2020-21 Ford Escape SUVs investigated after 25 injuries from doors that open while driving

Most drivers don’t pay too much attention to the doors of their cars … unless they open when they shouldn’t.

In the case of Ford Escape SUVs built in 2020 and 2021, the situation has become problematic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday that it’s received reports of 25 minor injuries to occupants when doors opened while the vehicles were in motion because they failed to securely latch when closed.

According to NHTSA documents, the agency has had 118 complaints that spot welds in a door assembly bracket can fail. Many Escape owners contacted by the agency reported a popping noise when they opened the door as a bracket begins to separate. The agency says continued use could dislodge the door, and it could fail to latch when closed.