NHTSA Complaint #11322199 — 2015 FORD FLEX

VEHICLE HAS OUTSIDE DOOR LOCK CONTROLS,BUILT INTO THE FRONT DOOR HANDLES. THESE ARE ACTIVATED BY SENSORS BUILT INTO THE HANDLES. OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS THE SENSORS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY.FAILED TO WORK. WHEN ASKED MEMBERS OF A FORD FLEX CHAT BOARD TO WHICH I BELONG HAVE TOLD ME SEVERAL HAVE HAD SIMILAR FAILURES, AND ONE SAID HIS 2014 FLEX WAS FIXED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. I JUST CHECKED, AND THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING RECALL ON MY 2015 FLEX. ALTHOUGH I AM ABLE TO GAIN ENTRY WITH MY REMOTE FOB, THIS SEEMS A SAFETY RELATED SITUATION IN THAT THE DRIVER OF SUCH A VEHICLE BECOMES ACCUSTOMED TO LEAVING THE REMOTE IN A POCKET OR PURSE, AND IF THE DOOR SENSOR FAILS TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A TRAFFIC WAY, THE DRIVER COULD BE EXOPSED TO DANGER FROM PASSING TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THIS SITUATION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, EITHER IN A PARKING LOT OR ON STREET-SIDE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR IN MOTION.