NHTSA Complaint #11515755 — 2020 FORD ESCAPE

The spot welds where the check arm bracket attaches at the left (driver's) door failed, causing the internal bracket to detach. Once the bracket was no longer attached to the door, any attempt to close the door was met with resistance. Instead of the check arm receding into the door, the act of closing was trying to have both the check arm and bracket recede into the door; the bracket was at risk of damaging the window mechanism. In order to close the door, I have cut the check arm and removed the bolt that attached it to the car; leaving the small portion of check arm with the bracket to drop in the door slightly. Failure of this part is a safety risk to the driver, as it holds the door open; any gust of wind or even gravity will close the door unexpectedly on a person trying to exit the vehicle. The part is currently available for inspection. I have brought it to the dealer and provided them with SSM 51050 that I found regarding the known issue. As it was out of warranty they suggested I see an auto body shop. Searches online yield many complaints and even videos showing the issue. There were no warning lights. Shortly before failure the door presented with a creaking sound; 3 additional closings and it failed.