Ford Recall for Engine Fire Risk and Door Latch Failures

On March 29, 2017, Ford announced a recall of 570,000 vehicles due to problems related to potential fires in the engines, and door latches that will not stay shut. Both of these problems create safety concerns, and any personal injuries or property damages caused provide the possibility of lawsuits against Ford Motor. The fact that the company is issuing the recall is an admission that there is a problem which can cause injury.

A Ford recall does not mean that injuries have occurred, but it does indicate a cause for concern among owners of the affected automobiles subject to potential engine fires, which include 2014 Escape SUVs, 2014-2015 compact Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion midsize, and 2013-2015 Transit Connect small van. Registered owners of 2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, and 2014 Lincoln MKZ will be notified about faulty door latches as well as the other vehicles listed herein.

The Ford recall for the potential fire hazard involves a failure of the engine coolant to properly circulate. When this happens, the engine overheats. This can cause the cylinder head to crack, and pressurized oil may leak through the crack. If that happens, and the oil touches a hot surface, a fire will occur. Ford has knowledge of 29 such fires, but states there has been no injuries reported to date.

The door latch problem either causes the door to not close or open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. This causes an obvious safety problem for all passengers in the automobile. This Ford recall is not the first involving door latches, and it is a problem that continues to plague Ford vehicles.

Anyone who owns a Ford vehicle subject to the recall, or any Ford vehicle that has an engine fire or malfunctioning door latch and has been injured, needs to contact an attorney who can handle the difficult process of asserting a claim for personal injury.

Mary Alexander & Associates knows how to conduct a proper investigation, preserve evidence, assemble information to prove damages, and to negotiate a proper settlement or try a case that cannot be settled. Our firm knows how to navigate the legal system to obtain justice for clients and ensures that personal injury awards are commensurate with the injuries sustained.