The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting an investigation into Ford Escape SUVs after receiving complaints of defective door brackets.
The NHTSA notes that 118 consumers have submitted reports claiming that the doors opened while they were driving. On 25 occasions, vehicle occupants sustained injuries related to the issue. Although the regulator has yet to reach a decision, Ford could be potentially forced to repair the 346,000 Escape SUVs made between 2020 and 2021 if a recall is deemed necessary.
The NHTSA currently suspects the problem to be caused by loose door check brackets, writing: “Continued use of the door may result in a dislodged door check which may cause a failure to latch when closed, failure to open, and/or inadvertent opening while driving.” Whether normal wear and tear over the course of two to three years could cause the issues reported by drivers remains unclear.
Auto safety regulators have remained heavily active since the start of the year. Given the sudden surge in vehicle innovation, a result of the automotive industry’s newfound interest in electrification, the workload is only likely to increase. In June, the NHTSA began a probe into another Ford SUV, the Explorer, over reports that the vehicle could unexpectedly roll away while parked. The agency has also repeatedly butted heads with Tesla over safety concerns arising from self-driving cars, a conflict likely to become more prominent as the technology becomes more commonplace. Last month, a government report found that the NHTSA regularly failed to conclude its cases in a timely manner, posing risks to drivers.
