Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling ~108,762 model year 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape* compact SUVs with a Panoramic sunroof because the rear liftgate hinge covers can fall off. Ford back in the summer of 2012 had dismissed the problem as minor involving few vehicles. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.
“A hinge cover that detaches while driving can create a distraction and/or road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning.
Chronology
July 2021: Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) initially investigated this concern and concluded in July 2021 that it did not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. This conclusion was based on the assessment that the involved parts did not represent a significant risk while falling to the ground or while in the roadway due to low and small size; detachment did not affect vehicle operation; and the number of vehicles in the field susceptible to the issue was believed to be low.
May – July 2025: Ford’s Field Review Committee approved safety field service action 25S53 (NHTSA 25V347) on May 16, 2025, to address the risk of front door B-pillar trim applique detachment on a population of 2016 – 2017 model year Explorer vehicles. Following this approval, Ford’s Product Development Body Exterior team began a read-across exercise to identify potential trim detachment risks on all other Ford and Lincoln vehicle lines from model year 2010 forward. During this exercise, the team identified additional warranty claims citing liftgate hinge cover detachment on Escape vehicles. This read-across exercise included a new assessment of the risk factors that considered recent road hazard safety recalls and continued discussions with NHTSA on road hazard risks. On July 22, 2025, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened a new investigation into these claims.
August – September 2025: Through August and September 2025, CCRG and the Body Exterior team conducted an extensive review of warranty data in an effort to determine the population of potentially affected Escape vehicles. To better understand drivers for periods of increased detachment occurrence rate identified among vehicle production dates, the team reviewed part design and installation process changes over the course of production. While no relevant part design changes were identified, the team did identify multiple supplier quality items and manufacturing process changes at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant that coincided with the periods of increased detachment occurrence rate. Many of the manufacturing process changes were focused on the DUAL LOCK™ attachment feature, specifically on ensuring full engagement during installation, and inspection of the cover once installed to ensure proper installation.
October – November 2025: In October 2025, the Body Exterior team attempted to replicate the detachment failure mode via track testing utilizing multiple securement combinations of the three attachments that retain the cover to the roof. It was observed that vehicles could experience cover detachment with the hinge cover’s push pin and roof ditch clip secured but the DUAL LOCK™ patch unsecured.
November 2025: Based on an increased understanding of the failure mode, two periods of elevated detachment occurrence rates linked to unique root causes were identified, one affecting certain 2020 – 2022 model year vehicles and the second affecting certain 2025 model year vehicles.
As of November 21st 2025: Ford is aware of 1835 warranty claims of the liftgate hinge cover becoming detached from vehicles produced for the U.S. and U.S Federal territories markets in the affected periods. These warranty claims were received between November 16, 2019, and August 25, 2025. Ford is aware of one NHTSA VOQ potentially related to this concern. On November 21, 2025, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk are not expected to be mailed until 15 January 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Road Hazard – Ford Escape Liftgate Hinge Cover Recall
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling ~108,762 model year 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape* compact SUVs with a Panoramic sunroof because the rear liftgate hinge covers can fall off. Ford back in the summer of 2012 had dismissed the problem as minor involving few vehicles. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.
“A hinge cover that detaches while driving can create a distraction and/or road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning.
Chronology
July 2021: Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) initially investigated this concern and concluded in July 2021 that it did not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. This conclusion was based on the assessment that the involved parts did not represent a significant risk while falling to the ground or while in the roadway due to low and small size; detachment did not affect vehicle operation; and the number of vehicles in the field susceptible to the issue was believed to be low.
May – July 2025: Ford’s Field Review Committee approved safety field service action 25S53 (NHTSA 25V347) on May 16, 2025, to address the risk of front door B-pillar trim applique detachment on a population of 2016 – 2017 model year Explorer vehicles. Following this approval, Ford’s Product Development Body Exterior team began a read-across exercise to identify potential trim detachment risks on all other Ford and Lincoln vehicle lines from model year 2010 forward. During this exercise, the team identified additional warranty claims citing liftgate hinge cover detachment on Escape vehicles. This read-across exercise included a new assessment of the risk factors that considered recent road hazard safety recalls and continued discussions with NHTSA on road hazard risks. On July 22, 2025, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened a new investigation into these claims.
August – September 2025: Through August and September 2025, CCRG and the Body Exterior team conducted an extensive review of warranty data in an effort to determine the population of potentially affected Escape vehicles. To better understand drivers for periods of increased detachment occurrence rate identified among vehicle production dates, the team reviewed part design and installation process changes over the course of production. While no relevant part design changes were identified, the team did identify multiple supplier quality items and manufacturing process changes at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant that coincided with the periods of increased detachment occurrence rate. Many of the manufacturing process changes were focused on the DUAL LOCK™ attachment feature, specifically on ensuring full engagement during installation, and inspection of the cover once installed to ensure proper installation.
October – November 2025: In October 2025, the Body Exterior team attempted to replicate the detachment failure mode via track testing utilizing multiple securement combinations of the three attachments that retain the cover to the roof. It was observed that vehicles could experience cover detachment with the hinge cover’s push pin and roof ditch clip secured but the DUAL LOCK™ patch unsecured.
November 2025: Based on an increased understanding of the failure mode, two periods of elevated detachment occurrence rates linked to unique root causes were identified, one affecting certain 2020 – 2022 model year vehicles and the second affecting certain 2025 model year vehicles.
As of November 21st 2025: Ford is aware of 1835 warranty claims of the liftgate hinge cover becoming detached from vehicles produced for the U.S. and U.S Federal territories markets in the affected periods. These warranty claims were received between November 16, 2019, and August 25, 2025. Ford is aware of one NHTSA VOQ potentially related to this concern. On November 21, 2025, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.
Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk are not expected to be mailed until 15 January 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.