NHTSA Complaint #10713673 — 2012 FORD EDGE

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AJAR SENSOR ALWAYS READS THE DOOR AS OPEN. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO CHIME EVERY TIME YOU ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED, AND PREVENTS THE DOORS FROM AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE CHIME IS A DISTRACTION AND ALSO CAUSES THE DRIVER TO IGNORE THE ALARM WHICH MEANS YOU COULD NOT NOTICE SOME OTHER, MORE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS MAKE PARKING AT NIGHT VERY DANGEROUS AS IT'S HARD TO SEE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AND THE DOORS NOT LOCKING AUTOMATICALLY IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. ON TOP OF ALL THIS, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IF THE PROXIMITY KEY IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. IF SOMEONE IS USED TO BEING ABLE TO DO THIS, IT'S VERY EASY TO LOCK YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR CAR. IT HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY. GLAD I DIDN'T HAVE A BABY STUCK IN THERE. INSTEAD I JUST HAD TO PAY $60 FOR A LOCKSMITH. ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN THE AREA WHERE THE SENSOR IS LOCATED DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. AND THE PROCESS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IS EITHER VERY EXPENSIVE OR FAR BEYOND MOST PEOPLE'S ABILITY (IT REQUIRES COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY OF THE DOOR). THIS MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE WON'T BOTHER TO REPAIR IT AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. WATCH OUT FOR THEM IN A PARKING LOT. *TR