Vehicle recall 04V602000 · December 20, 2004

2001-2005 Ford Escape

Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Consequence: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on March 31, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Notes: Ford recall no. 04C09.CUSTOMERS can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 04V602000
Reported to NHTSA: December 20, 2004
Filed by: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufacturer campaign: 04C09
Owner notification: March 31, 2005
Vehicles potentially affected: 262,113
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

Recall 04V602000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Ford Escape (2001-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001

Has your Ford been repaired?

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