NHTSA Complaint #10481444 — 2006 FORD F-150

THE PASSENGER ASSIST HANDLE ATTACHED TO THE A PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED AT BOTH CONNECTION POINTS TO THE A PILLAR WHILE MY WIFE WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE WAS STANDING ON THE RUNNING BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE OF THE ASSIST HANDLE, THE HANDLE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SHE FELL OFF THE RUNNING BOARD WITH THE HANDLE IN HER HAND, LANDING ON HER BACK AGAINST A CURB IN THE PARKING LOT. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE OF THIS PART SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 10/06/2006. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST 36 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, FORD REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH AN IDENTICAL PART. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS DID NOT RESULT IN INJURY TO MY PASSENGER. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE RECENT EVENT. *TR