DEFECTIVE FORD DOOR LATCH LAWSUIT
Ford vehicles have been involved in numerous incidents where the door latch has opened during an accident or rollover. It is estimated that over four million Ford vehicles may be affected including the Ford F-150 Truck, F-250 Trucks, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Blackwood. These vehicles manufactured between 1997-2000 have door latches that are opening or failing in accidents, rollovers and wrecks. The safety of the Ford door handles has become the subject of four class action lawsuits. The suits in Ontario, Florida, North Carolina and Alabama seek to force Ford to recall the vehicles and replace the latches.
The Ford door latch documents show that in March 2000, Ford engineers found that the springs in the handles were built to the wrong engineering specifications and that the door handles are much less likely to stay closed when they are exposed to the extreme forces of a crash. According to Ford the original door handles complied with federal standards. Crash testing and on-road warranty data verify their safety. “The latches were compliant,” Vokes said. “They’re still compliant. The facts haven’t changed no matter how various parties interpret them. We get sued by all kinds of people all the time. You cannot take the fact that we are getting sued to mean there’s a problem.”
Internal Ford documents show that two companies that supplied the door latches were Magna Donnelly and Intier Corp. – These documents suggest the doors of the Ford trucks contain springs that were much weaker than were called for in company specifications. During the 1997-2000 time period, Donnelly and Dortec supplied the door latches in question.
FORD DOOR LATCH DEFECT LAWSUIT
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or a loved one killed as a result of a defective Ford door latch /lock that released or opened during a rollover, wreck or accident in a 1997, 1998, 1999, or 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck, Ford F250 Truck, Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition or Lincoln Blackwood, then call us immediately for a free product liability case evaluation. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Nationwide Help Available. For immediate attorney help, call us toll free at 1-800-883-9858