Recall 14V239 affects 581,986 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles for door-handle misalignment that lets doors open while driving. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 581,986 2013-2014 Escape vehicles because misalignment between the exterior door handle and door outer panel can make doors hard to close or let them open while driving. An unexpected open door can allow an unrestrained occupant to fall from the vehicle and increase injury risk; the repair at a Ford dealer will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The exterior door handle on the 2013-2014 Ford Escape is the part you pull to release the door latch from outside the vehicle. The outer door panel holds that handle in position, so the handle and latch hardware line up when the door closes. When everything is aligned, the latch can fully engage and keep the door shut while the vehicle is moving.
In affected Escapes, Ford says the exterior handle and the outer door panel were assembled out of alignment. That misalignment can interfere with normal door closing. The door can feel difficult to close, and a door that has not latched correctly can open while the vehicle is being driven.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the door feels hard to close, does not sound fully latched, or opens after being shut, treat that as the defect already showing itself.
Who's affected?
Spans 2 model years, 2013 and 2014, with the same door body-structure component named for each.
| 2013 Ford Escape | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Escape | body structure |
| Units affected | 581,986 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A door that opens unexpectedly can let an unrestrained occupant fall from the vehicle, increasing injury risk. If your 2013-2014 Escape is included, make sure each door is fully latched and schedule the recall inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Ford Escape is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 14V239 to ask about the free exterior door-handle mounting inspection.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford sent one, and ask the dealer to correct any door-handle mounting misalignment that lets a door close poorly or open while driving.
- Drive with every door fully latched until the repair is complete, and stop using any door that does not close securely.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the exterior door handle mounting and the fit between the handle and the outer door panel. If the handle is misaligned, the technician corrects the mounting so the door closes and latches the way it should. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The remedy record does not describe a separate reimbursement process for owners who already paid for a related door handle repair.
Timeline
| May 7, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V239?
Recall 14V239 covers 581,986 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles with exterior door handles that were misaligned during assembly. The defect can make a door difficult to close or let it open while driving. Ford dealers inspect and correct the door-handle mounting for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Ford Escape is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Escape is included in recall 14V239. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference Ford recall number 14S03. The dealer will inspect the door handles and correct the mounting at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers inspect and correct the exterior door-handle mounting for free, including parts and labor, for every VIN included in recall 14V239.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving. Ford's filing says an unrestrained occupant can fall from the vehicle, increasing injury risk. If a door is hard to close or does not latch normally, arrange dealer service promptly.
What if I bought my Ford Escape used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013-2014 Ford Escape is included, then give Ford recall number 14S03 to the dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V239000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-392-3673 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V239 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V239000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →