Body problems of the 2017 Ford Escape - part 2

Follow up to report 10959814. Vehicle dealer was able to replicate problem with door latch mechanisms. Dealer adjusted latches, no other condition with latches reported to customer at this time. Repair completed on 3/20/17.

I leased a new 2017 Ford Escape with 379 miles on the odometer. When I drove the car home from the dealership, it made a creaking noise by my right ear when I pulled into the driveway. I took vehicle back to the dealer a few days after the noise was made. The dealership and a Ford engineer tried several times to fix the noise with no results. The noise remained. I was in contact with Ford motor company about this problem. Ford sent the same engineer back to work on this vehicle. This time the dealership and Ford engineer found that there were missing welds below the front left door. The missing welds were where the rocker panel welds to several other pieces of steel, under the vehicle. This repair took almost 2 weeks to complete. The vehicle only made the noise when the body would flex(going from the street into the driveway or similar places that made the body flex). The area welded looks like it is a structural part of the vehicle. I still am concerned that the structure of this vehicle is not as it was designed to be. I also worry that there could be many other 2017 Ford Escapes that might not be as strong as they should be in the event of a collision.

Door latch handles on all exterior door positions do not return to the 'home' position, possibly due to a weak or poorly adjusted latch handle spring or other part of the mechanism. When in this position it is possible to push the door open without touching the release handle for the door latch(ES). This can create a hazardous situation when the door opens unintentionally while the vehicle is under way, or an occupant leans on the door, causing it to open without warning. This condition is replicable on all doors, and could be replicated while vehicle is moving, but safety dictated that we not attempt a moving replication of the hazard. A comparison to a different vehicle of the same model, but one year older indicates the door latches on the subject vehicle require extra force to operate. Vehicle is scheduled for diagnosis and repair at an authorized Ford dealer on 3/20/16.

Front passenger door latch periodically does not close - making it impossible to securely close door. So far, it has corrected itself sometimes after one or two attempts and often after many more. So far, this has only happened when car was parked (not yet moving). I noticed there is a recall underway for Fords up to year 2016 (so far).

Several times after pulling the exterior door handle to open the door and get in after the car has been parked, the exterior door handle has stuck in the open position, so that when you get inside and try to shut the door, the door does not latch shut and the door is not securely closed though you may think it is.

Coolant leak and dealership advises that the car will need a engine replacement to fix the problem. The car is constantly running rough and misfiring. Driving this vehicle this way put myself and small children at risk that there could be a potential complete engine failure while driving the vehicle. This problem has been confirmed by the dealership and I was told that Ford motor CO. Is aware of the issue however they are choosing to do nothing about it or offer a recall. The vehicle has been inspected by a police officer who has driven the car and states that the car is very unsafe to drive. The car has a current "check engine" light constantly on. The car also has severe issues with the electrical system and sealing system. The car is now leaking water when it rains through the front windshield. Also, the pain is chipping in areas all over the vehicle.