The problem
Certain passenger vehicles with four or five doors and originally sold in or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, a build-up of corrosion at the pawl pivot area of the rear door latch can cause a binding condition of the pawl that May affect proper engagement of the pawl into the catch. The occupant May experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door May not latch properly.
The risk
If not latched properly, the door May open while the vehicle is in motion. If an occupant fell out of the vehicle, personal injuries could occur.
The fix
Dealers will have a lower rocker seal added to the door and have the rear door latches evaluated free of charge. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced. In addition, a sticker will be affixed to the rear doors advising the owners to use the recommended lubricant. The recall began on March 9, 2005. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 05V-030 (05V030000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 05S27 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch |
| Report date | February 1, 2005 |
| Owners notified | March 9, 2005 |
| Vehicles affected | 589,932 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 05V-030 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will have a lower rocker seal added to the door and have the rear door latches evaluated free of charge. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 589,932 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.