NHTSA Complaint #10637068 — 2012 FORD FIESTA

ON 8/27/14 I WAS LEAVING WORK WITH MY RIDING PARTNER. WE PLACED SOME WORK ITEMS IN THE BACK SEAT AND STARTED DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER WE WENT ABOUT A MILE THE CAR MADE A DING SOUND AND SCREEN SHOWED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPEN. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR BUT IT WOULD NOT LATCH. IT'S 74 MILES FROM WORK TO MY HOME SO THE PASSENGER HAD TO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT AND HOLD THE DOOR CLOSE BY HAND FOR 73 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME I HAD TO PUT A RATCHET STRAP BETWEEN THE TWO REAR DOORS TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED WHILE DRIVING. MY CHILD WAS NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME BUT WHAT IF HE HAD BEEN? *TR ON 8/30/14 I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PAID $215.55 FOR THEM TO ORDER A NEW DOOR LATCH. IT'S NOW 9/17/14 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY DOOR FIXED. THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME I WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER FOR THAT PART.