Dearborn, Mich. – May 24, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled approximately 551 pickup trucks equipped with defective aftermarket door handles, according to a company press release. The campaign affects 2015-2017 F-150 pickups, as well as 2017 F-250 and F-550 models. Approximately 247 of these vehicles came from American dealerships, while the remainder originated from Canadian showrooms.
The Defect
The affected pickups feature aftermarket chrome door handles sourced from third-party parts dealers. These fixtures, which do not comport with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, are prone to release during accidents, posing a serious risk to occupants. More specifically, the door latches “may experience inertial loads that could cause it to unlatch during a side impact,” according to Ford. So far, the automaker has yet to field any reports linking the defective devices to accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
Ford recently traced the defective door handle assemblies to dealerships in the U.S. and Canada. These facilities had installed the features on-site, partnering with aftermarket parts providers unknown to Ford headquarters. Consequently, the manufacturer requested that dealers review their internal records to pinpoint the companies that sold them these.
The Solution
In addition to requesting dealer records, Ford has announced plans to issue communications to service departments so they can switch out door handle assemblies on pickups that come in for unrelated maintenance. Dealers have been ordered to replace the assemblies and reimburse customers for parts and service fees. The automaker has yet to notify the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and will conduct the recall internally for the time being. Owners who need additional assistance can contact Ford support personnel at 866-436-7332. The internal recall reference number is 17C09.