My first problem - passenger door won't close

[BMT1071]

Thanks. Hopefully it will be an easy fix. Did you have to wait long for them to order a new latch?

I would recommend you mention the latch as the potential repair if they don't seem to have a clear direction.

Sponsored

 

[macchiaz-o]

@Evermore and @generaltso,

My Fiesta had a few safety recalls for its door lock pawls, which could snap, especially in hot, dry climates. When broken, it'd prevent the door from staying closed.

It actually did break on my front right passenger door. Luckily the car was narrow enough that I could reach over to hold it closed while driving to the dealership.

Anyway... Was just wondering if you two would think about posting this issue to the NHTSA web site. It can help elevate the issue and encourages Ford to analyze the problem and issue a fix for everyone.

 

[generaltso]

Anyway... Was just wondering if you two would think about posting this issue to the NHTSA web site. It can help elevate the issue and encourages Ford to analyze the problem and issue a fix for everyone.

Sure, I’ll submit a report to NHTSA. I wonder how many reports it takes before it makes it to Ford.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Sure, I’ll submit a report to NHTSA. I wonder how many reports it takes before it makes it to Ford.

It's also possible that Ford submits safety issues on its own, too. But, I don't really know. ?‍

None of this is important... But felt like sharing with you, anyway:

In the case of my 2014 Fiesta, one door latch failed in January 2017. It was outside warranty and should have cost $407 according to my records, but for some reason the service advisor coded it as a warranty item. His customer service skills were pretty great, and I think he felt bad I was driving a Fiesta with the DPS6 transmission.

Then in May 2017 I received a recall notice to have the latches replaced on all four doors (including the newly replaced latch).

I received a second recall notice in June 2020 for this same issue. This time only an inspection was required to verify that the correct replacement parts were used during the 2017 recall. I was able to complete the inspection on my own by following the instructions and videos provided by Ford.

 

[generaltso]

I got the car back today. They didn't replace any parts, but fixed the door issue by re-initializing the door control module. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it's working now. I don't love that we still don't know what caused it, so can't guarantee that it's not going to happen again.

I also asked them to perform the SSM for PaaK and the TSB for the 12v battery concerns while they had it, which they did.

 

[BMT1071]

I got the car back today. They didn't replace any parts, but fixed the door issue by re-initializing the door control module. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it's working now. I don't love that we still don't know what caused it, so can't guarantee that it's not going to happen again.

I also asked them to perform the SSM for PaaK and the TSB for the 12v battery concerns while they had it, which they did.

Reinitialized is auto tech speak for unplugged it and plugged it back in.

 

[generaltso]

Reinitialized is auto tech speak for unplugged it and plugged it back in.

Yeah, I was thinking it was really just a reboot. If I had gotten to the 12v battery to disconnect it, it quite possibly would have done the same thing.

 

[BMT1071]

Yeah, I was thinking it was really just a reboot. If I had gotten to the 12v battery to disconnect it, it quite possibly would have done the same thing.

For future reference, is the fuse box for the door modules more accessible than the LVB?

 

[generaltso]

For future reference, is the fuse box for the door modules more accessible than the LVB?

Good question. I didn’t look, but now I will.

 

[dethmaShine]

The thread I linked provides a fix. …, or gently bring the door into contact with the plunger than muscle it closed.

Not to be dramatic or something, saved my life today. Thank you.

 

[Mach1E]

Not to be dramatic or something, saved my life today. Thank you.

Was this hyperbole or literally?

Definitely deserves some more details.

 

[dethmaShine]

Was this hyperbole or literally?

Definitely deserves some more details.

Not rhetoric. I wish. I was stranded with nothing near me in a 50 mile radius with the only thing that could really do was: either tow the car OR hold the door and drive which is almost a no no on an expressway. Further, there was traffic and its unsafe to park on a shoulder of a speedy expressway even with hazards on.

I am also traveling in less than a week and going to a dealer would handicap me for the entire week which wasn't really affordable. So while it wasn't a matter of life and death, it could have been worse.

 

[Mach1E]

Not rhetoric. I wish. I was stranded with nothing near me in a 50 mile radius with the only thing that could really do was: either tow the car OR hold the door and drive which is almost a no no on an expressway. Further, there was traffic and its unsafe to park on a shoulder of a speedy expressway even with hazards on.

I am also traveling in less than a week and going to a dealer would handicap me for the entire week which wasn't really affordable. So while it wasn't a matter of life and death, it could have been worse.

Ah, that would be quite inconvenient.

Probably one of the reasons they removed this part on 2025 models.

 

[ChehRob]

Almost 4 years after this problem occurred my dealership's incompetent service department was not able to tell me what to do about the presenter stuck in the open position. I had pushed on the plunger/presenter and it wouldn't budge. So searched for a solution (this site's search engine is not all that good), forum search didn't work, but the AI search Ford now offers on its manual said 'push on the outside.

 

[ChehRob]

That did the trick. The dealship wanted me to have the car towed. This is the second time the willfully(?) ignorant service department has offered crappy advice to a problem that should have been solved by a quick phone call.

Sponsored