Ford Recalls 2.3 Million Vehicles for Faulty Door Latches and Defective Brakes

Ford is recalling more than 2 million vehicles in the United States because the doors could open while the vehicle is in motion and 290,000 F-150 trucks for a separate issue involving the brakes. According to a CNN news report, these vehicles have been recalled before for faulty door latches. But Ford says some dealers that claimed to have fixed this issue during the previous recalls either did not do the work correctly or did not do it at all. Ford has not named any specific dealerships.

The recall includes a range of models including some Ford Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, C-Max and Mustang cars, Escape SUVs, Transit Connect vans and Lincoln MKZ sedans and MKC SUVs with model years ranging from 2011 to 2016. The problem results from a door latch part that could crack especially when it is subjected to high heat. This could make the door difficult to close properly. As a result, the door could pop open suddenly and unexpectedly when the car is moving.

Details of the Recall

Ford has said it is not aware of any injuries or crashes from doors coming open. But, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) public safety reporting database contains a number of complaints of these doors suddenly popping open while vehicles are in motion. This recall follows two prior recalls in 2016 and 2017 involving the same problem. If you believe that your vehicle may be included in this recall, please contact your local Ford dealer. Owners will also have the option to inspect the door latch date codes on their vehicle and submit those codes online to check if the recall work needs to be done.

In addition to this recall, Ford also recalled more than 290,000 F-150 pickup trucks with 3.5-liter V6 engines. In some of these vehicles from the 2014 to 2017 model years, a leak in the brake master cylinder may weaken the front brakes. The truck in such cases may emit an audible warning chime inside the cab and show an alert in the dashboard message center. So far at least seven car accidents and two injuries have been reported as a result of this brake issue.

If You Have Been Injured

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses you have sustained including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to offer you more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/12/business/ford-recall-faulty-door-latch/index.html