rldechant

UPDATE:

So had the latch replaced this past weekend at my Ford dealer...to the tune of $425 bucks. The mechanic let me take a look at the old one (sorry, no pics), and it was corroded as F*%k!!!! Seems he was right and the elements, salt, brine, etc are working their way into these door units and mucking things up.

He did say that the new units had a different part number, and it appears they are more "sealed" that the factory ones in his opinion, which directly contradicts what another mechanic at the same dealership told me a few weeks ago about it "not being sealed"...so who knows what the deal is with THAT

Now fingers crossed for a recall to get reimbursed, or maybe get some $$ back from that class action Erikgrad mentioned...

 

Sorry about that - I admit I did overreact a bit to what you actually said based on what others have said in the past.

 

And I share the frustration that Ford doesn't always seem to fix these problems with a better part that won't fail again. It's a lot easier to accept a one time repair instead of an ongoing repair. That's happened with several parts on several different vehicles the last decade.

All good....I'll keep you all updated as to what the mechanic finds when he replaces the latch...(ie corrosion, wear, etc)

There have been others in the past who have claimed it's a serious safety issue to the point they are afraid to drive the vehicle. Yet they continue driving it hoping for Ford to issue a recall so they can get it done for free.

 

I have no problem with folks saying it's a safety issue. It is although I think it's pretty minimal, therefore I have no problem with folks asking for a recall.

 

I think at the least they should engineer a better part and extend the warranty to 100K miles. No disagreement there.

 

Where I have a problem is when people use the "serious safety issue" angle to the point they say they're afraid for their safety while driving yet they don't bother to spend a few hundred bucks to fix the problem for at least a few more years. They're exaggerating the safety issue just because they don't want to pay for the repair.

Yeah, I get what you're saying Akirby... I wasn't trying to suggest that I was just gonna sit on my rear and not get it fixed, just frustrated (as I can see many are on here are), that a component that seems to be linked to a crucial system on the car was designed so poorly that its failing all over the place...and no long term solution seems to have been presented by Ford as of yet...

So a follow up...

I went to my Ford dealer today and inquired about the door latch issue. They of course do admit its a problem, and that the first step they can take is some sort of electrical contact cleaning process that takes about 20 minuets. BUT... they admit this may or may not solve the issue, and it would be better to just replace the latch.

I used the information from you all here on the forum to ask some more questions of their mechanic, not the service department rep.

The mechanic admitted that the original latches and sensors are not a 'sealed" unit, so dirt, debris, and corrosion get into the latch and degrade the sensor contact to the point that it no longer functions...this is why they recommend replacement as opposed to cleaning the contacts. This corrosion also seems to occur mostly (but not always) on the door most used by the customer (ie, drivers door), since its opened the most and exposed to the elements most often.

I then asked if the new latch, (having read on here that the part number has changed, indicating some change in the part), was a "sealed" unit, to prevent further corrosion. He said it is NOT, it's simply a different sensor, and possibly more robust than the one originally installed on the car.

They cannot however, guarantee that this one will not fail after extended use as he has had to replace multiple door latches on some Fleet Edges and Explorers that he's already replaced before.

In short, even with a replaced latch, it may fail further down the line due to its "unsealed' design as he put it. The best advice the dealer mechanic could offer, from what he has seen, is to keep the latch clean and lubricated...and basically try not to leave your door open in the rain...and after car washes, open the door and dry out the door frame and where the latch secures to the frame of the car to prevent moisture from getting in.

If it's really such a safety issue, then you should replace the latch immediately. As long as you save the receipt, if a recall is issued later you will get reimbursed.

 

Not replacing the latch because you're waiting for a recall and then saying you're worried about your family's safety is ridiculous.

Well, akirby, I said it was "disturbing, not that I was "worried for their safety.'...so way to go for that one . I'd think as a "moderator", you'd be a little less prone to trying to dog someone out for posting on the forums when they'd like to talk about or vent on a technical issue that Ford should be recalling anyways. I'm pretty sure you guys want people to use the forums for folks to openly discuss things...and not be shamed for doing so.

This gremlin just reared its ugly head on my 2013 Edge SEL, with 43,000 miles on it. Read many of the quick fixes on the forums here and have tried a few with mixed success.

I hesitate to go further with some of the fixes that either require the cutting and grounding of the sensor wire, or using a small die grinder to carve away some plastic/metal from the sensor trigger as both of these require modifications that Ford could simply say "oops, YOU did that, so no recall for you".

I've also reported it to NHTSA, and hopefully it will initiate a recall!! Driving with my family, its disturbing that I can't "lock the doors" on the car while we are driving, especially with the kids in the car!!

Thanks for the files Pedro! Looks like that's what I'm going to have to do to fix this...crazy weird problem to have!

hmm...apparently I've stumped the forum on this one!

Hey all!

Began noticing this problem this past summer in the warmer weather, and now that winter is here I'm worried about all that salt and brine getting into the inner workings of my car. Has anyone had this happen to their Edge before or know of a fix? I'm not sure if this is a DIY repair and the handle can pry off so I can re-seat or replace this gasket, or if I have to take off the panel from inside to access it.

Like I said, worried about water and salt and stuff getting into the inner workings, plus it just looks like junk! Any thoughts or help would be appreciated!

Can't replace separately. New mirror for $173 http://m.ebay.com/itm/231949492657

Alas, $173 is a steep price to pay for what probably amounts to a $5 piece of plastic trim....I'll just have to keep hoping one pops up at a junkyard near me! oh well

I'm having the same issue with a broken piece of trim on my 2013 Edge. Does anyone know if this trim part can be purchased separately? Having a hard time finding any Edge's or MKZ's in a salvage yard around here.