Door Problem Forces Ford to Call Back 2.1 Million Cars
» Posted July 13, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
It is safe to say that car doors that can open unexpectedly while vehicles are moving pose something of a safety hazard. Ford Motor Co. is hoping that the third time is a charm, as the company issues yet another recall to try to fix that very problem on some 2.1 million cars.
The recall covers a variety of cars, vans and sport utility vehicles in the U.S. The company told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a latch problem is to blame for doors that could spring open at any time while impacted vehicles are moving.
“A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ‘door will not close’ condition,” Ford said in a NHTSA defect notice. “If the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts to shut the door, there is a potential the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.”
The recall includes 2012 to 2015 Ford Focus, the 2013 to 2014 Ford Fusion, the 2011 to 2014 Ford Fiesta, and the 2013 to 2015 Ford Escape and C-Max. Also covered are the 2013 and 2014 Lincoln MKZ, the 2015 Lincoln MKC, the 2015 Ford Mustang and the 2014 to 2016 Ford Transit Connect van.
This is the third time that Ford has recalled cars to address the issue. At least some of the cars that were recalled may not have been properly repaired, the company said.
“Some dealership technicians did not properly replace or correctly replace all the door latches,” Ford told NHTSA.
The company will tell owners of recalled vehicles how to self-inspect the cars and check online to see if their latches were properly replaced. Owners can also take their cars to a dealership for inspection.
Meanwhile, Marketwatch reports that Ford is also recalling more than 300,000 F-150 pickups over a brake fluid leak that has already been blamed for a handful of crashes.
Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney
The good news for car owners in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some important protections against being saddled with a defective vehicle. The law generally requires a car manufacturer to make certain repairs to a vehicle while it is under warranty and to buy the car back if the company is unwilling or unable to make those repairs.
If you are a car owner or lessor who is grappling with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work aggressively to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
