NHTSA investigating Ford Fiesta for faulty door latches

Mon, 15 Sep 2014

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation on the 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta because the regulator has received 61 complaints from drivers, including one claim of an injury, about the doors on the subcompacts failing to latch and sometimes even flying open while driving. NHTSA has estimated that the problem could affect as many as 205,000 vehicles.

NHTSA is still gathering further data about the problem, but looking at the complaints so far, both front and rear doors appear to be potentially involved with the alleged failures. Among the reports, there are 12 claiming that the door opened while driving. Several also indicate the "Door Ajar" warning illuminating during this problem. The one purported injury happened when someone attempted to shut the door, and it bounced back.

Ford spokesperson Kelli Felker told Autoblog via email, "We are cooperating with NHTSA on this investigation, as we always do." Scroll down to read the report from NHTSA.

ODI RESUME

Investigation: PE 14-028
Date Opened: 09/11/2014
Investigator: Emily Reichard
Reviewer: Scott Yon
Approver: Frank Borris
Subject: Door Latch Failure

MANUFACTURER & PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Products: 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta
Population: 205,000 (Estimated)
Problem Description: The door(s) may fail to latch and/or inadvertently open.






FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY
	ODI	Manufacturer	Total
Complaints:	61	TBD	TBD
Crashes/Fires:	0	TBD	TBD
Injury Incidents:	1	TBD	TBD
Number of Injuries:	1	TBD	TBD
Fatality Incidents:	0	TBD	TBD
Number of Fatalities:	0	TBD	TBD

ACTION / SUMMARY INFORMATION
Action: A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) has been opened.

Summary:
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 61 reports concerning the door latches on model year 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta vehicles. Complainants alleged that the door(s) failed to latch, with several reports indicating that the "door ajar" warning light on the dash appeared. Of the reports identified, 12 allege that the door(s) opened after it was shut and the driver started their route. One injury was reported which was caused by a consumer being struck by a door that rebounded after attempting to close it.

ODI has opened this investigation to further analyze the scope, frequency and consequence of the alleged incidents.

ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.gov/complaints under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10536861, 10537055, 10543789, 10566071, 10586887, 10596669, 10598970, 10599185, 10604968, 10606487, 10607751, 10607866, 10609435, 10609742, 10611055, 10615717, 10615659, 10615838, 10615948, 10616687, 10616960, 10616698, 10616936, 10616992, 10617607, 10617791, 10618113, 10618532, 10621161, 10621427, 10621667, 10621849, 10621876, 10622180, 10625874, 10626592, 10627256, 10627776, 10628735, 10627871, 10627895, 10628206, 10628252, 10629239, 10629527, 10629543, 10629585, 10629690, 10629694, 10629830, 10629945, 10630172, 10630499, 10630506, 10631051, 10631202, 10631246, 10631342, 10631359, 10631555, 10631635

By Chris Bruce