Common Ford Door Handle Problems
Only a few things are more frustrating than a malfunctioning door handle. If you’re a Ford owner with a problematic door handle, you’re probably looking to get the issue fixed as soon as possible. The first step is figuring out what went wrong with your door handle.
This guide might help with that. We’ll list the 2 most common door handle issues on Ford vehicles and then discuss how to address each one.
1. Door Handle Falling Off
Many owners of Explorers and other Ford models have had their door handles fall apart when they tried to open their doors. Many attribute this issue to a small plastic part in the lock area of the handle that’s prone to breaking off at the connection point. When that component breaks off, the handle slides back and then disconnects from the latch.
If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is to replace the door handle.
2. Door Latch Failure
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Earlier this decade, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noticed an unusual amount of complaints about Ford doors flying open in the middle of traffic. The complaints were prevalent among owners of Fiesta, Fusion, and Lincoln MKZ models. After investigating the issue, NHTSA found defects in Ford’s pawl spring tab. The design prevented the pawl spring tab from properly latching the doors shut. The problem was so common that Ford issued a recall for 2.3 million vehicles.
There have also been complaints about the door latches being frozen shut in cold weather. As a result, Ford recalled 1.3 million F-150 trucks.
If you’re experiencing an issue with your Ford door latches or pawl spring tabs, ask your dealer to check if your vehicle is under recall for this problem.
Repairing or replacing your door handle is something you can definitely do yourself with the right tools and resources. You'll also get to save a lot of money, especially if you order replacement components from us at wholesale pricing. We carry all kinds of genuine OEM Ford replacement door handles and components, ranging from trim to links to entire door handle assemblies. Take a look at our catalog to see all we have to offer!