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TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Power Liftgate - Bounce Back And/Or Will Not Cinch To The
Fully Closed Position

19-2056
28 February 2019

Model:
Ford
2017-2019 Escape
Issue: Some 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may exhibit a power liftgate that bounces back and/or will not
cinch to the fully closed position. This may be due to the adjustment of the striker, latch, liftgate margins,
flushness and/or striker wings. To resolve the condition, adjust the striker position or the striker wings.
Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct this condition on vehicles that meet all of the
following criteria:
• 2017-2019 Escape
• Power liftgate
Warranty Status: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage Warranty/ESP
coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are
determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
Labor Times
Operation
Time
No.

Description
2017-2019 Escape With Power Liftgate: Verify If The Power Liftgate Will Fully Cinch
Closed While Being Pulled Up On And Adjust Striker Following The Service
Procedure (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)

192056A

0.3
Hrs.

2017-2019 Escape With Power Liftgate: Verify If The Power Liftgate Will Fully Cinch
Closed While Being Pulled Up On Measure And Adjust Striker And Liftgate Margins
And Flushness Following WSM Procedure. Includes Time Measure And Adjust The
Striker Wings If Necessary (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)

192056B

1.2
Hrs.

2017-2019 Escape With Power Liftgate: Verify If The Power Liftgate Will Fully Cinch
While Being Pulled Up On, Measure Liftgate Margins And Flushness Following The
WSM Procedure (No Adjustment Needed) And Adjust The Liftgate Striker Wings
Following The Service Procedure If Necessary (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor
Operations)

192056C

0.4
Hrs.

Repair/Claim Coding
Causal Part:

54404A42

Condition Code: 07
Tool List
Drive

Tool Name

1/4"

Ratchet

1/4"

Torque wrench

1/4"

Power tool

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Drive

Tool Name

1/4"

8 mm socket

1/4"

Torx® T25
Block of wood
Hammer
Adjustable wrench
Trim tool
Vernier caliper

Service Procedure
1. Using the power function, close the liftgate with all windows up, all doors closed, heating, air
conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system off and the engine running. Does the liftgate fully cinch
closed when slightly pulled up by hand?
(1). Yes - proceed to Step 2.
(2). No - proceed to Step 3.
2. Adjust the striker as follows.
(1). Place a shop towel or similar material around the striker to protect the plastic trim panel.
(2). Adjust the striker gradually by placing a small block of wood or similar material on the striker and
then hit the wood with a hammer to move the striker forward (into vehicle) no more than 2 mm (0.079
in.).
(3). After each striker adjustment, retest the power liftgate close function without pulling on the liftgate
and inspect if the liftgate now fully cinches closed.
(4). If the liftgate still does not fully cinch closed further adjustment is required, move the striker no
more than 1 mm (0.039 in) forward (into vehicle) at a time then retest and inspect for proper liftgate
operation.
(5). When the liftgate fully cinches closed without assistance, no further adjustment is required and the
repair is complete.
3. Using the power function, close the liftgate with all windows up, all doors closed, HVAC system off and
the engine running. Does the liftgate bounce back and/or the striker is not latching in the first position?
(1). Yes – inspect the liftgate for striker to latch alignment, liftgate margins and liftgate flushness. If any
measurements are found to be out of specification adjust as required. Refer to Workshop Manual
(WSM), Section 501-03. Proceed to Step 4.
(2). No – this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 501-03 for normal diagnostics.
4. Using the power function close the liftgate with all windows up, all doors closed, HVAC system off and
the engine running. Does the liftgate bounce back and/or the striker is not latching in the first position?
(1). Yes - proceed to Step 5.
(2). No - the repair is complete.
5. If equipped, remove the package cover. (Figure 1)
(1). Slide the package cover to the side to release from the loadspace trim panel.
(2). Lift up on the package cover to disconnect from the loadspace trim panel.
(3). Remove the package cover.
Figure 1

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6. Remove the luggage compartment floor covering. (Figure 2)
Figure 2

7. Remove the loadspace storage compartments. (Figure 3)
(1). Remove the retainers.
(2). If equipped, disconnect the audio digital signal processing module (DSP) electrical connectors and
remove the storage compartments.

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Figure 3

8. Position the liftgate weatherstrip aside. (Figure 4)
Figure 4

9. Remove the liftgate scuff plate trim panel. (Figure 5)
(1). Remove the retainers.
(2). Remove the pin-type retainers.

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(3). Release the clips and remove the liftgate scuff plate trim panel.
Figure 5

10. Remove the striker bumpers by hand from the liftgate striker. (Figure 6)
Figure 6

11. Using an adjustable wrench, bend the striker wings outward equally on each side until 84.5-85.0 mm
(3.327-3.346 inches) is attained. If bent too wide, gradually bend each side in equally to attain this
distance. (Figures 7-8)
Figure 7

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Figure 8

12. Install the striker bumpers to the liftgate striker.
13. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

© 2019 Ford Motor Company
All rights reserved.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge,
tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or
provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do
not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the
Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended
Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was
current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supersede this information with updates. The most recent
information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

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