Help requested- how to open stuck charge port door

[Sparke]

Morning- my charge port door has been finicky, and yesterday it didn’t open. Tried again last night and now. No luck. Have tried pressing in all kinds of places, in al
Kinda of ways, on the door. Have tried pushing a bit from the inside while pressing on the door. Nothing. Any suggestions? I will call my dealer tomorrow to alert them. I have about 200 miles of range so if I don’t use my car, I can get to the closest dealer who is 170 miles away. First glitch since bringing her home in November. This is a big one though- if I can’t charge, I can’t use my car. @fordmotorcompany

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[Benjamin Kegele]

I remember someone saying that he removed all the trims and was able to get on to it somehow from the inside. Will be sure a pain to get to it...
I would also try to use a plastic wedge, or a trim tool to see, if I can pry it open somehow. I would be worried about paint damage though. I understand that your closest ford dealer is pretty far away. Frustrating, that there is no easier fix.

@Ford Motor Company Do you have any idea? this person is now stranded, luckily, they still have a little bit charge.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Morning- my charge port door has been finicky, and yesterday it didn’t open. Tried again last night and now. No luck. Have tried pressing in all kinds of places, in al
Kinda of ways, on the door. Have tried pushing a bit from the inside while pressing on the door. Nothing. Any suggestions? I will call my dealer tomorrow to alert them. I have about 200 miles of range so if I don’t use my car, I can get to the closest dealer who is 170 miles away. First glitch since bringing her home in November. This is a big one though- if I can’t charge, I can’t use my car. @fordmotorcompany

Hi there. Can you send us a DM with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into this for you.

 

[Sparke]

Done

 

[Sparke]

Wow. I just received a phone call and the @ Ford Motor Company representative was no help. Now I understand why so many people are upset with customer service. She said I need to have my car towed- all 170 miles- and then I would be reimbursed.

 

[jsteach]

My best suggestion would be to used the palm of your hand and push very hard on the door where
the latch is located, maybe do that a few times. Hoping it releases the latch.

 

[Sparke]

Thanks. Have done that so many times… argh. I may just have to carefully Try to open it.

 

[bp99]

Wow. I just received a phone call and the @ Ford Motor Company representative was no help. Now I understand why so many people are upset with customer service. She said I need to have my car towed- all 170 miles- and then I would be reimbursed.

How was that no help? I understand that it's not the answer you wanted nor overly convenient, but what could they possibly do beyond offering reimbursement for getting the car to a service shop? They need a technician/mechanic to look at the problem and diagnose the issue. That's not going to happen over the phone.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Sounds like the latch mechanism is either jammed or broken. That’s pretty much an issue that can only be solved by new parts. ??

 

[AzCoronaDog]

I was going to write some sort of bad joke, but then I figured Karma would read it and my charge door would jam too!

I am a big DIY guy, so I would be looking to see if there is any way to get to it from under the panel in the frunk as somebody else suggested.

Ours seems to have the opposite problem, as my wife reports the charge door has come open on the freeway a couple of times on her commute. It has not happened to me, but she rarely lets me drive it! LOL

 

[Carlos J. Marrero]

Update please!!

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Another option to consider would be to carefully deconstruct the charge port door. It's a small part that can be replaced. Just be sure not to damage the body or the charge port.

You can try to drill out the lock. Or make a hole to be able to pull on the door. Or cut a hole big enough to charge through.

Fairly high risk option but you could then drive it to the dealer instead of having it towed

 

[SteveGol]

Benjamin is correct. There is a way to get at it from the frunk. 2 pieces of trim need to come off.

 

[Sparke]

How was that no help? I understand that it's not the answer you wanted nor overly convenient, but what could they possibly do beyond offering reimbursement for getting the car to a service shop? They need a technician/mechanic to look at the problem and diagnose the issue. That's not going to happen over the phone.

I get what you are saying. And there is a big difference in supporting a customer through a very difficult situation, made more severe due to living so remotely. Yes- I didn’t get the answer I wanted from them. And, a dealer worked with me and helped me, and guess what? Instead Olof being towed 170 miles, I was given extra tips that worked! The door came open. Now it won’t close but heck- I can charge and tape it shut, and get it fixed. So. There are ways.

 

[tannerk89]

I get what you are saying. And there is a big difference in supporting a customer through a very difficult situation, made more severe due to living so remotely. Yes- I didn’t get the answer I wanted from them. And, a dealer worked with me and helped me, and guess what? Instead Olof being towed 170 miles, I was given extra tips that worked! The door came open. Now it won’t close but heck- I can charge and tape it shut, and get it fixed. So. There are ways.

What was the tip that ended up working?

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