Potential Door Latch Recall

[hybridbear]

I looked through pages and pages of topics in this section and didn't see anyone complaining about door latch problems. It appears that some owners are having door issues and the NHTSA is investigating.

 

http://driving.ca/ford/auto-news/news/nhtsa-investigating-ford-fusion-lincoln-mkz-over-door-latches

 

 

U.S. safety regulators are adding two models to an investigation of Ford door latches that may not close properly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it’s including the 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ midsize cars to the probe of latches on 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta compact cars. The investigation now covers nearly 486,000 cars.

Ford and the agency have received 640 complaints about the latches. Some said the doors opened inadvertently while the cars were moving. Two injuries were reported. Ford also has received nearly 1,100 warranty claims.

The agency began investigating the Fiesta in September, and found out that the other two models have the same latches. Investigators will analyze complaints and see how often the problem happens to determine if a recall is needed.

Ford said it is co-operating in the probe and that any customer who experiences a latch problem should contact a dealer.

[acdii]

They are including them because they use the same parts, but it doesnt say if any Fusion owners had warranty work done, and reads as if its only the Fiesta that has the problem. If thats the case, chances are its just an improper installation on the Fiesta.

 

Fingers crossed thats all it is. I dont recall anyone complaining of their doors opening while driving here, and you bet there would be if it happened.

[Cobra348]

The Fiesta latch issue was in early models ... MY 2011 and some of the pre-production Faction demo cars. I'm on Fiesta Faction boards and the latch issue has a sticky post in the Service Bay section. I have not heard of issues with MY 12+ of that model.

[mmarreco]

I had this problem, rear passenger latch failed and door opened while driving. However my VIN was not included on the recall and I had to pay for a new latch. Very infuriating! :rant2: I filed a complaint with the NHTSA, hopefully they will expand the recall.

[hermans]

I had this problem, rear passenger latch failed and door opened while driving. However my VIN was not included on the recall and I had to pay for a new latch. Very infuriating! :rant2: I filed a complaint with the NHTSA, hopefully they will expand the recall.

What was your build date? Mine was 11/12 and I had it done before I sold it. I'm still waiting or the power steering rack to be included in a 2010 Fusion I owned. Make sure you hang on to your invoice.

Edited June 15, 2016 by hermans

[jeff_h]

What was your build date? Mine was 11/12 and I had it done before I sold it. I'm still waiting or the power steering rack to be included in a 2010 Fusion I owned. Make sure you hang on to your invoice.

 

I think all of the 2013 VINs were included, as they started builds of the 2014 around June didn't they? I just got the below from the NHTSA site...

SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

[mmarreco]

What was your build date? Mine was 11/12 and I had it done before I sold it. I'm still waiting or the power steering rack to be included in a 2010 Fusion I owned. Make sure you hang on to your invoice.

My build date was 6/13. I checked both NHTSA and Ford website and even took the car to a Ford dealer to plead my case. No luck as it is now out of warranty and not on the recall list.

Replacing those latches is a major pain in the neck (and expensive - the dealer wanted $230 for the part, I found it for $120 online), so I am hoping my car is recalled soon because I am not looking forward to doing that job anytime soon!

Edited June 23, 2016 by mmarreco

[mmarreco]

Now Ford has recalled the C-Max, Escape, Focus and Mustang. Still no new recall for the Fusion however they will do a one-time fix to any other Ford vehicle affected by this problem as part of a "Customer Satisfaction Program"

 

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 4, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is issuing a regional safety recall in North America for approximately 830,000 2013-15 Ford C-MAX, 2013-15 Ford Escape, 2012-15 Ford Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, and 2014-16 Ford Transit Connect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states to replace side door latches.

In the affected vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break. This condition typically will prevent the door from latching. In certain situations where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Because the rate of reports is higher for vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures and solar loading, this recall is focused primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

Ford has identified one reported accident and one reported injury that may be related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include those built:

• 2013-15 C-MAX – Michigan Assembly Plant, April 19, 2012 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2013-15 Escape – Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 19, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2012-15 Focus – Michigan Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Lincoln MKC – Louisville Assembly Plant, Dec. 4, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Mustang – Flat Rock Assembly Plant, May 28, 2014 to April 30, 2015
• 2014-16 Transit Connect – Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Feb. 1, 2016

The approximately 828,053 vehicles affected include 766,682 in the United States and federalized territories and 61,371 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace side door latches at no cost to the customer. In addition, Ford will launch a corresponding customer satisfaction program for vehicles outside the scope of this recall. If a vehicle exhibits a broken door latch, Ford will provide a one-time replacement at no charge for the life of the vehicle.

[hermans]

There is an existing recall that was done on my 2013 FFH and MKZh.