Vehicles Affected: Approximately 64,000 model-year 2013-17 Ford Focus hatchbacks manufactured between Feb. 12, 2012, and Aug. 26, 2016, and equipped with manual transmissions; and model-year 2016-17 Ford Focus RS cars manufactured between Aug. 3, 2015, and Aug. 26, 2016, also equipped with manual transmissions
The Problem: In the affected vehicles, the rear hatchback can be unlocked and unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release when moving up to 4 mph. The latch release button is found on the left side of the steering column. The automaker noted that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the issue.
The Fix: Federal regulations require two separate actions to unlock the hatch and operate the interior latch release control mechanism. Dealers will reprogram the body control module with updated software for free.
What Owners Should Do:Ford did not immediately announce an owner-notification schedule. Owners can call the automaker at 866-436-7332 for more info.
Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Newman is a journalist with more than 25 years of experience, including 15 years as an automotive journalist at Cars.com. Jennifer leads the Editorial team in its mission of helping car shoppers find the vehicle that best fits their life. A mom of two, she’s graduated from kids in car seats to teens behind the steering wheel. She’s also a certified car-seat technician with more than 12 years of experience, as well as member of the World Car Jury, Automotive Press Association and Midwest Automotive Media Association.
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