NHTSA Complaint #11113565 — 2018 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR LIFTGATE OPENED AND A SUITCASE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WENT TO RETRIEVE THE SUITCASE FROM THE ROAD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE SUITCASE BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S REAR AREA, THE HATCH STARTED TO CLOSE ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO HOLD THE HATCH OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO TO THE URGENT CARE FACILITY AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAVIDSON FORD OF CLAY, 3690 NY-31, LIVERPOOL, NEW YORK, (315) 860-009), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S FOOT MUST HAVE BEEN TO CLOSE TO THE REAR FOOT SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED THE HATCH TO CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,709.