NHTSA Complaint #10260543 — 2006 FORD F-150

1. I WAS TRYING TO OPEN A FORD F-150 1/2 DOOR FROM THE INSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. AS I WENT TO GRAB THE PLASTIC HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST IN OPENING THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 2. MY FINGER WAS PINCHED IN THE LEVER AS THE FRONT PASSENGER LIFTED THE LATCH MECHANISM AND 2/3 OF THE PHALANGE ON MY LEFT INDEX FINGER WAS PINCHED IN THE HANDLE AND AMPUTATED. THE DOOR NEVER OPENED, THE HANDLE WAS NOT FULLY OPENED WHEN I YELLED, CAUSING THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO RELEASE THE LATCH. I HAD TO HAVE IMMEDIATE SURGERY TO SAVE THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE PHALANGE. DUE TO THE COMPLETE AMPUTATION, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REATTACH MY FINGER. 3. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE IS NOT A CORRECTION TO THIS EVENT. MY NIECE AND NEPHEW HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR FINGERS PINCHED DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW OF THE INTERIOR REAR PASSENGER 1/2 DOOR OPENING MECHANISMS. (THIS IS MY BROTHER-IN-LAW'S VEHICLE. HE IS SENDING ME THE VIN AND OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUCK. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED THIS INFORMATION.) *TR