If the trim strip at the top of your Ford Escape liftgate has gone missing, or you keep hearing wind noise you cannot place, there is a recall that explains it. Below is what the recall covers, what Ford will and will not do about it, and what happens if the repair does not hold.
Ford is recalling more than 100,000 model year 2020–2022 and 2025 Ford Escape vehicles after liftgate hinge covers were found to detach while driving.
Detached liftgate hinge covers can become road debris, creating a distraction for other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. Affected Ford Escape owners may hear wind or rattling noises while driving or notice that the liftgate hinge covers are not fully flush with their roofs.
Ford issued the recall after receiving 1,835 warranty claims related to defective liftgate hinge covers.
Ford mailed interim owner notification letters in January 2026, telling owners about the defect before a remedy was ready. Ford said a second letter would follow once the final remedy is available. If you received the first letter and never received the second, your vehicle is still waiting on the remedy, and it is worth asking the dealership to note that in writing.
Table of Contents
Ford Escape Liftgate Hinge Recall: Overview
- NHTSA ID: 25V829000
- Ford Recall Number: 25SD6
- Vehicle Population: 108,762
- Affected Models: Select 2020–2022 and 2025 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with the panoramic roof option.
- Safety Defect: Liftgate hinge covers may detach while driving, creating potential road hazards for other motorists.
- Recall Remedy: Ford and Lincoln dealerships will inspect the liftgate hinge covers and replace any missing or damaged components.
- Notification Schedule: Interim notices are expected to be mailed between January 15 and January 22, 2026. Follow-up recall notices will be mailed when the remedy is available.
Ford Escape Liftgate Recall Timeline
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) investigated the concern in July 2021 and concluded at the time that it did not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. The conclusion was based on findings that the hinge covers were small enough to not pose a significant hazard if they fell onto the ground or onto roadways, the detachment issue did not affect vehicle operation, and the number of vehicles susceptible to the issue was relatively low.
In May 2025, Ford issued Recall 25S53 for front door B-pillar applique detachment in certain 2016–2017 Ford Explorer vehicles. Following that recall, Ford expanded its review of trim detachment risks to all Ford and Lincoln vehicle model years from 2010 onward and uncovered warranty claims related to liftgate hinge cover detachment in Escape vehicles.
In July 2025, Ford launched a dedicated investigation into these Escape hinge cover claims. Between August and September 2025, Ford conducted an in-depth review of warranty data and identified multiple issues involving supplier quality and manufacturing processes.
In October 2025, Ford confirmed that a defect existed in the hinge cover attachment system and moved forward with defining the affected vehicle population. In November 2025, Ford finalized the vehicle population to be included in the recall.
As of November 21, Ford is aware of 1,835 warranty claims related to liftgate hinge cover detachment from November 16, 2019 through August 25, 2025, along with one NHTSA Vehicle Owner Questionnaire.
Can I Keep Driving My Ford Escape?
Ford has not issued a “Do Not Drive” order as part of the liftgate hinge cover recall. Owners are not warned to stop driving their vehicles while awaiting a repair remedy.
However, detaching hinge covers may create a road hazard for other drivers. If you notice warning signs such as wind noises or loose hinge covers, schedule a service appointment for inspection.
Ford Detaching Liftgate Hinge Defect Explained
For 2020–2022 Ford Escape models, the liftgate hinge cover attachments were not always fully engaged during vehicle assembly, which could allow the covers to loosen and detach over time.
For 2025 Escape models, the problem is different. The hinge covers can detach if the DUAL LOCK retention patch loses adhesion, even if the push pin and roof ditch clip were properly secure. According to Ford, this loss of adhesion is linked to a supplier quality issue and contact between the liftgate and hinge covers caused by covers being installed in an over-flush condition.
Ford Escape Liftgate Hinge Cover Symptoms to Watch For
Owners of Ford Escape vehicles may observe these symptoms of faulty liftgate hinge covers:
- Wind, rattling or vibration noises
- Misalignment of the liftgate hinge covers
- Loose or partially detached hinge covers
- Missing hinge cover components
If you observe any of these symptoms, schedule a service appointment to have the liftgate hinge covers inspected.
Why This Recall Only Affects Certain Ford Escape Models
The recall only applies to Ford Escape SUVs equipped with the optional panoramic sunroof, which alters how the liftgate hinge covers are attached to the vehicle. Escape vehicles without the panoramic roof are not included.
The 2020–2022 Ford Escape SUVs included in the recall were manufactured before Ford implemented updates to the liftgate hinge cover installation process. Approximately 102,350 vehicles from this population are affected.
The 2025 Ford Escape SUVs included in the recall had DUAL LOCK retention patches that were improperly adhered to the vehicle. Approximately 6,412 vehicles in this population are affected.
How much will my Ford Escape liftgate replacement cost?
If your Ford Escape is covered under this recall, the repair will be performed at no cost to you. Ford and Lincoln dealerships will inspect the liftgate hinge covers and replace any missing or damaged components free of charge.
If you have already paid out of pocket for repairs included in the recall, you may be eligible for reimbursement when the recall remedy is available. You may have to submit documentation in order to be approved for reimbursement.
Is my Ford Escape included in the liftgate recall?
You can confirm if your Ford Escape is under open recall by entering your Vehicle Identification Number into one of the following databases:
- Ford Recalls: Ford’s official recall lookup tool for open safety recalls.
- NHTSA’s “Check For Recalls” Page: A federal database that allows consumers to search for open recalls across all vehicle manufacturers.
You can also confirm your inclusion in the Ford Escape liftgate recall by calling Ford’s customer service department directly.
Ford Liftgate Recall: Contact Information
Ford Escape owners can obtain more information or report safety concerns using the following resources:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332
To inquire about recall eligibility or schedule a repair service appointment. - NHTSA Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236
To report other safety concerns and aid in auto safety investigation.
If your Ford Escape experiences ongoing safety or drivability issues, schedule a service appointment with an authorized repair facility.
How to Schedule a Ford Liftgate Repair Service
You can find an authorized facility through Ford’s online dealership locator and schedule a repair service by contacting the dealership directly.
When scheduling your appointment, be prepared to provide your VIN over the phone to confirm recall eligibility and any warranty information related to your vehicle.
Owners are encouraged to monitor recall notifications and address liftgate hinge cover issues promptly once a repair remedy becomes available.
What the Ford Escape Liftgate Recall Means for a California Lemon Law Claim
A recall and a lemon law claim are two different things, and owners mix them up all the time. The recall is Ford agreeing to fix one specific defect for free. It does not promise that the fix will work, it does not compensate you for the weeks your Escape spends waiting on parts, and it does not cover the other problems your vehicle may have.
California has a separate answer for that: the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the statute most people call the California lemon law. It applies when a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the use, value or safety of your vehicle and the dealership has had a reasonable number of chances to repair it. Days the vehicle spends out of service count toward the claim as well.
Three things that matter for an Escape owner:
- A recall repair is still a repair attempt. If the hinge covers come off again after the recall work, that repeat visit belongs in your file.
- Get a repair order for every visit, including the ones where the dealership finds nothing. Undocumented visits are the most common reason a strong claim goes nowhere.
- Accepting the recall repair does not give up any lemon law rights. You do not have to choose between them.
The full recall paperwork is public if you want to read it: the recall entry and the Part 573 report both sit in NHTSA’s database.
If your Escape keeps coming back for the same problem, our California lemon law guide explains how the repair-attempt standard works, the California lemon law FAQ answers what owners usually ask first, and a Ford lemon law attorney can review the repair history with you at no cost. A successful claim ends in a buyback or a replacement vehicle, and Ford pays the attorney fees, so it costs you nothing out of pocket.
Reviewed by Roger Kirnos, Managing Attorney, California State Bar No. 283163.
