2017 Ford Escape: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jun 22, 2025 · Body · DE

Rear passenger door latch no longer latches. The broken pawl spring tab in the door latch causes the door to not be able to close and stay closed. I see recalls for Ford Escapes up to 2016. It has not been inspected by a dealer No warning lamps or any other indicators before it broke. I shut the door and heard a crack sound. I inspected the latch myself and see a part is broken off.

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Locks · 99,430 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front passenger's side door latch had failed, and the door failed to securely close. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,430.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Locks · 55,000 miles · NC

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 federal safety agency hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2022 · Body · WA

Door latch failure, would not lock. had to get back door latch replaced cost $1600 for something that was Ford’s fault.

Filed Mar 21, 2021 · Body · 58,600 miles · TX

On two occasions, one stationary, one in motion, the tailgate will come unlatched. I have the automatic tailgate without the foot activated sensors. When stationary the door will not latch even though it looks all the way closed. The horn will chirp twice telling me a door is open and that's the only way I know it's not closed. While driving the door does not open all the way, but I will get a warning in the gauge cluster telling me the tailgate is open. It doesn't open all the way. I have only experienced it one time while in motion at low speeds, less than 40 MPH, and I pulled over safely. To fix the problem I have to stand behind the tailgate when it's closing and push the door closed. The vehicle has never been in an accident either.

Filed May 12, 2020 · Locks · 300 miles · ND

Tl* the contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2017 ford escape. The contact stated while his mother was driving 65 MPH, the contact stated that his son opened the driver's side rear door after pulling on the handle twice. The contact stated that prior to the failure the door lock was in the locked position. The contact secured the door with a rope. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Body · 34,000 miles · WV

All doors will not latch automatically. When opening from the outside the latch will remain extended and not spring back into place. If unnoticed when you get into the seat and close the door it will either bounce back or seem to be closed only to open with a small amount of pressure against it.

Filed Mar 6, 2018 · 10,000 miles · WA

Rear door handles do not automatically retract after opening from the outside, causing the door not to latch when closed, although it appears to be closed. Exterior handles must be manually retracted after opening in order for the door to latch closed. Vehicle was stationery. This happens every time the door is opened and has happened several times. Both rear doors are affected. Front doors do not appear to be affected.

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Body · OR

Follow up to report 10959814. Vehicle dealer was able to replicate problem with door latch mechanisms. Dealer adjusted latches, no other condition with latches reported to customer at this time. Repair completed on 3/20/17.

Filed Mar 11, 2017 · Body · 300 miles · WA

Front passenger door latch periodically does not close - making it impossible to securely close door. So far, it has corrected itself sometimes after one or two attempts and often after many more. So far, this has only happened when car was parked (not yet moving). I noticed there is a recall underway for fords up to year 2016 (so far).

Filed Mar 9, 2017 · Body · OR

Door latch handles on all exterior door positions do not return to the 'home' position, possibly due to a weak or poorly adjusted latch handle spring or other part of the mechanism. When in this position it is possible to push the door open without touching the release handle for the door latch(es). This can create a hazardous situation when the door opens unintentionally while the vehicle is under way, or an occupant leans on the door, causing it to open without warning. This condition is replicable on all doors, and could be replicated while vehicle is moving, but safety dictated that we not attempt a moving replication of the hazard. A comparison to a different vehicle of the same model, but one year older indicates the door latches on the subject vehicle require extra force to operate. Vehicle is scheduled for diagnosis and repair at an authorized ford dealer on 3/20/16.

Filed Oct 10, 2016 · Body · 500 miles · NY

Several times after pulling the exterior door handle to open the door and get in after the car has been parked, the exterior door handle has stuck in the open position, so that when you get inside and try to shut the door, the door does not latch shut and the door is not securely closed though you may think it is.