NHTSA Complaint #11056934 — 2013 FORD FLEX

2013 FORD FLEX SE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2012 WITH 60,000 MILES IS EXPERIENCING FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCHING PROBLEMS. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT IS TRIGGERED AFTER THE DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED. WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN, OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR WOULD BE ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE SENSOR BUT OVER THE PAST MONTH IT HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR A FEW REASONS: FIRST, IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DOOR COULD POSSIBLY FLY OPEN DURING A COLLISION LEAVING THE PASSENGERS VULNERABLE TO BEING THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE OR OBJECTS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. SECOND, THE CABIN LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIRD, THE CABIN LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED WHICH CAUSES AN UNWARRANTED STRAIN ON THE VEHICLE BATTERY. AS FOR THE BACK RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR, IT IS NOT LATCHING. I FEAR THAT AT ANYTIME THE DOOR MAY COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. IF THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES AND THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH, THE VEHICLE WILL BE INOPERABLE. SINCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS, I AM EXPECTED TO PAY THE PRICE TO MAINTAIN DOOR LATCHES ON A VEHICLE.