autoevolution
 

Ford Fiesta Door Latch Problem Determined the NHTSA to Probe 205,000 Vehicles

2014 is the year of record recalls, but it's also one of the most busy years ever for the peeps over at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The most recent large-scale investigation the agency got on its hands is one that started after Ford Fiesta owners started complaining about unlatching doors.
Ford Fiesta 1 photo
Photo: Ford
According to the regulators, the NHTSA's mailbox has received at least 61 reports of glitchy latches to date, all of them involving the cute supermini. A dozen complaints describe that the doors opened by themselves when the car was moving although they've been properly shut before engaging drive.

However, most plaintiffs tell that the Fiesta's doors failed to latch completely. The NHTSA notes in its investigation summary that one injury was caused "by a consumer being struck by a door that rebounded after attempting to close it." The victim was an 83-year old granny that hurt her left hip.

We're not sure if it's funny or potentially dangerous depending on the given situation and person, but something needs to be done. Moreover, owners that went to fix this problem to Ford were charged by service departments between $350 and $500 to replace a door latch assembly, which is a rather frustrating matter for those plaintiffs.

Some cases note that the 'door ajar' warning light on the dash appeared. Last but not least, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announces that Fiestas from the 2011 to 2013 model years are being investigated over the previously mentioned problem. If regulators don't like what they find, that would translate to a safety recall covering an estimated 205,000 cars.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories