Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
04V602000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)26211303/31/2005MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY12/20/200412/23/2004571206
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryIf the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesFord recall no. 04c09.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
09/03/2012800001
 1 - rear latch is not working properly. when it is cool outside, the latch will not open the back door. 2 - window latch has rusted causing the rear window to detach from the hinge. not that i am bidder, but at 37k miles, the transmission blew.... i discussed this issue with both ford and my dealership ([xxx]). both companies stated they could not help me and that it was on me to pay to correct. i explained that this was due to a lack of using proper supplies. they could not have cared less. i am hoping you can have them look into this because i would really hate to be involved in a car accident cannot use the rear as an exit.... information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
05/21/200990000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. the contact stated the rear lift-gate latch was inoperable. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated nhtsa recall campaign id number: 04v602000 component: latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch was related, however, the vin was not included. the contact will be responsible for the repair cost of $85. the manufacturer was notified and stated the recall did not include her vin. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
06/05/20091
 2002 ford escape rear door and window are jammed and cannot be opened also rear drivers door. *tr
04/18/2009430001
 I have a 2002 ford escape, and the rear liftgate window hinges have broken 3 times [one twice, the other once] in normal operation. this is exactly the problem covered by safety recall 04s20, but ford says that only applies to cars built in different assembly plants, not mine. *tr
12/08/2006209/15/2003
 I own a 2002 ford escape xlt. since i purchased it in the fall of 2003, at different times both the front passenger door and rear passenger door have gotten stuck where i haven't been able to open them from either the inside or outside of the car. the first incident was the front passenger door, which was fixed when i took it to the dealership. the second incident occurred 4 days ago and the dealer is going to charge me a $300 diagnostic fee to figure out the problem. in addition, periodically, my trunk will not open no matter what i try. then the next day, it will. this has occurred at least 15 times since the fall of 2005. in all of the incidences listed the doors were unlocked, although we tried to lock and unlock them several times to see if it was just stuck. *nm
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
03/10/200659000111/26/2002
 Left rear door is jammed closed. will not unlock either electrically or manually. door cannot be opened from inside or outside handle. dealer is very helpful but unable to repair. ntsb lists several of same complaint but ford has no solution. only one remaining exit from rear and likely to fail from same design and trap passengers. *jb
12/30/2005535000
 Rear driver side passenger door latch failed and door will not open. *jb
04/01/200437000110/17/2001
 Rear passenger door will not open from inside or outside. spoke with ford numerous times, they will not pay the $400 to be fixed. i am only 1,000 miles over warranty.*ak
02/26/200537000210/15/2001
 Twice in the past year door latches and/or electric locks have failed such that the door could not be opened from inside or outside the vehicle. first the rear passenger door failed and was repaired at a cost of $400.00 now the front passenger door is experiencing the same symptoms. this could be a considerable safety risk in the event of an emergency. *jb
06/18/200433000101/15/2002
 Passenger rear door was locked shut. would not open manually or otherwise. i had problem repaired (still under warranty), but now i think the other rear door and the passenger front door are having the same problem. it is starting to not open on the first try and this is very frusterating and unsettling. *ak
07/16/200429085508/31/2002
 (1) ce light on again (2) vehicle not idling normally (3) vehicle not advancing from stop (4) smell burning oil from engine when shut off, no visible oil leak found on driveway (5) rattling from lf of the vehicle; speed of rattling directly related to speed of vehicle; starts around 25 mph. (6) driver's seat lurches forward on seat track when braking; only occurs with lighter weight drivers. took vehicle to dealer for the 30k mile check & to have them address the issues. dealer did the following - issues 1-4: engine covered in oil upon inspection (second oil leak); leak coming from the front cover & oil pan; dealer replaced the front cover gasket, oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, upper intake gaskets, & oil filter; dealer replaced the catalytic converter monitor sensor again (third time). issue 5: dealer did not hear noise coming from lf of vehicle; heard a noise from rear of vehicle; rear lift door latch loose; adjusted/oiled it. issue 6: dealer compared problem with other escapes; found to be a normal condition of power driver's seat to have some play in it (this is very unsafe; seat lurches forward 1-2in when braking; i'm a short female who struggles to sit a min of 10in from the sw for the ab; moving me forward another 1-2in in a crash is not safe). dealer found front brake pads/rotors below specs; stated that this is normal for 30k miles; seems too soon. several complaints filed to nhtsa regarding excessive brake/rotor wear. vehicle was in the shop 7/16-7/23. dealer paid for a rental car (third time). picked up vehicle & drove it off lot; heard rattling from the lf of vehicle. took it back & a mechanic went on test drive with me, heard noise. took it back & inspected vehicle together. i noticed the weather stripping on the left side of the windshield was cracked & detaching from vehicle. had been slapping outside of apillar when driving, making noise. dealer stated they would order new part & i'd have to bring vehicle back again to have it installed. *ak
05/08/200153000109/09/2002
 Failure of passenger door to open on a 2002 ford escape xlt suv preventing passenger from being able to exit vehicle. no keylock exists and there is no way to open the door from the inside or from the outside . *ak
04/28/20043
 Consumer took vehicle to dealer' 4-5 times for the same problem. when she turned on heat or air conditioner there was a mildew smell. each time that consumer took vehicle dealer she was told to come back if the light came on. dealer could not reproduce the foul smell. also, while driving a wind came into vehicle even though the doors were closed. in addition, consumer complained about the steering wheel making noise. dealer will not look at vehicle again. however, consume complained vehicle was falling apart, and the dealers will not help.*ak
03/28/20041
 The doors on the escape will lock themselves closed. they will not open from the inside or outside. this has happened 2 times to this car on 2 different doors. what if they locked in an emergency situation and we could not get out?*ak
04/23/2002
 Passenger's side door cannot be opened manually. please provide any further information.*ak
01/15/2002111/01/2001
 Rear door is jammed closed. will not unlock either electrically or manually. door cannot be opened from inside or outside handle. dealer advises no known fix and was unable to repair. dealer also advises that other rear door may fail at any time, potentially trapping rear seat passengers in vehicle. dealer reports ford knows there is a problem and is working on a fix but cannot provide a timeline for when a repair can be made.*ak
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE - LOCK
06/26/2002206/01/2002
 Purchased 1st escape 6-7-02. dealer had car 7 out of 11 days for stalling issues and hatch lock repairs. dealer replaced vehicle with new vehicle 6-25-02. on 6-26-02 new car stalled on deceleration between 6-6:30 pm going down an incline on pearl drive. on 6-28-02 car stalled on deceleration around 5 pm on downhill slope of muegge road. the car was placed in neutral and restarted immediately. contacted ford customer service to request all tsb tests be performed by dealer at one time to remedy issues. am currently waiting to hear back from ford to see if that is going to be possible.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - HOOD - LATCH
01/01/20021
 Purchased 2002 model in 10/01. three weeks after purchase steering wheel was shaking and loose. took it back to the dealer, the bolt in the steering wheel came unsecured. this was not due to customer error. in 2002 the upholstery over the cargo space was hanging down from the ceiling and the foam insulation around the door (rear passenger side) was not secure. i took it back to the dealer. the upholstery was fixed but the insulation was not. at that time i also complained about the vehicle idling when in neutral. it was also vibrating and skipping when in neutral. the vehicle was allegedly checked with not problems. i took the vehicle back to have the insulation repaired and the idling/vibration checked. the insulation was repaired. the mechanic stated the car was fine. idling/vibration and skipping stills continues today. also the vehicle slipped out of gear and crashed into a pole. the car was not on and the doors were locked. i tried to unlock it with the remote key. it continued to make a clicking sound but the door would not open. the locks would sometimes jam. have taken the vehicle numerous times for these problems. not correction. at this time i am collecting all documentation and submitting a letter to ford motor company.