NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,801 reports70,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Exterior LightingStructureUnknown Or Other
THE 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2011 EDGE PERIODICALLY COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE WARNING INDICATES THAT VARIOUS DOORS ARE OPEN. SOMETIMES IT'S THE DRIVER DOOR; OTHER TIMES IT'S THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR OR THE BACK GATE. EACH TIME THE DOORS WERE CLOSED PROPERLY, HOWEVER THE SENSOR THINKS THAT THE DOORS ARE OPEN. THIS MALFUNC…
Read full complaint
THE 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2011 EDGE PERIODICALLY COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE WARNING INDICATES THAT VARIOUS DOORS ARE OPEN. SOMETIMES IT'S THE DRIVER DOOR; OTHER TIMES IT'S THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR OR THE BACK GATE. EACH TIME THE DOORS WERE CLOSED PROPERLY, HOWEVER THE SENSOR THINKS THAT THE DOORS ARE OPEN. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SIDE MIRRORS TO REMAIN ON, WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WAS A PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM, I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THE 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING IS A COMMON AND WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD PRODUCTS INCLUDING THE EDGE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A RESULT OF USE OR WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE; IT CLEARLY IS A MECHANICAL /ENGINEERING FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS SITUATION IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2016, I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER (CRC), EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND SEEKING HELP. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER (CAS-10612005-P1F4G7) AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2016, A SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE FROM BEAU TOWNSEND FORD INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE DOOR LATCH AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $385.00 PER LATCH. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR.NEXT, I CALLED THE CRC TO APPEAL THE DECISION.I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I HAD NO FURTHER RECOURSE REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10910136
45,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Unknown Or Other
THE DOORS ALWAYS SHOW AJAR. THE DEALER HAS WORKED ON OUR CAR AT LEAST 3 TIMES NOW IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US TO FIX IT. THE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IT RUINS THE BATTERY. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND THE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF UNTIL YOU GET MOVING DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10910104
32,500 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE POWER TRAIN FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,5…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE POWER TRAIN FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10910022
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
DOOR AJAR LIGHTS REMAINS ON. DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT OPENED, ALARM SOUNDS MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY.
NHTSA ODI #10909845
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON, ACTS AS IF DRIVERS DOOR ISN'T CLOSED. ALSO PREVENTS US FROM LOCKING VEHICLE UP WHEN WE LEAVE IT. STARTED WITH ONLY DRIVER DOOR. NOW IS REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ALSO. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF FAMILY AND OUR VALUABLES WITH THIS ISSUE THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI #10909818
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING A DOOR AJAR ISSUE WITH MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR EVEN THOUGH MY DOOR IS COMPLETELY CLOSED AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN. DO THEY HAVE A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT ALREADY HAS FUEL PROBLEM…
Read full complaint
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING A DOOR AJAR ISSUE WITH MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR EVEN THOUGH MY DOOR IS COMPLETELY CLOSED AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON RUNNING MY BATTERY DOWN. DO THEY HAVE A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT ALREADY HAS FUEL PROBLEMS .
NHTSA ODI #10909595
36,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN I PULL INTO A PARKING STALL AND WHEN I BACK OUT AND U TURNS.ITS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERANT SHOPS. ONE SHOP REPLACED THE STRUT, STRUT TOWER BARRING ,LOWER A ARM,AXEL,STRUT MOUNT,AND THE POWER STEERING.THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.THE NEXT SHOP REPLACES THE RACK AND PINION AND ITS…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN I PULL INTO A PARKING STALL AND WHEN I BACK OUT AND U TURNS.ITS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERANT SHOPS. ONE SHOP REPLACED THE STRUT, STRUT TOWER BARRING ,LOWER A ARM,AXEL,STRUT MOUNT,AND THE POWER STEERING.THE NOISE IS STILL THERE.THE NEXT SHOP REPLACES THE RACK AND PINION AND ITS STILL THERE. ITHY SAID IT IS A BREAK IN THE BODY WELD SOME WERE BUT THY DONT KNOW WERE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SPOK WITH A GENTELMAN NAMED MARK BUT HE WAS OF NO HELP TO ME. I TOOL THE VEHICLE TO A AUTOBODY SHOP BUT THY COULD NOT FIGUER IT OUT EITHER. IF THERE IS A BREAK IN THE WELD ITS IS A UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE. MARK FROM FORD MOTER COMPANY WILL NOT RETURN MY PHONE CALLS TO TRY AND HELP ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE.ITS BEEN TWO MONTHS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS AND I CANT GET NO HELP THE ONE TIME I SPOK WITH MARK FROM FORD HE WAS SAYING IF THE CAR CANT BE FIXED HE WOULD TAKE THE STEPS TO GET ME OUT OF THE CAR AND INTO SOMETHING ELSE BUT LIKE I SAID I HAVE YET TO SEEP WITH HIM.IM TO THE PIONT THAT IF WE CANT GET THIS RESOLVED IM GOING TO GET A LAWER .IN THE WHOLE PROSSES IM PAYING FOR A VEHICLE I DONT WANT RO PUT MY KIDS IN LET ALONE DRIVE IT NOT KNOWING IF SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN SO PLEAS HELP ME IN ANY WAY POSSABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10909396
105,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10908865
87,000 miles · Sep 22, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
PURCHASED MY 2011 FORD EDGE IN JUNE/JULY OF 2014 FOR JC LEWIS FORD IN SAVANNAH, GA. TURNS OUT THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" IN PLACE BECAUSE THE BRAKE BOOSTER'S IN THIS CAR HAVE BEEN FAILING. I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY WOULD HAVE SOLD ME A CAR WITHOUT COMPLETING A REPAIR OR INFORMING ME OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MALFUNCTION. ABOUT …
Read full complaint
PURCHASED MY 2011 FORD EDGE IN JUNE/JULY OF 2014 FOR JC LEWIS FORD IN SAVANNAH, GA. TURNS OUT THERE WAS AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" IN PLACE BECAUSE THE BRAKE BOOSTER'S IN THIS CAR HAVE BEEN FAILING. I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY WOULD HAVE SOLD ME A CAR WITHOUT COMPLETING A REPAIR OR INFORMING ME OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MALFUNCTION. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN I WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO TAP THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, NOTHING HAPPENED! I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE AND, EVEN THEN, IT FELT LIKE I DID NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10908732
88,000 miles · Sep 22, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
DRIVER'S DOOR SENSOR IS BAD. VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT LOCK OR AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF INTERIOR LIGHTS. AT NIGHT, I HAVE TO BACK OUT OF A LONG DRIVEWAY ONLY BEING ABLE TO USE THE BACKUP CAMERA. ONCE IN FORWARD MOTION, THE LIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT…
Read full complaint
DRIVER'S DOOR SENSOR IS BAD. VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT LOCK OR AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF INTERIOR LIGHTS. AT NIGHT, I HAVE TO BACK OUT OF A LONG DRIVEWAY ONLY BEING ABLE TO USE THE BACKUP CAMERA. ONCE IN FORWARD MOTION, THE LIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN OFF BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT LOCK. WHAT IS TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM WALKING UP TO AND OPENING MY CAR DOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT?? ON ONE OCCASION, THE DOOR AJAR ICON DID NOT COME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR BUT CAME ON ABOUT 8 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO, WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR AND LOCK IT, IT STILL DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE DOOR IS SHUT AND DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AGAIN. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS AROUND $600.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE, I PAID THEM $65.00 TO "CLEAN THE SENSOR" BECAUSE THE GUY SAID THAT IT MIGHT CORRECT THE ISSUE OR AT LEAST HOLD IT OFF A WHILE. I PICKED THE CAR BACK UP 3 DAYS AGO AND NOW THAT DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. BEFORE, I COULD AT LEAST OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR ABOUT 3-4 TIMES AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10908728
Official recalls
3Feb 24, 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FORD F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE, AND LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED USING INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (IDS) THAT HAD A CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE TO READ THE SUSPECT BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) SERIAL NUMBER. BASED ON THE SERIAL NUMBER THE BCM WAS EITHER NOT AFFECTED OR REPLACED. THE CUSTOM SOFTWARE ROUTINE WAS NOT READING THE CORRECT SET OF CHARACTERS, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY A BCM THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AFFECTED BCMS MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Dec 29, 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES. DURING A SIX-DAY PRODUCTION PERIOD, THE SUPPLIER OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE MANUFACTURED MODULES THAT MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INTERNAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Oct 27, 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 2010. THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH INCORRECTLY CONFIGURED ELECTRONIC MODULE SETTINGS THAT DISABLE THE LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE LIFTGATE. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LIFTGATE LOCK MAY BE DISABLED AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LOCK THE LIFTGATE USING INTERIOR LOCK SWITCHES OR REMOTE KEY FOB BUTTONS.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL HAVE THE AFFECTED CONTROL MODULES UPDATED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE16012 · Door Ajar Warning Light Always On
Opened Sep 28, 2016 · Closed Mar 20, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Interior Lighting; Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on September 28, 2016 based on allegations that the door ajar light located on the instrument cluster stays on all of the time even when all doors are closed and fully latched on 2011-2013 model year Ford Edge vehicles.When the light is illuminated continuously, vehicle occupants cannot be certain if any of the doors are properly latched.Reported safety consequences as a result of this issue include doors opening while driving (because doors were initially not latched properly), doors cannot be locked while driving, and the interior dome lights staying on continuously. Ford data received from the Information Request letter corresponding to this investigation indicates the failures were caused by contamination of the electrical contacts on the switch located within each door latch that tells the vehicle if the door is open or closed.All four doors contain the same latch design and switch.According to Ford, the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors the position of the switch and continuously samples it to detect a state of change.After a closed door state is detected, a continuous wetting current designed to keep the electrical contacts clean is sent from the BCM to the switches as long as the BCM is active.Beginning with the 2011 model year Edge vehicles, a change in BCM strategy resulted in a reduction of the wetting current sent out to clean the switch contacts by more than 75%.Over time, this low level of current is not sufficient to keep the switch contacts clean and contamination build up causes them to fail as described above.During the course of this investigation, ODI has identified a total of 1,983 complaints related to the door ajar light.Of these complaints, 14 indicated that a door opened while driving.Twelve of the 14 door opening events were situations where an occupant of the vehicle (often a child) opened a passenger door because the doors were not locked.The remaining two complaints involved a door opening on its own because the driver was unaware that the door was unlatched.There were no accidents but one complainant reported that a shoulder injury was caused by the driver having to repeatedly slam the door in an effort to get the door ajar light to turn off.After reviewing all available data, an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety has not been identified.The door latches themselves continue to function properly, remaining securely latched until acted upon by a driver or passenger.Child safety locks on the rear doors continue to function properly and can be used to prevent the rear doors from opening via the inside door handles.Vehicle crashworthiness is not affected by the lock condition of the doors and all active safety systems continue to function normally even if the vehicle BCM believes one or more doors is open.In addition, no accidents or accident related injuries have been reported.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.ODI numbers for the reports cited above are shown in the attached document.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Interior Lighting
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on September 28, 2016 based on allegations that the door ajar light located on the instrument cluster stays on all of the time even when all doors are closed and fully latched on 2011-2013 model year Ford Edge vehicles.When the light is illuminated continuously, vehicle occupants cannot be certain if any of the doors are properly latched.Reported safety consequences as a result of this issue include doors opening while driving (because doors were initially not latched properly), doors cannot be locked while driving, and the interior dome lights staying on continuously. Ford data received from the Information Request letter corresponding to this investigation indicates the failures were caused by contamination of the electrical contacts on the switch located within each door latch that tells the vehicle if the door is open or closed.All four doors contain the same latch design and switch.According to Ford, the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors the position of the switch and continuously samples it to detect a state of change.After a closed door state is detected, a continuous wetting current designed to keep the electrical contacts clean is sent from the BCM to the switches as long as the BCM is active.Beginning with the 2011 model year Edge vehicles, a change in BCM strategy resulted in a reduction of the wetting current sent out to clean the switch contacts by more than 75%.Over time, this low level of current is not sufficient to keep the switch contacts clean and contamination build up causes them to fail as described above.During the course of this investigation, ODI has identified a total of 1,983 complaints related to the door ajar light.Of these complaints, 14 indicated that a door opened while driving.Twelve of the 14 door opening events were situations where an occupant of the vehicle (often a child) opened a passenger door because the doors were not locked.The remaining two complaints involved a door opening on its own because the driver was unaware that the door was unlatched.There were no accidents but one complainant reported that a shoulder injury was caused by the driver having to repeatedly slam the door in an effort to get the door ajar light to turn off.After reviewing all available data, an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety has not been identified.The door latches themselves continue to function properly, remaining securely latched until acted upon by a driver or passenger.Child safety locks on the rear doors continue to function properly and can be used to prevent the rear doors from opening via the inside door handles.Vehicle crashworthiness is not affected by the lock condition of the doors and all active safety systems continue to function normally even if the vehicle BCM believes one or more doors is open.In addition, no accidents or accident related injuries have been reported.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.ODI numbers for the reports cited above are shown in the attached document.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on September 28, 2016 based on allegations that the door ajar light located on the instrument cluster stays on all of the time even when all doors are closed and fully latched on 2011-2013 model year Ford Edge vehicles.When the light is illuminated continuously, vehicle occupants cannot be certain if any of the doors are properly latched.Reported safety consequences as a result of this issue include doors opening while driving (because doors were initially not latched properly), doors cannot be locked while driving, and the interior dome lights staying on continuously. Ford data received from the Information Request letter corresponding to this investigation indicates the failures were caused by contamination of the electrical contacts on the switch located within each door latch that tells the vehicle if the door is open or closed.All four doors contain the same latch design and switch.According to Ford, the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors the position of the switch and continuously samples it to detect a state of change.After a closed door state is detected, a continuous wetting current designed to keep the electrical contacts clean is sent from the BCM to the switches as long as the BCM is active.Beginning with the 2011 model year Edge vehicles, a change in BCM strategy resulted in a reduction of the wetting current sent out to clean the switch contacts by more than 75%.Over time, this low level of current is not sufficient to keep the switch contacts clean and contamination build up causes them to fail as described above.During the course of this investigation, ODI has identified a total of 1,983 complaints related to the door ajar light.Of these complaints, 14 indicated that a door opened while driving.Twelve of the 14 door opening events were situations where an occupant of the vehicle (often a child) opened a passenger door because the doors were not locked.The remaining two complaints involved a door opening on its own because the driver was unaware that the door was unlatched.There were no accidents but one complainant reported that a shoulder injury was caused by the driver having to repeatedly slam the door in an effort to get the door ajar light to turn off.After reviewing all available data, an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety has not been identified.The door latches themselves continue to function properly, remaining securely latched until acted upon by a driver or passenger.Child safety locks on the rear doors continue to function properly and can be used to prevent the rear doors from opening via the inside door handles.Vehicle crashworthiness is not affected by the lock condition of the doors and all active safety systems continue to function normally even if the vehicle BCM believes one or more doors is open.In addition, no accidents or accident related injuries have been reported.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.ODI numbers for the reports cited above are shown in the attached document.
Latches/locks/linkages
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on September 28, 2016 based on allegations that the door ajar light located on the instrument cluster stays on all of the time even when all doors are closed and fully latched on 2011-2013 model year Ford Edge vehicles.When the light is illuminated continuously, vehicle occupants cannot be certain if any of the doors are properly latched.Reported safety consequences as a result of this issue include doors opening while driving (because doors were initially not latched properly), doors cannot be locked while driving, and the interior dome lights staying on continuously. Ford data received from the Information Request letter corresponding to this investigation indicates the failures were caused by contamination of the electrical contacts on the switch located within each door latch that tells the vehicle if the door is open or closed.All four doors contain the same latch design and switch.According to Ford, the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors the position of the switch and continuously samples it to detect a state of change.After a closed door state is detected, a continuous wetting current designed to keep the electrical contacts clean is sent from the BCM to the switches as long as the BCM is active.Beginning with the 2011 model year Edge vehicles, a change in BCM strategy resulted in a reduction of the wetting current sent out to clean the switch contacts by more than 75%.Over time, this low level of current is not sufficient to keep the switch contacts clean and contamination build up causes them to fail as described above.During the course of this investigation, ODI has identified a total of 1,983 complaints related to the door ajar light.Of these complaints, 14 indicated that a door opened while driving.Twelve of the 14 door opening events were situations where an occupant of the vehicle (often a child) opened a passenger door because the doors were not locked.The remaining two complaints involved a door opening on its own because the driver was unaware that the door was unlatched.There were no accidents but one complainant reported that a shoulder injury was caused by the driver having to repeatedly slam the door in an effort to get the door ajar light to turn off.After reviewing all available data, an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety has not been identified.The door latches themselves continue to function properly, remaining securely latched until acted upon by a driver or passenger.Child safety locks on the rear doors continue to function properly and can be used to prevent the rear doors from opening via the inside door handles.Vehicle crashworthiness is not affected by the lock condition of the doors and all active safety systems continue to function normally even if the vehicle BCM believes one or more doors is open.In addition, no accidents or accident related injuries have been reported.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.ODI numbers for the reports cited above are shown in the attached document.