Models affected are the Escape, C-Max, Focus, Mustang, Transit and the Lincoln MKC
Ford has discovered that several 2013 to 2016 model-year vehicles it sold in the US and Mexico have door latches that may break over time and not secure the door. This is obviously a major safety concern, so the manufacturer has issued a recall for the 828,053 affected vehicles.
The specific models are 2013 – 2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012 – 2015 Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, as well as 2014 – 2016 Transit vans.
The main part at fault is a spring located within the latch mechanism. After it did an investigation into the matter, Ford discovered that the defect is much more common in states with higher temperatures (and higher chance of direct sunlight exposure). The aforementioned spring apparently breaks and the whole latch fails as a result.
The automaker also announced that it is aware of one accident and one injury that may be connected to the fault and are investigating further.
It is estimated that the recall and free-of-charge replacement of the faulty latches on all affected vehicles will cost Ford an estimated $270-million.