2012 Ford Escape: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Body, Locks · OR

Both rear doors will not open from inside or outside. No way to take panels off to repair. Can’t exit in case of emergency.

Filed Jun 5, 2021 · Locks · CA

I have a 2012 Ford Escape what the following safety malfunctions: 1. Driver's door malfunction Driver's side door failed to close/ door lock ajar even when system door lock buttons are pressed. It first began June 1, 2021. Door flung open while driving my daughter and I to school and work. I had to hold the door with one hand and steer with other as this door malfunction posed a safety risk to others. Hazzard light for door is functioning when key is in ignition. I am in the process of contacting the dealer for inspection and servicing the vehicle. 2. Steering wheel Steering wheel will sometimes lock up while key is in ignition not long after starting the car. When this vehicle is in this state of condition, it will not turn and steering wheel will lock in place while in motion. Began noticing more of the occurrences February 2021. When this happens I immediately restart the vehicle by turning it off and then on again to unlock the steering wheel to drive in the direction I need to go. This poses a major risk to others, my 9 year old daughter and myself because it happens unexpectedly while car is in motion which can lead to incidents. 3. Check engine light Car warning light appears and then disappears on any occasion. Vehicle has passed Smog testing, and has previously been serviced for tune-up and oil changes regularly. (December 2019)

Filed Jun 24, 2020 · Engine, Locks · 118,685 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the driver door was closed but failed to latch securely. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the door latch fractured and needed to be replaced. The door latch was replaced however, the mechanic was unable to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,685.

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · 87,000 miles · OR

Driver side door alert remains on even when door is shut tight and locked. Upon placing key in ignition dinging is constant and door icon stays on. When locking vehicle upon exiting with remote it double beeps and interior lights stay lit. When locking doors with power locks from inside vehicle they automatically pop back unlocked. Door latch is fine. Door will shut and lock through manual means. Sensor is misreading actions and causing safety issue with unable to lock doors while driving.

Filed May 30, 2017 · Body · 72,000 miles · AZ

Drivers side door latch broke not allowing me to close the door at all. After contacting ford motor company I was informed there was a recall for this model years 2013-2015 not including 2012. I had the part replaced at a ford dealership since this is a safety issue and the door would not close at all and I needed a bungee cord to keep it closed as well as holding it with one hand while driving. I have the part that was broken in my possession at this time. I am wondering if the part in my car could have been a piece that was part of the recall. I discovered this broken latch while out shopping when returning to my car and had to drive home holding my drivers side door. The stickers on the part identify the part as follows. 4171412002 12023 17:45 037 6761 bl84 78219a65 ab31t3 fd lh mic (stone) module for ford 32

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Electrical · 63,000 miles · KY

Auto door lock / unlock feature will not allow a person in the rear passenger seat to escape from a disabled vehicle if the driver is incapacitated.

Filed Oct 4, 2016 · Body, Locks · 90,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford escape. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the front driver side door opened independently without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the door locked once it was at the residence, but the failure recurred. The contact notified the local dealer and an independent mechanic who stated that the door was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · IL

Escape has several issues, ford dealer would review and report no issues found. I bought my escape new in july 2012. 1.front seat belts - within the first year (jan-feb 2013 - mileage 5,000ish) the front seat belts wouldn't retract 90% of the time, causing them to be caught in the door and/or keep the door from closing. 2.transmission issues (nov 2015 - mileage 50,000ish ) it shifts badly, sometimes acts as if its in-between gears when your breaking or accelerating. When you release the peddle and reapply, it'll reengage but at times will lurch again. 3. Electrical issues - jan 2016 -(mileage 65,000ish) the dome light won't go out, had to pull the fuse lights so I could drive unobstructed. 4.(4/18/16 - mileage 73,000ish) rear door will not open. Apparently this is a known issue based on what find on line and here. In the past I did notice water 'drips' on my back window, I couldn't figure out where the 'leak' was, again dealership reported no problem found, I just thought it was pooled water that found its way in when I had opened up the rear window/door. But based on what I see on line and here the rear door not opening is due to the 'water drip/leak' issue because of the rear window gasket isn't correct thickness or something along those lines. Back door not being able to open is a safety concern, all doors should be accessible in case of an emergency. 5. Same date as 4,door locks not locking when you put SUV into gear. 6. April 26, 2016 ' pulling out of my drive way ' no incline what so ever ' warning light for steep grade light came on. 6. Truck will be taken back to a different ford dealer ship, for all the above issues, I don't care to return to where I bought it, since their service department is very dismissive despite me providing reports from this website to them about the various issues I came in with.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · 36,127 miles · NJ

The rear door will not open. When I looked online to see what the problem may be I noticed many complaints of same problem. The rear latch sensor needs to be replaced. The sensor goes bad from water damage caused by leaking rear window. This is a safety concern because all the doors of a vehicle need to be able to open in the event of an accident or emergency exit from vehicle. I feel this should be added to the recall list of rear latch problems that ford has been experiencing.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 25,000 miles · AR

On 6 different occasions door latches have been replaced, I've been locked in and out of my vehicle, my husband is disable and I had to climb through the hatch back to get doors to open. I am afraid of this vehicle, if it catches fire will I get out? I feel this is a death trap and ford is just soothing my feathers to keep me happy. Also, I was sold a 2012 4x4 vehicle, however my vehicle is not a 4x4. The dealership said they go by VIN, this one is wrong!