Ford Motor stated on Wednesday it would recall 1.34 million 2015-17 Ford F-150 and 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks in North America to include water shields to side door latches at an expense of $267 million.
The automaker stated the security recall is due to a frozen door latch or a bent or kinked actuation cable in the impacted vehicles, that might result in a door not opening or closing.
A Ford spokesperson, Elizabeth Weigandt, said clients would be informed next month but did not have a schedule for when parts will be available. Dealers will set up water shields over the door latches and check and repair door latch cables if required.
Ford has now recalled over 5 million vehicles for door latch-related problems since last year, but the company said the issue in the new recall is different from previous ones.
The company in November last year sent a bulletin to dealers that cautioned some 2015-2017 Ford F-150 trucks could have inoperative latches during freezing temperatures. The bulletin informed dealers to set up a rain shield to deal with the issue. The company at first alerted dealers in 2015 about the problem.
Weigandt stated Ford’s decision to provide a recall is driven by data. “When the information indicates a safety recall is required, we move quickly,” she stated.
Ford stated the expense of the new recall would be shown in its fourth-quarter results. Ford stated it continues to expect full-year adjusted revenues in the range of $1.65 to $1.85 per share.
The company stated there were no accidents or injuries connected with the problem but said because of the fault, the door may appear closed, increasing the danger of the door opening while driving.
