Ford Escape Hood Release
The hood release on a Ford Escape is located on the driver’s side door near the driver’s left leg. Click here to learn how to use it.
Written by Zachary Morgan
Reviewed by Alita Dark
To release the hood on your Ford Escape, you need to find and pull the hood release lever on the front driver’s side door. You’ll have to pull the lever out completely, let it retract, and pull it again to fully open the hood.
Even if you don’t know the first thing about
car repair
, you should still know how to open your Ford Escape’s hood because chances are you’ll need to do it sometime or another. Being able to pop your hood is essential for everything from changing your oil
to jump-starting a dead battery, but actually getting it open can sometimes take a tiny bit of know-how.Luckily, we put together this useful guide to opening your Ford Escape’s hood! In this article, we’ll cover the location of your hood release lever, how to use it properly, and which
car insurance
you need to get it repaired. Let’s get started!Where is the hood release on a Ford Escape?
You can find the Ford Escape hood release latch on the front driver’s side door panel next to the speaker.
This is where the hood release latch is located on most vehicles, near the driver’s left leg. Look for a latch or lever with a picture of a car with an open hood on it. One thing to keep in mind is that, unlike certain other vehicles, the Ford Escape does not feature a secondary hood latch.
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How to open the hood on a Ford Escape
- Pull the hood release lever all the way out.
- Allow it to completely retract.
- Pull the lever all the way out again.
- Open your hood and pull up the prop rod, placing it in the designated notch on the underside of your hood.
Now you should be free to access the engine compartment. If you’re still having trouble, though, you might be dealing with a broken or defective hood release lever.
What if the hood release latch doesn’t work?
Unfortunately, since the Escape does not feature a secondary latch between the hood and grille, there isn’t an easy way to get the hood open if the lever stops working.
Some Escape owners have recommended getting someone to pull the lever repeatedly while another person thumps the center of the hood with their hand. Ideally, the hood is supposed to pop open after a few blows, but it doesn’t always work. You could try wiggling under the car and using a screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to fiddle with the latch and cables, but at that point, you’re better off having the latch repaired.
How to repair the Ford Escape hood release
Regardless of whether the issue is the fault of a
defective latch
or a broken cable, it’s in your best interest to have an experienced mechanic perform the repair. These parts can be pretty tricky to swap out on your own unless you have prior experience.The good thing is that it’s not a very expensive fix—it costs roughly between $150 and $180. You can make sure that genuine OEM parts are used in the repair by going to a Ford dealership, but you might have to pay a little more if the repair isn’t covered under warranty. Going to an independent mechanic can save you some money, but it might not be necessary if you already have
OEM coverage
on your car insurance policy.If your hood latch was damaged in a
fender bender
or other accident and you have collision coverage
, you can file a claim for the repairs. If you only have basic liability insurance
, you’ll have to pay for those repairs yourself."This app is all about savings!Jerryjust saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.
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