Component

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

7,242 NHTSA complaints about latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch issues across 54 makes and 652 models.

The latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 7,242 filings from 54 manufacturers and 652 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 111 crashes, 37 fires, 368 injuries, and 25 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD FOCUS with 355 filings, followed by HONDA ODYSSEY and TOYOTA SIENNA. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

7,242
Complaints
652
Models Affected
111
Crashes
37
Fires
25
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD FOCUS 355
2 HONDA ODYSSEY 265
3 TOYOTA SIENNA 197
4 DODGE CARAVAN 171
5 FORD EXPLORER 166
6 FORD FUSION 155
7 FORD F-150 150
8 FORD WINDSTAR 148
9 HYUNDAI TUCSON 147
10 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 142
11 FORD EDGE 133
12 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 130
13 TOYOTA CAMRY 126
14 FORD ESCAPE 119
15 HONDA ACCORD 114
16 NISSAN QUEST 113
17 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 108
18 CHEVROLET VENTURE 94
19 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 93
20 FORD FIESTA 87
21 FORD MUSTANG 74
22 FORD TAURUS 69
23 MERCURY VILLAGER 68
24 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 66
25 PONTIAC MONTANA 62
26 CHEVROLET HHR 59
27 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 57
28 CHEVROLET S10 56
29 FORD EXPEDITION 55
30 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 51

Recent Complaints

2016 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while attempting to open the driver’s side door with the door handle, the door failed to res

2026 CHEVROLET COLORADO

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle star

2023 KIA CARNIVAL

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that during freezing weather, the button was depressed to open the driver's side rear sliding door, and the door automatically opened; however,

2019 FORD MUSTANG

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that the passenger’s and driver’s side door latches unlocked while driving approximately 70 - 75 MPH, and the doors became slightly opened.

2011 TOYOTA SIENNA

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated while driving. The contact stated that the warning light turned off while restar

2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the turn signal flashed two or three times and then stopped. In addition, the doors independen

2017 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear and passenger’s side rear bottom doors failed to latch as intended. The door

2018 VOLVO XC90

At random times the back doors will not open, from the inside or outside…hit all the unlock buttons and will NOT open. If this is not a massive safety issue, I don’t know what is…. If we get in

2017 TOYOTA SIENNA

The drivers side sliding door when on the power on, it will either not catch when opening or not shut when you are trying to shut it. You can be in the door way and it will shut on you by itself. You

2023 NISSAN ROGUE

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle and walking away with the keys, the doors of the vehicle automatically locked as designed; however, the rear doo

2016 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s and driver’s side sliding doors failed to remotely latch properly. The contact had to manually slam

2008 VOLVO C70

On multiple occasions while driving this vehicle at various speeds various road conditions the doors will become unlocked and partially open you have to open the door and re-close it in order for the

2020 VOLVO XC90

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear passenger's side door from the inside or the outside of the vehicle, the door failed to open as intended, causi

2024 MAZDA CX-90

The exterior rear door handles get stuck in the open position. This is a danger and the door has opened while driving since the door handle did not close all the way. I have tried lubricating the both

2018 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Continental. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's door latch failed to latch as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where

2012 KIA SPORTAGE

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while attempting to open to the front driver's side door from the inside of the vehicle, the contact heard an unknown part inside the door fall

2015 LINCOLN MKC

The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln MKC. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side door failed to unlock as intended, which required the contact to enter the vehicle th

2014 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle with other passengers, the passenger's side sliding door failed to latch and close securely. The door aja

2015 FORD ESCAPE

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door failed to lock and latch securely. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The veh

2023 VOLVO XC90

While driving in a parking lot going around 15 mph my drivers side door opened. No warning, no alarms just fully ajar swung open. Fortunately I was going 15 mph, Im glad I had my seatbelt on and that

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch issues?
The NHTSA has received 7,242 complaints about latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch problems across 652 vehicle models from 54 manufacturers.
How dangerous are latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch defects?
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH issues have been linked to 111 crashes, 37 fires, 368 injuries, and 25 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch issues is the FORD FOCUS with 355 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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