Ford Escape probed in U.S. following reports of doors opening while driving, minor injuries

WASHINGTON — U.S. auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into older model Ford Escape compact crossovers after reports of an alleged safety defect that could cause the front doors to inadvertently open while driving.

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation said it received 118 reports from U.S. vehicle owners alleging "a failure of the spot welds in the check arm bracket for the front doors" on 2020-21 Ford Escape vehicles, according to a federal document released Tuesday.

There have been 25 reports of minor injuries and one report of minor property damage related to the issue, the agency said.

Many of the owners reported hearing a "popping noise" when opening the front doors. NHTSA said continued use of the doors could result in a dislodged door check, potentially causing a failure to latch when closed, a failure to open or inadvertently opening while driving.

About 346,000 Ford Escape vehicles from the 2020-21 model years could be affected.

Ford Motor Co. spokesperson Maria Buczkowski said the automaker is "working with NHTSA to support their investigation."

In at least two complaints, vehicle owners also reported issues with driver's side window function.

"At 38,000 miles, I got into my car and it started making a popping noise on my driver's side door when opening it and closing it. After further inspection, I cannot put my window down, and I am met with resistance whenever trying to open or close it," one complainant said.

"At around 66,000, I opened the driver's side door and noticed a popping sound when the door opened wide. I investigated a bit and noticed the door welds were cracked. The workaround was to only open the driver's side door slightly when entering and exiting. Then the driver's side window began behaving erratically," another complainant said.

"It could lower slightly but then may roll back up or roll all the way down without human intervention. Then, if it was lowered, you may have to help guide the window back up to the top using the button and pulling the window upward."

NHTSA has opened the preliminary evaluation to further investigate the issue and determine whether the alleged defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety.

Most NHTSA investigations start as preliminary evaluations, in which agency engineers request information from the manufacturer, including data on complaints, injuries and warranty claims. The manufacturer also can present its view regarding the alleged defect and may issue a recall.

After the evaluation, NHTSA will either close the investigation or move into the next phase. If a safety-related defect exists, according to NHTSA, the agency may send a "recall request" letter to the manufacturer.

So far this year, Ford has reported the most U.S. vehicle recalls of any automaker. As of Tuesday, it had issued 31 recalls affecting more than 4.1 million vehicles, according to NHTSA data. Some of those vehicles may be part of more than one recall campaign.