What 325 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Escape Gas

My door was on the recall list and needs to be replaced. I had this checked in September 2024 but the doors are on back order. My broken door is a safety hazard it is not shutting properly and has been known to open.

NHTSA ODI 11632523

Front driver side door started clicking when open/closed about a month ago. Yesterday it started a loud thumping sound when opening. Upon closer investigation, four points where the door was welded to the arm mechanism have broken. The loud thumping sound is the internal brace hitting the door.

NHTSA ODI 11631796

Bracket that holds the check arm device in the door broke loose. It is not properly welded to the inside of the doors. Left stranded because the door could not be shut. Other 2021 Ford Escapes are having the same issues. There was no warning to indicate a problem with the door.

NHTSA ODI 11614725

A cracking sound is heard when the door is opened and closed

NHTSA ODI 11612494

Door check bracket pulled off of door.

NHTSA ODI 11592934

Hinge on the front driver door the weld broke loose

NHTSA ODI 11592027

I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING THE GAS HANDLE TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE [XXX] CARBON SENSOR [XXX] THINGY IS BROKE. also the door keeps clicking and TikTok says it’s going to fly off. Now that’s just dangerous. The clicky thingy is from something that is welded into the door keeps coming off of the car. Now that’s [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11591851

The driver side door arm has broken without any reason. It now makes noise opening and closing and will need to be replaced

NHTSA ODI 11589065

The spot weld on my driver's side door looks like it broke where the hinge is attached to the door. It's going to totally break.

NHTSA ODI 11586555

Driver front and passenger front door hinge making noise when opening. Dealer said a lot of people are having same issue but ford is only fixing ones when door falls off when weld completely breaks. Reported this to dealer on11/11/23 and was finally notified to bring in last week. Was called yesterday and was told not fixing at this time as was not safety issue yet! They said if door falls off it would warrant repair. This vehicle is under new vehicle warranty still and should be fixed without question. Dealer agrees it needs fixed but says they cant do anything now. I consider a possible door falling off a safety issue! Hopefully my wife does not fall out of vehicle when door falls off and maybe she can put it in back and drive to dealer with no door. Way to go ford!

NHTSA ODI 11585632

The drivers door check arm welds are breaking, the plate is flexing inside the door.

NHTSA ODI 11585067

The door check system on the door assembly of my Ford Escape is attached to the body by three spot welds. These welds have come off and now it's not possible to lower the window. I was in a situation where I had to open the door to adjust my mirror on the road, this is very unsafe and can lead to accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11584241

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was veering to the right independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where both the rear shock absorbers and the front passenger's side tie rod were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH and at higher speeds, the front end of the vehicle was vibrating. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle while parked, she opened the hood and noticed that the engine was vibrating significantly while running. The contact stated that she also noticed a black stain on the engine. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Casco Bay Ford1 (213 US-1, Yarmouth, ME 04096), and to a third dealer Rowe Ford Sales (91 Main St, Westbrook, ME 04092), where the contact was informed that the engine was operating as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11583337

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when the driver's side door was opened, there was a loud banging sound coming from the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fractured spot welds. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581880

The six Spot welds on the driver's door failed. The hinge bracket is adrift inside the car door. Al Packer Ford body shop advised this is a common flaw in the 2021 Ford Escapes.

NHTSA ODI 11576535

Door check bracket detaches from driver door when it is opened.

NHTSA ODI 11575539

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the door. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door check arm attachment point. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11574572

Door hinge on driver side front came loose from weld and won’t let window roll down.

NHTSA ODI 11574582

Driver door check arm bracket welds broke in door

NHTSA ODI 11574185

2-23-24 2021 Gold Ford Escape AKA Goldie Purchased on 9-8-23 Miles at purchase 52,771 Current miles 60,054 2-22-24 I took my daughter to school. When I opened the door I heard a popping noise. When I got home I open the door to get out and heard a really big POP. I went to close the door it would not close. I gently tried to close it again but stopped because I did not want to make matters worse. I called a tow truck. The driver mentioned the door check was broken. My service advisor called to let me know the spot wells and door check were broken. She said I would have to take to body shop. My escape is available for inspection. I took Goldie to body shop 2-23-24. Advisor took pictures and said he would have technician look at it then send me a quote. He mentioned I may need a new door. After getting home I did some research on my issue and found the same issues are currently ongoing and Ford has not announces any solution to the matter. After reading the same issues online I am afraid to drive it. Anything faulty with a door in unsafe for me, my family and anyone else. The dealership I purchased Goldie from is aware of the issue because I had it towed there. The body shop knows because I went there and he took pictures to get me an estimate. The popping noise is all I heard which began est. 2-20-24

NHTSA ODI 11573545

The door stop arm welds broke on drivers side door. I cannot roll down window because of this failure on ford's part.

NHTSA ODI 11573668

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. That contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side door. Upon inspection of the door, the contact observed that the door hinge attachment point had detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where an inspection confirmed that the seem weld inside the door had fractured and the door needed to be replaced. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23013 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,584.

NHTSA ODI 11573347

The door has spot wells I believe 6 total. 2 of them so far have come undone. It is the welds for the bracket that keeps the door from flying open.

NHTSA ODI 11571090

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to close the front driver’s side door, but the door check arm was no longer attached to the door, preventing the door from closing securely. No warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11570315

Driver door hinge is not welded properly and when driving door opens

NHTSA ODI 11569098