Ford to recall Focus for faulty door latch 358,857 cars from 2000-2002 affected

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. is recalling 358,857 Focus cars because their rear passenger doors may not latch properly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Ford spokeswoman said Monday.

The recall affects four- and five-door Focus cars from the 2000-2002 model years. All of the vehicles were sold or are registered in 20 Eastern and Midwestern states and the District of Columbia, NHTSA said.

One person reported a minor wrist injury because of the defect, Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said. There are 33 complaints about the defect listed on NHTSA’s Web site.

The defect is caused by corrosion of the latch. The door may be difficult to open and close, and eventually may not close at all.

Kinley said Ford will begin notifying customers about the recall on March 1. Ford dealers will replace corroded latches for free or will clean and lubricate unaffected latches to prevent corrosion.

The states where the affected Focus cars were sold or are registered are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The NHTSA also said Monday that DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling 26,000 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles from the 2005 model year because the fuel tank filler valve may not fully close after refueling. Fuel could leak from the vehicle if the valve isn’t closed.

DaimlerChrysler hasn’t yet determined when the recall will begin, NHTSA said.