I have a 2012 ford Escape with the auto door lock function but child safety door lock mechanical switch disabled. One cannot open the rear passenger doors from the rear passenger compartment. driver must unlock from the driver's door. What if someone had an accident and could not operate the unlock button from the driver's door? Those in the back are now trapped! This is a huge safety concern for us. What is Ford's remedy?

 

Some models had a switch on the "driver's side rear door" to permit that function to be enabled or disabled. If you have the owner's manual it should explain if that feature is present.

 

Nope...no switch. We went through the entire programming scenario again and enabled the auto lock and auto unlock feature. We found in order to unlock the rear passenger doors we had to .....put the vehicle in park, turn off the engine and then open the driver's door. Of course we could open the door using the unlock switch on the driver's door. Our point here is...lets say the driver for some reason has become incapacitated and is unconscious. Now anyone in the back seat is trapped. If this were due to a fire or say submerged in a stream....then death is a real possibility.

 

I'm sure all and any scenario was thought of by the auto industry for the "child safety door lock" feature. The feature is designed to automatically deactivate the "child safety door lock" feature in the event of any type of accident.

 

I have tried to get an answer via several Ford dealers....however those I talked with were at a loss for words. I have sent an e-mail to Ford's customer service and awaiting for their response.

 

To add to this conversation......the "child safety door lock " feature is a mechanical locking device usually located inside the rear door jambs. the "auto lock / unlock" feature is a "programmed" function and totally separate. I hope someone can shed some light on this subject soon. Thanks to all in advance....please reply.