2009-2010 Ford F-150 being recalled to fix door handles

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Ford has announced that the automaker is recalling 280,946 F-150 models in the United States and an additional 68,000 in Canada for faulty door handles. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the interior handles feature a housing embossment that may fracture with normal use. If this happens, the door latches may not fully return to their stowed position, and as a result, the doors may pop open during an accident.

NHTSA says that recall covers certain 2009 and 2010 model year trucks manufactured between January 18, 2008 and November 30, 2009. Ford is expected to begin notifying owners on or before February 14. If owners notice any interior door handle that doesn't return to its stowed position, they'll be urged to return the vehicle to a dealer to have the defective piece replaced free of charge. Eventually, all vehicles in the recall will be asked to return to the dealer for an inspection and free replacement of any trouble parts. Clear the jump for a look at the full recall notice.


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[Sources: NHTSA, The Detroit News]
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Vehicle Make / Model:

Model Year(s):
FORD / F-150

2009-2010

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: JAN 28, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V049000
N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Potential Number of Units Affected: 280,946

Summary:
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL USAGE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION.

Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE DOOR HANDLE SPRING CAN FAIL CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN.

Remedy:
OWNERS WILL BE INITIALLY NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IF ANY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE OR FAILS TO RETURN TO THE STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTIVATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECT MODULE. ONCE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF EACH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION, THE DEALER WILL EITHER ADD A SPRING EMBOSSMENT REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

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