Ford Recalls F-150 Pickups To Fix Door Handles
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Ford Motor Co. has recalled nearly 365,000 F-150 pickup trucks in North America to fix a problem with the interior door handles that could lead to the doors opening in a crash.
The recall includes 2009 and 2010 Ford F-150s with chrome interrior door handles.
Ford said the recall affects about 280,000 F-150s in the U.S. from built from Jan. 18, 2008, through Nov. 30, 2009. About 68,000 of the popular trucks under recall are in Canada and about 14,000 are in Mexico.
"Customers may experience a loose or rattling door handle that, in some cases, may not return to a fully closed postion -- and that could effect the door performance in a side-impact accident," Ford spokesman Wess Sherword said.
Sherword tells WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Glibert they don't know of any accidents or injuries related to the problem.
The F-150 is part of Ford's popular F-Series pickup, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.
"Ford is committed to safety and is quickly working to address this matter with our customers,'' said Sherwood.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that a spring in the interior door handle could break, causing the door to fail to latch properly. If the truck was struck by another vehicle on the side, the government said the door latch could open.
The recall is expected to begin around Feb. 14. Ford said dealers would inspect the trucks and add reinforcements to the spring or replace the side interior door handle module.
Owners can contact Ford at (866) 436-7332.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
