Safety Recall 15S16 – Door Latch Replacement – 2011-2014 Ford & Lincoln

April 24, 2015 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V246000

Doors may Unexpectedly Open

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V246

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Potential Number of Units Affected 456,440

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 119,567 vehicles, including certain model year 2011 Ford Fiestas manufactured from November 11, 2009, to May 31, 2013 and certain model year 2013 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured from February 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 15S16.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

 

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May 15, 2020

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #4
Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Fiesta and 2013-2014 Model Year Fusion and MKZ Vehicles
Door Latch Replacement

 

New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT

Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Safety Recall 15S16 did not receive the claimed repairs. To ensure repairs are completed as directed, dealers are required to provide enhanced documentation supporting the completeness of repairs with repair order open dates of May 15, 2020 and later. This information must be submitted via a new Dealer Self Service contact type through the SSSC, and will require the following on all repairs:

• Latch date codes of both the old and new latches
• Photos of the new latches installed in the vehicle, along with a photo of the VIN
• Responses to several survey questions about the vehicle and repair
• Documentation of Service Manager sign-off on the repair order (image, scan, or PDF).

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Fiesta	2011-2014	Cuautitlan	Job-1 2011 model year to 31-Oct-2013
Fusion	2013-2014	Hermosillo	Job-1 2013 model year to 31-Oct-2013
Fusion	2014	Flat Rock	Job-1 2014 model year to 31-Oct-2013
MKZ	2013-2014	Hermosillo	Job-1 2013 model year to 31-Oct-2013

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the door latches have a pawl spring tab that may break. This condition will typically prevent the door from latching.

If the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts to shut the door, there is potential the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Dealers are to replace all four door latches. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner. 

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters were mailed by the week of May 1, 2017. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

PLEASE NOTE:

Federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $21,000 per vehicle. Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory before delivery. 

New! ATTACHMENTS

Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III:  Technical Information
Owner Notification Letters
Recall Reimbursement Plan

 

QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

For questions and assistance, contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) via the SSSC Web Contact Site. The SSSC Web Contact Site can be accessed through the Professional Technician Society (PTS) website using the SSSC link listed at the bottom of the OASIS VIN report screen or listed under the SSSC tab.

Sincerely,

 

David J. Johnson

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ATTACHMENT I

Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #4
Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Fiesta and 2013-2014 Model Year Fusion and MKZ Vehicles
Door Latch Replacement

 

OASIS ACTIVATION

OASIS was activated for all vehicles by March 28, 2017.

 

FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED

FSA VIN lists were available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com by March 28, 2017 for all vehicles. Owner names and addresses were available on May 1, 2017.

NOTE: Your FSA VIN list may contain owner names and addresses obtained from motor vehicle registration records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than in connection with this recall is a violation of law in several states, provinces, and countries. Accordingly, you must limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

 

STOCK VEHICLES

• Correct all affected new and used units in your inventory before delivery.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

• Owners of affected vehicles will be directed to dealers for repairs.
• Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
• Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.

 

DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES

A new law prohibits a Rental Company from selling, renting or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall. This could impact dealer-operated rental fleets of 35 vehicles or more, including FRAC, LRAC, and DDR vehicles. Please see EFC04833 for details and consult your legal counsel for legal advice.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall.

 

ADDITIONAL REPAIR (LABOR TIME AND/OR PARTS)

Additional repairs identified as necessary to complete the FSA should be managed as follows:

• For related damage and access time requirements, refer to the Warranty and Policy Manual / Section 6 – Ford & Lincoln Program Policies / General Information & Special Circumstances for FSA’s / Related Damage.
• For vehicles within new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, no SSSC approval is required, although related damage must be on a separate repair line with the “Related Damage” radio button checked.
  • Ford vehicles – 3 years or 36,000 miles o Lincoln vehicles – 4 years or 50,000 miles
• For vehicles outside new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, dealers are preapproved to claim up to $100 in related damage. o For claims exceeding the pre-approved amount, submit an Approval Request to the SSSC Web Contact Site prior to completing the repair.

 

OWNER REFUNDS  

• This safety recall must still be performed, even if the owner has paid for a previous repair. Claiming a refund will not close the recall on the vehicle.
• Ford Motor Company is offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which is posted with this bulletin. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford Motor Company at P.O. Box 6251, Dearborn, MI 481216251.
• Dealers are also pre-approved to refund owner-paid emergency repairs that were performed away from an authorized servicing dealer after the end date specified in the reimbursement plan. Non-covered repairs, or those judged by Ford to be excessive, will not be reimbursed.
• Refunds will only be provided for the cost associated with door latch replacement.

 

RENTAL VEHICLES

Rental vehicles are not approved for this program.

 

New! CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

• Dealer Self Service contacts o This SSSC contact type generates the approval code required to submit claims in OWS.
  • Use DEALER SELF SERVICE type contacts ONLY.
  • Only RO NUMBER, RO LINE, and RO OPEN DATE are required repair order information.
  • Dealers are responsible for the accuracy of all information submitted in contacts.
• Claim Entry: Enter claims using Dealer Management System (DMS) or One Warranty Solution (OWS) online.
  • When entering claims, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 15S16 is the sub code.
  • For additional claims preparation and submission information, refer to the Recall and Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) Repairs in the OWS User Guide.
  • The required Dealer Self Service approval code must be submitted on the program line. It is not to be used for related damage lines.
• Related Damage/Additional labor and/or parts: Must be claimed as Related Damage on a separate repair line from the FSA with same claim type and sub code as described in Claim Entry above.

IMPORTANT: Click the Related Damage Indicator radio button.

• Refunds: Submit refunds on a separate repair line.
  • Program Code: 15S16          – Misc. Expense: ADMIN
  • Expense: REFUND             – Misc. Expense: 0.2 Hrs.
• Multiple refunds should be submitted on one repair line and the invoice details for each repair should be detailed in the comments section of the claim.

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ATTACHMENT II

Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #4
Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Fiesta and 2013-2014 Model Year Fusion and MKZ Vehicles
Door Latch Replacement

 

New! LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description	Labor Operation	Labor Time
Administrative time to inspect and record old and new latch date codes, bench test, obtain service manager sign off on the R.O. and upload photos and survey responses. For repairs with R.O. open dates of May 15, 2020 and later. Claim in addition to ONE of the appropriate labor operations listed below.	15S16AA	1.1 Hours
2011-2014 Fiesta – Replace all four door latches	15S16BB	1.5 Hours
2013-2014 Fusion/MKZ – Replace all four door latches	15S16CC	1.8 Hours

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
One kit contains all required latches for a vehicle repair. Only one kit should be claimed per VIN.

Description	Quantity	Part Number
Fiesta with Keyless Entry – Kit of four door latches	1	DE8Z-54264A26-B
Fiesta without Keyless Entry* – Kit of four door latches	1	DE8Z-54264A26-A
Fusion and MKZ – Kit of four door latches	1	DS7Z-54264A26-A

 

*Fiesta vehicles without Keyless Entry are equipped with a lock cylinder in the passenger front door.

The DOR/COR number for this recall is 50594.

Order your parts through normal order processing channels.

 

DEALER PRICE 

For latest prices, refer to DOES II.

 

PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN

Follow the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual, Section 1 “WARRANTY PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN POLICIES.”

 

EXCESS STOCK RETURN

Excess stock returned for credit must have been purchased from Ford Customer Service Division in accordance with Policy Procedure Bulletin 4000.

 

 

ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2011-2014 MODEL YEAR FIESTA AND 2013-2014 MODEL YEAR FUSION AND MKZ VEHICLES — DOOR LATCH REPLACEMENT

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Open the driver’s side front door. Take a picture of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sticker on the lower A-pillar. This picture will need to be submitted in the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) web questionnaire.

2. Inspect and record the date codes on all four door latches. This information will need to be submitted in the SSSC web questionnaire.

NOTE: Build date can be comprised of numbers or letters up to 7 digits in length.

FIGURE 1

NOTE:

• To view a video demonstrating the removal and installation of the exterior door handle while installed on the vehicle, click the video icon.

  

 

• To view a video demonstrating the removal and installation of the exterior door handle on a bench for additional clarity, click the video icon.

  

 

• If you experience difficulty removing and/or installing the exterior door handle, you may need to reset the door handle reinforcement.  To view a video that will aid technicians in understanding how to reset the door handle reinforcement, or to further understand how the exterior door handle and door reinforcement function, click the video icon.

  

 

FUSION, MKZ AND FIESTA VEHICLES

NOTE:  Videos demonstrating the complete repairs can be found below.

Fusion/MKZ

 

Fiesta

 

1. Replace all four door latches.  For additional information, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-14.

2. As each old door latch is removed, perform the Door Latch Functionality Bench Test on page 4.

3. When repairs are complete, verify the presence of a child lock in each of the rear door latches. See Figure 2.

FIGURE 2

 

4.Once the new latches have been installed in the vehicle, record all four date codes of the new latches.

Additionally, capture a picture of the date code of each new door latch (four pictures total) showing     them installed in the vehicle. These pictures will need to be submitted in the SSSC web questionnaire. See Figure 3.

NOTE: If there is grease or debris covering the door latch build date, use a shop rag to wipe away the grease prior to taking the picture.

FIGURE 3

 

5.The service manager must inspect the vehicle to confirm that repairs were completed. Obtain service       manager sign-off on the repair order. This will be need to be submitted in the SSSC web questionnaire (image, scan, or PDF).

 

Door Latch Functionality Bench Test

NOTE: Once the door latches have been removed, perform the Door Latch Functionality Bench Test.           Record the data for use in the SSSC web questionnaire.

NOTE:  Video demonstrating the complete Door Latch Functionality Bench Test can be found below. Rear door latch shown, Front door latch similar.

Bench Test

1. Using a suitable screwdriver, insert and engage the door latch mechanism. See Figure 4.  

FIGURE 4

 

NOTE:  Rear door latch shown, Front door latch similar.

2. Turn the door latch on its side, and slide the interior handle release lever to release the latching mechanism. See Figure 5.

FIGURE 5

 

3. With the interior handle release lever engaged, place screwdriver back in the latch and verify that the latch releases. See Figure 6.

FIGURE 6

 

4. Re-engage the latch with the screwdriver. See Figure 4.

5. After the latch has been placed in the latched position, take a second screwdriver and actuate the exterior handle release lever. See Figure 7.

FIGURE 7

 

6. With the exterior handle release lever engaged, verify that the latch releases. See Figure 8.

FIGURE 8

 

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Recommended Tool List:

1/4″ Drive Short Well Sockets 5.5mm, 7mm, 8mm

1/4″ Drive Torx Bits T-20, T-25, T-27

1/4″ Drive Extension 3 in (76 mm) to 6 in (152 mm)

1/4″ Drive Cordless Impact Driver

1/4″ Ratchet

1/4″ Torque Wrench

Needle Nose Pliers

Plastic Trim Tools

Small Flathead Pocket Screwdriver

Large Flathead Screwdriver

Flash Light

Telescoping Magnet

Straight and Curved Pick

 

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Ford Motor Company Recall
Reimbursement Plan for 15S16

 

Ford and Lincoln dealers are in the best position to quickly and efficiently process reimbursement requests.  However, federal legislation requires all motor vehicle manufacturers to establish processes through which customers may seek recall reimbursement directly from the manufacturer or from the dealers.

Regarding the specific reimbursement plan for Recall # 15S16, owners who have paid for service to remedy the defect or noncompliance must have had that service performed prior to January 31, 2016.  After this date, if repairs related to this recall are performed by a non-Ford repair facility in an emergency situation, customers must submit any refund requests through their dealership.  As required by this federal regulation, Ford Motor Company submitted the details of its latest General Recall Reimbursement Plan in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in February 2015.  The following is the text of that letter and the Plan:

 

General Recall Reimbursement Plan
(As submitted to the NHTSA)

Pursuant to the requirements set forth in 49 CFR Part 573 and Part 577 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Ford Motor Company (Ford) is submitting required information pertaining to our general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners before they are notified of a related safety recall.

Set forth below is Ford’s general plan to reimburse owners and purchasers for costs incurred for remedies in advance of notification of potential safely-related defects or noncompliances pursuant to Part 573.6 (c)(8)(i).  This plan has not changed since our February 20, 2013 submission.

 

Reimbursement Notification

Ford’s notice to a vehicle owner in accordance with 49 CFR Part 577 will indicate that Ford is offering a refund if the owner paid to have service to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to a specified ending date.  In accordance with Part 573.13 (c)(2), this ending date will be defined as a minimum of ten calendar days after the date on which Ford mailed the last of its Part 577 notifications to owners, and will be indicated in the specific reimbursement plan available to owners for an individual recall.  This notice will direct owners to seek eligible reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford at the following address:

Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 6251
Dearborn, MI  48121-6251

 

Ford notes that this rule allows for the identification of a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility.  Under the rule, an owner who paid to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to the identified beginning date would not be eligible for reimbursement.  Ford generally has not established such a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility and does not presently anticipate changing this general policy.  However, in any case where Ford determines a beginning date is appropriate, Ford will indicate that date in the owner notice.  As permitted by 577.11(e), Ford may not include a reimbursement notification when all vehicles are well within the warranty period, subject to approval by the agency.

 

Costs to be Reimbursed

For vehicles, reimbursement will not be less than the lesser of:

• The amount paid by the owner for the remedy that specifically addressed and was reasonably necessary to correct the defect or noncompliance that is the subject of the recall, or
• The cost of parts for the remedy (to be no more than the manufacturer’s list retail price for authorized part(s), plus associated labor at local labor rates, miscellaneous fees (such as disposal of waste) and taxes.

For replacement equipment, reimbursement will be the amount paid by the owner for the replacement item (limited by the amount of the retail list price of the defective or noncompliant item that was replaced, plus taxes, where the brand or model purchased by the owner was different than the brand or model that was the subject of the recall).  If the item of motor vehicle equipment was repaired, the reimbursement provisions identified above for vehicles will apply.

Ford notes that costs incurred by the owner within the period during which Ford’s original or extended warranty would have provided for a free repair of the problem will not be eligible for reimbursement, as provided by Part 573.13 (d)(1).

 

Entities Authorized to Provide Reimbursement

Ford will continue to use authorized dealers to reimburse owners under the specific reimbursement plans for a particular recall, and will encourage owners to pursue requests for reimbursement directly through dealers to expedite reimbursement. Ford will also provide a mailing address to which customers can, at their option, send requests for reimbursement directly to Ford, as previously noted. Requests for reimbursement sent directly to Ford may take up to 60 days to process. Whether the owner chooses to pursue reimbursement requests through a dealer or directly through Ford, the owner will be directed to submit the required documentation, upon which reimbursement eligibility will be determined.

 

Required Documentation

The reimbursement determination will depend upon the information provided by the customer.  Consistent with Part 573.13 (d)(4) the following information must be submitted:

• Claimant name and address
• Vehicle make, model, and model year
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) and, for replacement equipment, a description of such equipment or, for tires, the model, size and TIN (DOT code)
• Identification of the recall number (either the Ford recall number or the NHTSA recall number)
• Identification of the owner of the recalled vehicle at the time that the pre-notification remedy was obtained
• An original receipt for the pre-notification remedy that includes a breakdown of the amount for parts, labor, other costs and taxes, including costs for the replacement item. Where the receipt covers work other than to address the recall or noncompliance, Ford may require the claimant to separately identify costs that are eligible for reimbursement.
• If the remedy was obtained during the warranty period, documentation indicating that the warranty was not honored or the warranty repair did not correct the problem related to the recall.

Failure to submit all of the above information may result in denial of the reimbursement request.

 

Additional Information

The Part 577 required owner notice will provide a toll-free telephone number through which specific information about the reimbursement plan can be requested from Ford. This general reimbursement plan will be incorporated into notifications pursuant to Part 573.6 by reference.  Information specific to an individual recall also may be incorporated into the Part 573.6 notification.

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November 2019

 

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL REMINDER * * *

According to our records, your 2013 Fusion has not had necessary safety recall repairs made. We urge you to have the free repair performed at your local dealership as soon as possible.

KEY INFORMATION Your vehicle is involved in an important safety recall Your safety is important to us. Schedule an appointment to have service procedure completed This procedure will be performed free of charge

 

Recall Number and Description:	15S16 – Door Latch Replacement
What is the Issue?	On your vehicle, it may be possible for the pawl spring tab inside one or more of the side door latches to break. This condition will typically prevent the door from latching. In certain situations, where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall Number and Description:	16S42 – Driver and Passenger Front Seatbelt Pretensioner Cable Repair
What is the Issue?	On your vehicle, the driver and passenger front seatbelt pretensioner cables may separate during a deployment and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall Number and Description:	17S09 – Coolant Level Sensor System Installation
What is the Issue?	On your vehicle, localized overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack. A cylinder head crack may cause an oil leak that may result in a fire in the engine compartment.
What Are We Asking You To Do?	Please contact your dealer to schedule an appointment to have these important service procedures completed. If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access www.Fordowner.com for dealer addresses, maps and driving instructions. The vehicle owner is responsible for having these service actions performed. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to deny coverage for any vehicle damage that may result from failure to have these recalls performed on a timely basis. Therefore, please have this recall performed as soon as possible.
Service Assistance:	If you have additional questions, please contact the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). Office Hours are Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Your Local Time). If you wish to contact us through the Internet, our address is: www.Fordowner.com.

 

If your authorized dealer has recently completed these recall repairs, please disregard this reminder.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct these conditions. Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.

Thank you for your attention to these important matters.

 

Ford Customer Service Division

 

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December 2015

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)

 

Safety Recall Notice 15S16 / NHTSA Recall 15V-246
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad 15S16

 

2013 Fusion
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

The Lincoln Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle, with the VIN shown above.

We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition.  Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.

What is the issue?	On your vehicle, it may be possible for the pawl spring tab inside one or more of the side door latches to break.  This condition will typically prevent the door from latching.  In certain situations, where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
What will Lincoln and your dealer do?	Parts are now available to repair your vehicle.  The Lincoln Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace all four door latches free of charge (parts and labor).
How long will it take?	The time needed for this repair is less than one-half day.  However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time.
What should you do?	Please call your dealer without delay and request a service date for Recall 15S16. Provide the dealer with the VIN of your vehicle.  The VIN is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter. If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access www.Lincolnowner.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions.       The Lincoln Motor Company wants you to have this safety recall completed on your vehicle.  The vehicle owner is responsible for making arrangements to have the work completed.  The Lincoln Motor Company can deny coverage for any vehicle damage that may result from the failure to have this recall performed on a timely basis.  Therefore, please have this recall performed as soon as possible. Please note:  Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
Do you need a rental vehicle?	Your dealer is authorized to provide a rental vehicle for your personal transportation at no charge (except for fuel and insurance) while your vehicle is at the dealership for repairs.  Please see your dealer for guidelines and limitations.
Have you previously paid for this repair?	If you have previously paid for a repair that addresses the issue described in this letter, you still need to have this recall performed to ensure the correct parts were used. You may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs.  Refunds will only be provided for service related to door latch replacement.  To verify eligibility and expedite reimbursement, give your paid original receipt to your dealer. Refund requests may also be sent directly to The Lincoln Motor Company.  To request your refund from Lincoln, send the refund request with all required documentation, including your original repair receipt (no photocopies), to The Lincoln Motor Company at P.O. Box 6251, Dearborn, Michigan 48121-6251.  Refund requests mailed to this address may take up to 60 days to process.  Your original receipt will be returned to you. Detailed information regarding eligibility for Lincoln’s reimbursement program and documentation requirements may be obtained by contacting our Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
What if you no longer own this vehicle?	If you no longer own this vehicle, and have an address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner. You received this notice because government regulations require that notification be sent to the last known owner of record.  Our records are based primarily on state registration and title data, which indicate that you are the current owner.
Can we assist you further?	If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired promptly and without charge, please contact your dealership’s Service Manager for assistance. RETAIL OWNERS:  If you still have concerns, please contact our Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.  For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD).  Representatives are available Monday through Friday:  8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). If you wish to contact us through the Internet, our address is: www.Lincolnowner.com. Para asistencia en Español:  Si necesita ayuda o tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al Centro de Relación con Clientes al 1-866-436-7332 y presione 2 para Español. FLEET OWNERS:  If you still have concerns, please contact the Fleet Customer Information Center at 1-800-34-FLEET, Option #3 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.  Representatives are available Monday through Friday:  8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). Or you may contact us through the Internet at www.fleet.ford.com. If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired in a reasonable time or without charge, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov.  Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 15V-246.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

The Lincoln Motor Company

 

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April 24, 2015

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Advance Notice – safety Recall 15S16
Certain 2012-2014 Model Year Fiesta and 2013-2014 Model Year Fusion and MKZ Vehicles
Door Latch Replacement

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Fiesta	2012-2014	Cuautitlan	Februa 1, 2012 throu h Ma 31, 2013
Fusion	2013-2014	Hermosillo and Flat Rock	Job #1 through May 31, 2013
MKZ		Hermosillo

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com. This information will be available on April 24, 2015.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In all of the affected vehicles, the side door latches have a pawl spring tab that may break. This condition will typically prevent the door from latching. In certain situations where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

 

SERVICE ACTION

DO NOT DEMONSTRATE OR DELIVER any of the affected vehicles involved in this safety recall. A complete Dealer Bulletin will be provided to dealers the week of May 1 1 , 2015 when it is anticipated that initial parts ordering information and repair instructions will be available to support this safety recall.

 

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Owners of record will be notified via first-class mail after repair instructions and parts ordering information have been provided to dealers.

PLEASE NOTE:

Federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $7,000 per vehicle. Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory prior to delivery

 

QUESTIONS?

Special Service Support Center (Dealer Assistance Only)1-800-325-5621

Sincerely,

Michael A. Berardi

 

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8 Affected Products

Vehicles

FORD	FIESTA	2011-2014
FORD	FUSION	2013-2014
LINCOLN	MKZ	2013-2014

 

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20 Associated Documents

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – TSB

RCMN-15V246-5113.pdf 193.394KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Advance Notice – Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #2

RCMN-15V246-6271.pdf 34.199KB

 

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Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-15V246-3342.pdf 287.799KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-15V246-9207.PDF 30.943KB

 

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Press Release

RMISC-15V246-2243.pdf 32.482KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Advance Notice – Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #1

RCMN-15V246-2753.pdf 601.62KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report – 2015-Q4

RCLQRT-15V246-5949.PDF 28.849KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)/TSB – December 3, 2015 SUBJECT: Safety Recall 15S16 – Supplement #1

RCMN-15V246-0811.pdf 99.742KB

 

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-15V246-6528.pdf 800.563KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2016-2

RCLQRT-15V246-4911.PDF 214.735KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report – 2016-Q1

RCLQRT-15V246-4927.PDF 28.956KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report – 2016-Q1

RCLQRT-15V246-8829.PDF 28.956KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-15V246-9504.pdf 114.853KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – DEMONSTRATION/DELIVERY HOLD Advance Notice

RCMN-15V246-8255.pdf 405.962KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #5, 2016-4

RCLQRT-15V246-5827.PDF 214.954KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-15V246-0794.pdf 342.575KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2016-3

RCLQRT-15V246-3643.PDF 214.835KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #6, 2017-1

RCLQRT-15V246-5282.PDF 215.045KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-15V246-6261.pdf 990.326KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-15V246-5353.pdf 94.236KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=15V246&docType=RCL

 

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1 Associated Investigation

Door Latch Failure
NHTSA ID: EA15002
Dated opened: February 27, 2015

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta, MY 2013 Ford Fusion and MY 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. All of the affected vehicles share the same door latch design. ODI has received 281 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 100 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion. There were no crashes reported however three separate injuries were indicated, all caused by a rebounding door striking a consumer after they attempted to close it.

In response to ODI’s Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 1,102 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were no injury claims but there were two claims of low speed accidents occurring involving the door opening while driving and damaging property. Ford also submitted 10,883 warranty claims related to door latch failures. Many customers indicated that the door would not latch at all and accordingly they decided to restrain the door by other means (looping the seatbelt through the door, or using rope or tape) in order to drive the vehicle. Some customers also reported multiple door latch failures occurring on the same vehicle on different doors occurring months apart.

On April 23rd, 2015 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (15V-246) to remedy door latches failures on certain MY 2011-2014 Ford Fiesta and MY 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. According to Ford, the pawl spring tab located within the door latch can break off, or separate and result in a “”door will not close” condition. The recalled vehicles include Fiesta vehicles manufactured from the start of the MY 2011 to May 2013 and Fusion and MKZ vehicles manufactured from the start of the MY 2013 year until May 2013. In May 2013 Ford reports that it made a manufacturing quality control change, specific to the spring tab, to improve the performance of the existing part. The door latch spring tab was redesigned and the new latch was phased into production in December 2014 with a new part number. Ford will replace all four door latches on the affected vehicles with the new latch design currently in production.

The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI. Accordingly, the investigation is closed.

The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.

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Last update on 2025-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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