NHTSA Complaint #10871865 — 2012 FORD FOCUS

DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH FAILED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO REMAIN UNLATCHED AND SWING OPEN FREELY. I HAD TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR COST ME $585.70. FORD HAS BEEN MAKING CARS FOR OVER 100 YEARS, LITERALLY ALL OF WHICH HAVE HAD DOORS. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SOLID DESIGN FOR A DOOR LATCH BY NOW. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED TO BREAK WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED, BUT I IMAGINE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. I STILL HAVE THREE OTHER DOORS WITH PRESUMABLY THE SAME FAULTY LATCH DESIGN - HOW LONG UNTIL THOSE FAIL AS WELL? I NOW HAVE TO CARRY A ROPE IN MY TRUNK IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE I AM AWAY FROM MY HOME.