Ford Recalling 358,857 Focus Cars

Mon Feb 7,10:04 AM ET U.S. National - AP

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. is recalling 358,857 Focus cars because their rear passenger doors may not latch properly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites) and a Ford spokeswoman said Monday.

The recall affects four- and five-door Focus cars from the 2000-2002 model years. All of the vehicles were sold or are registered in 20 eastern and midwestern states and the District of Columbia, NHTSA said.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...auto_recalls_1

 

I guess that's a qualified reason to recall them.

 

Nothing says fun like flying out your back door at highway speeds!

 

Make : FORD
Model : FOCUS
Year : 2000-2002
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V030000
Recall Date : JAN 31, 2005

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES/DOORS:LATCH

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 358857

Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Consequence:
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

 

I am not shooting the messenger
Was the consequence REALLY NECESSARY?? in this recall statement? 'peronsal injuries could occur' no sh*t schirlock!

Sad there are people that need to be told that bad things can happen to you if you fall out of a moving vehicle! :cry2: Time to thin the herd?

 

I can see the sticker now; "In order to prevent your door from opening all by itself, you must purchase this Ford brand lubricant and use it on a regular basis or you could die."

 

Good sales pitch