Defective side-door latches in several Ford models made in North America triggered a recall of 828,053 vehicles.
The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker (F) said Thursday that it had issued the recall after discovering one injury and one crash that could be linked to the issue.
A faulty spring tab in a side-door latch could break, causing the door not to shut correctly and potentially causing it to swing open while driving, Ford said.
The recall affects the 2013-15 C-MAX made at the Michigan Assembly Plant from April 19, 2012, to Jan. 31, 2015; the 2013-15 Escape made at the Louisville Assembly Plant from Oct. 19, 2011, to Jan. 31, 2015; the 2012-15 Focus made at the Michigan Assembly Plant from Aug. 1, 2010, to Jan. 31, 2015; the 2015 Lincoln MKC made at the Louisville Assembly Plant from Dec. 4, 2013, to Jan. 31, 2015; the 2015 Mustang made at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant from May 28, 2014, to April 30, 2015; and the 2014-16 Transit Connect made at the Valencia Assembly Plant from Aug. 9, 2013, to Feb. 1, 2016.
The recall includes 61,371 models in Mexico. Ford said it would provide repairs for free.
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.
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