What happens when the latch on a car door fails?
When the door is shut, the latch and anchor interlock to close the door. If the latch mechanism inside of the door fails or has any issues, it may not be able to secure onto the anchor, which will result in a door that will not stay closed. This is a problem as vehicles with doors that do not stay shut are unsafe to drive.
How can I find out if my Ford door latch is defective?
Owners can inspect the latches on their vehicle themselves and submit the latch date codes online to see if they need to be replaced. Owners can also bring their vehicles to a dealer, where the latches will be inspected. Ford will replace defective latches free of charge.
Is there a problem with the Ford Fiesta door latch?
Door latch issues have not been limited to Ford pickups. Although no accidents or injuries have been reported because of the door latch problem, the NHTSA began getting complaints about doors flying open on the 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta back in September of 2014.
When does a door latch need to be replaced?
If you notice that the door only properly secures when it is slammed, then that may be a sign that the latch mechanism is not working properly or that the latch has become misaligned with the anchor. Excessive slamming will eventually cause the latch to fail and require replacement. 3. Door will not open
Is there a problem with the Ford door latch?
The company says there’s a problem with the door latch in these vehicles, particularly in freezing weather. A defective latch may not fully engage, meaning a door that appears to be closed could still open while the vehicle is in motion. That gets my attention.
Why does my car door latch not stay closed?
The door latch mechanism is the component that secures the door shut, and when it has problems, this can cause issues entering and exiting the vehicle. Usually a problematic door latch assembly will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential problem that should be serviced. 1. Door will not stay closed
How to tell if your door latch is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Door Latch 1 Door will not stay closed. 2 Door must be slammed hard to close. 3 Door will not open.
What is the latch on a car door?
The door latch is the mechanism that is used to secure a vehicle’s door closed. When the door handle is pulled, the latch is mechanically or electronically actuated so that the door can be opened. The latch mechanism consists of the mechanical latch inside of door as well as the U-shaped anchor that is secured to the vehicle’s door jamb.