NHTSA Campaign 04V602000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Dec 20, 2004 · 262,113 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

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.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD ESCAPE 2001 262,113
FORD ESCAPE 2002 262,113
FORD ESCAPE 2003 262,113
FORD ESCAPE 2004 262,113
FORD ESCAPE 2005 262,113

Source: NHTSA Campaign 04V602000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.