Ford Escape Latches/locks/linkages Problems
Owners have filed 319 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Ford Escape across 22 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (65). The words owners use most often: “side door” (32% of reports).
- 319latches/locks/linkages complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Side door: mentioned in 101 of 319 complaints (32%)
- Front driver: mentioned in 44 of 319 complaints (14%)
- Rear passenger: mentioned in 31 of 319 complaints (10%)
- Failed latch: mentioned in 16 of 319 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?
Based on 198 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 319 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Ford Escape latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year
| Model year | Latches/locks/linkages complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Escape | 2 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2022 Escape | 1 | 0% | 5,000 |
| 2021 Escape | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 Escape | 54 | 3% | 46,884 |
| 2019 Escape | 1 | 0% | 57,598 |
| 2018 Escape | 5 | 0% | 64,800 |
| 2017 Escape | 8 | 0% | 43,000 |
| 2015 Escape | 29 | 3% | 98,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 65 | 3% | 84,500 |
| 2013 Escape | 65 | 2% | 69,500 |
| 2012 Escape | 8 | 1% | 90,000 |
| 2011 Escape | 4 | 0% | 25,745 |
| 2010 Escape | 2 | 0% | 64,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 1 | 0% | 53,900 |
| 2008 Escape | 2 | 0% | 100,850 |
| 2007 Escape | 3 | 1% | 35,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 6 | 0% | 75,700 |
| 2004 Escape | 4 | 1% | 36,758 |
| 2003 Escape | 7 | 1% | 116,500 |
| 2002 Escape | 20 | 2% | 53,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 30 | 3% | 117,000 |
| 2000 Escape | 1 | 20% | 64,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
Latches/locks/linkages
Model years: 2013
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
Risk: The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Problem: Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the door was unlocked was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed of an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The contact was informed that an…
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway, the front passengerâs side door suddenly came ajar. The "Passenger Door Ajar" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side door failed to latch or lock as intended. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH the front driver side door erroneously came open and would not remain shut and secured. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V602000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where other recall repairs were…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have latches/locks/linkages problems?
No. NHTSA has 319 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape latches/locks/linkages?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “side door”, in 101 of 319 complaints, followed by “front driver” (44).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
See all Ford Escape problems.