Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% | 5,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 54 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% | 58,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 0% | 85,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 29 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 2014 | 65 | 3% | 85,000 miles |
| 2013 | 65 | 2% | 72,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 0% | 39,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% | 85,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% | 54,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% | 148,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 0% | 82,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% | 118,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 2% | 53,000 miles |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% | 65,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained whiplash and neck pain. The contact had not sought medical attention. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the front driver's door, the door failed to open immediately. The contact then pushed the door with excessive force and it opened. The contact related the failure to Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2246. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's grand-son met her at the scene and assisted her with driving the vehicle to a nearby autobody center. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired for air bags and door failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the front driver's side door was replaced by the dealer after the door failed to open. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, continued driving straightforward and nearly drove off the road into a wooded area. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a wheel alignment was performed. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and related the warning light to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the purge valve had failed, and the purge valve was replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the lift gate latch did not function as intended. The contact stated that the lift gate failed to unlock and open. In addition, the contact stated that due to the failure, it took about 20 minutes or more to get the lift gate latch to unlock and open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 44,600.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after arriving to her destination and attempting to open the liftgate, the contact was unable to open the tailgate. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the Auto START/STOP feature did not have a fail-safe feature which prevented the tailgate from operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,830.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the tailgate unexpectedly opened while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate could be opened manually or with the key fob. The contact stated that depressing the button near the tailgate failed to open the tailgate. The tailgate ajar message was displayed. The contact attempted to resolve the issue by changing the key fob battery, but the issue persisted. The local dealer was contacted and suggested a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage on the VIN and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after parking and turning off the vehicle, the interior lights remained illuminated, due to the liftgate failing to close securely. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she replaced the key fob, lubricated the door latch assembly, and replaced the battery; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the contact was made aware that the vehicle warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear driver's side door failed to latch after multiple attempts to close the door. The contact wrapped a bungee cord around the door and drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and the vehicle was left overnight for the repair. The next day, the contact received a call from the dealer and was informed that the recall repair would not be performed due to damage to the front driver's side door. The contact stated that an attempt to break into her vehicle had been made months prior which left a hole right above the front driver side door handle. The contact was provided an estimate to repair the damage so that recall repair could be performed. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) was previously performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that upon locking the vehicle with the key fob, the horn engaged as confirmation that the vehicle was locked securely. However, after his daughter became aware that someone had broken into the vehicle, she discovered that the vehicle could be opened by pulling the door handle after it had been locked with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side door latch and lock assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). …
Related recalls (4)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages
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.
Remedy: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Door Latch Failure
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (65), 2014 (65), 2020 (54), 2001 (30) and 2015 (29) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape door lock & latch problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 20V-331 (latch, Jun 8, 2020); 16V-643 (latch, Sep 6, 2016); 13V-085 (latches/locks/linkages, Mar 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (120 mentions), followed by the hatchback/liftgate › lock (12).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.