Ford Recalling 280,000 F-150 Trucks

By Sonia Isotov

Popular on Maui, Ford Motor Co. is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 F-150 vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2008, through November 30, 2009. The recall could affect potentially 280,946 vehicles.

According to the filing with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, “the Interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage resulting in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed position.”

In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open.

Owners will be initially notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer if any interior door handle is loose or fails to return to the stowed position after activation for replacement of the affect module.

Once parts become available, owners will be re-notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury Dealer for Inspection of each interior door handle.

Depending on the results of the inspection, the dealer will either add a spring embossment reinforcement or replace the interior door handle module free of charge.

The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 14, 2011. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.