Recall 06V383000: Door Latch Modification

MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:

Ford/Five Hundred 2005

Ford/Freestyle 2005-2006

Mercury/Montego 2005

MANUFACTURER: Ford Motor Company

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V383000 MFG'S REPORT DATE: September 28, 2006

COMPONENT: Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 139537

SUMMARY:
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The side door latch mechanisms may experience water intrusion allowing the latch mechanism to freeze in cold weather.

CONSEQUENCE:
As a result, the door latch pawl may not return to the latch position when the door is closed, and the door could open while the vehicle is moving.

REMEDY:
dealers will install a shield over the front latches; seal a drain hole in the rear window trim molding on the Freestyle rear side doors; and apply grease to all front and rear side-door latch mechanisms free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before November 3, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

NOTES:
Ford recall No. 06S45. Customers can also contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.