Investigations
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA04023 - closed, opened 2004-08-18 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation EA04023 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2004-08-18 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD FORD, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-02-04 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA04023 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON APRIL 8, 2004 AS PE04-033 AND UPGRADED ON AUGUST 18, 2004 TO EA04-023. THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO KEEP THE DOORS IN A CLOSED POSITION, RESULTING IN REAR..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON APRIL 8, 2004 AS PE04-033 AND UPGRADED ON AUGUST 18, 2004 TO EA04-023. THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO KEEP THE DOORS IN A CLOSED POSITION, RESULTING IN REAR DOORS COMING OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE BEING DRIVEN. SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT AT TIMES A REAR DOOR, OR DOORS, COULD BE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. OTHERS REPORTED THAT CORROSION OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM CAUSED BINDING OF THE LATCH. FORD HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION OF CORROSION IN THE "PAWL PIVOT" AREA OF THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT PREVENTS PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE DOOR LATCH "CATCH" TO THE LATCH STRIKER ON THE VEHICLE BODY. BY LETTER OF FEBRUARY 1, 2005, FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 FOUR AND FIVE-DOOR FOCUS VEHICLES REGISTERED IN, OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT REAR DOOR LATCHES AND REPLACE "BINDING" LATCHES AS REQUIRED. DEALERS WILL ALSO LUBRICATE ALL REAR DOOR LATCHES TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION AND BINDING. A LOWER ROCKER SEAL WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO THE REAR DOORS. SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V030 FOR DETAILS.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.