2001 Ford Escape: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Body · 200,000 miles · IL

Ford will not recall. Serious danger!!!over the past ten years I have had problems with latches and doors not opening correctly and being stuck for weeks. This time I can not open drivers door which is very dangerous in case of an accident or fire. I am a mechanic and took inside of door apart and can verify that actuator for door lock is working and does unlock. The latch is not springing open. I did a search on the internet and have seen thousands of complaints for this same problem and ford will not recall the 2001 model for this problem. They recalled 2014 and 2015 for 200,000 plus vehicle because of door latch. The other people that are complaining have gotten no satisfaction from ford and are asking what will it take for a recall a death or 10. We called ford and all they said is there is no recall and to bring it in so they can fix it(120 dollars an hour labor). I read some of the ford experts online communicating with customers on what to do at cost chat and they came down to chiseling post or cutting with dremel tool or destroyin other door to get at it. Basically alot of money that I do not have to fix. I have owned cars 50-60 years older and have never had problems opening doors or even hearing of problems. Where are they getting these engineers from these days. Sos to any one out there that can help.... My wife has to get in through passenger side. This along with the plastic intake manifolds upper and lower and the vacuum leaks they always get to make for a fine idle. Always happens stationary, in motion etc etc...

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · 100,000 miles · CA

The two passenger side doors will not open from the outside. You can open the doors from the inside but the handles on the outside no longer function to open the doors. In addition the rear hatch has a mind of its own. Most of the time the hatch can be opened even when the car is locked and on occasion the hatch will not open for a couple of days. It is a mystery as to when it is going to do this. I could open the hatch and an hour later not be able to open it at all. Because of this anyone can gain access to my car at any time if they so chose. When I called ford in 2015 they told me I am not part of any recall.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Locks · 162,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v602000 (latches/locks/linkages). The contact stated that the interior and exterior door latches failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and filed case number: cas-5153286. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Electrical · TX

This model has chronic issues with electrical components not working. Frequent complaints of dome light, door locks, and radio not working, alternator/battery replacements. It seems to drain frequently and either not have enough power, and/or blow fuses. This is a very frequent occurrence and would seem fit for a recall.

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Electrical · MO

Window and door lock on rear driver side quit operating causing me to have to use duct tape to keep window in place and door closed. This has now been fixed at substantial cost. Now am unable to use either door on passenger side. No problem with windows at this point, however, am unable to open either of the two doors. Quite inconvenient with other passengers, particularly where the front seat is involved...a little difficult climbing over the console area from the driver side to get to the passenger side and vice versa...back seating area not quite so bad...still inconvenient. Has there been a recall regarding this and/or anyone else experiencing the same problem? Right now, the expense to repair is honestly more than it's worth to resolve the issue...another $400-500+. Does make it particularly difficult to load and unload---especially the children!

Filed Sep 22, 2012 · Electrical · OH

Rear left passenger door will not open. 5th door will not open. Windshield wiper in rear stopped working.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Brakes, Locks · 198,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the contact attempted to brake and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that the rear hatch, rear passenger door and the driver side doors would not open. The contact was able to lock and unlock the doors however. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 227,691 and the failure mileage was 198,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Airbags, Brakes · HI · fire

Submission from re ford escape 2001 safety recall notice 11s24 *tgw the consumer received a recall notice in jan 2012. The notice indicated she would be informed when the parts required to complete the safety recall would become available, which wouldn't be until the second quarter. The vehicle caught on fire while parked, which was prior to the recall, but was quickly extinguished. Shortly after the fire, the vehicle was repaired. Several months later, the consumer was partly compensated by ford in the form of a check for $1900 accompanied by a document which stated by accepting the compensation, she would also be signing off on any other claims. The consumer also stated the catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, master cylinder, wiring harness, ABS, brake line booster, power steering rack and pinion, tie rods, intake manifold as well as the air bag were all replaced. The steering column would freeze, the rear passenger door handle fell off, rendering the door unstable, the coolant light illuminated, the oil pan needed to be replaced, the air condition stopped working and the rear shock were leaking.

Filed May 23, 2012 · Body · 87,400 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that he went to open the trunk door and it would not open. The contact stated that when it is hot outside the door failed. When the weather got cooler, the door opened. The contact also stated that the rear driver side door also failed. The door would not open at all. The dealer was notified and informed him that he was responsible for the repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed that those components were not under recall. The failure mileage was 87400. Ap

Filed May 12, 2012 · Electrical, Locks · 87,500 miles · CA

The trunk-door (5th door) cannot be opened when exposed to the sun or temperature is warmer. It can only be opened after it is cooler in the evening or at night. The rear-left- passenger-door locked and cannot be opened at all. Now passengers have to enter and exit the vehicle using only one right-passenger-door. This is a safety issue and a very inconvenient one. Please help!!!!!

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Locks · MI

Opened doors to many times from outside of vehicle. Both drivers side and passenger side front doors will not engage when handles are pulled upward which before the mechanism failed allowed entry to the vehicle. Now when handles are activated neither door operates as it should. In other words the doors will not open. And yes, the doors are unlocked and still will not open. This occurs on each and every entry is tried. Or everytime I try to get in the vehicle. The consequences are entry has to be made by sticking my arm through a window that is down and engaging the inside door handle to open the door. I can not afford to make repairs on a item that should perform regardless of age but is properly maintained. Doors are a safety feature without properly working doors there is an accident waiting to happen. I called the 18003923673 spoke to [xxx] and he transferred me to ford credit, I think he thought it was time to finance a new ford. But if they would fix and engineer these doors/components correctly I wouldn't be writing this complaint.thanks for nothing [xxx] from ford. This in my mind is one of those hidden fix-it problems that puts money in fords pocket and takes it from mine. The ford service people at my ford dealer I called before this complaint, didn't have the foggiest idea of any 2001 ford escape door problems. Yea, right guys. This is a safety problem pure and simple. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 185,000 miles · TN

Door locks are not unlocking properly. Contacted ford about problem and they informed moe to put grease on it this did not work. Ford escape tries to quite while running. Replaced hoses and plugs and problems still going on. Ford escape does not want to stop properly with new brakes or brakes that are only 10 to 20 percent worn. Also leaks brake fluid have been unable to locate leak on escape.