2014 Ford Escape Recall: Latches/locks/linkages (NHTSA 20V331000)
NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall affecting 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Below is the official summary, the risk involved, and the fix available at no cost.
What does the official notice say?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk if left unaddressed
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Manufacturer's fix (remedy)
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
Additional notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
How to check if your vehicle is affected
Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the official NHTSA lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this campaign (number 20V331000).
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA recall 20V331000?
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
What happens if this recall isn't fixed?
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Is the repair free, and how do I check my VIN?
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in campaign 20V331000.
Source: public NHTSA data, campaign 20V331000, reported on 08/06/2020. This content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and was compiled from official data with editorial review prior to publication.
