The affected models, C-Max, Escape, Focus, Lincoln, Mustang and Transit, were sold in the United States (766,682) and Mexico (61,371).
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Ford states that the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break on the affected vehicles.
The automaker said “the rate of reports is higher for vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures and solar loading”, so the recall will prioritize vehicles in states that meet those conditions.
Ford said there was one reported accident and one reported injury that may be related to the defect.
The recall comes in wake of a faulty door latch plaguing company’s cars, which could lead to unlatching of the doors while driving and send the door open, becoming a potential threat to lives of motorists and vehicle occupants.
Ford is recalling almost 830,000 vehicles registered in North America to replace their side-door latches.
Dealers will replace all latches in the recall states.
What Owners Should Do: Ford has not yet announced an owner notification schedule. The door latches on the affected models will be replaced by the company at no additional cost and as part of a customer satisfaction campaign has also offered one-time latch replacement on their vehicle in case the component breaks even if it has not been a part of the recall.
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As mentioned above, Ford has limited the USA portion of the recall to 16 states with “higher ambient temperatures and solar loading”: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon and Washington. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned owners of the cars to get them repaired as soon as they get a notice from Ford.
