What 3,789 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Focus RS

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT ACROSS AN INTERSECTION, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, JERKED THE WHEEL OUT OF MY HAND, AND KEPT THE CAR MOVING STRAIGHT FORWARD. I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING ANOTHER CAR AS MY HUSBAND HELPED ME TUG ON THE WHEEL TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POWER ASSIST LIGHT WAS ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED, AND I AM AFRAID OF IT HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11114002

TWICE SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. MY WIFE SAYS THERE IS A MESSAGE ON THE DASH DISPLAY ABOUT THE STEERING. BOTH TIMES SHE SHOWED ME THE STEERING BEING LOCKED UP IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND RESTARTING. SHE TOLD ME THIS MORNING IT HAS HAPPENED TO HER WHILE DRIVING ONCE ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH . SHE WAS ABLE TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE SHOULDER. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I STILL OWE A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR AND I CAN'T EVEN GIVE IT AWAY WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11113528

THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, IN ALL CAPACITIES. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE REMOTE LOCKING FEATURE ON THE KEY. LATER, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN IN CITY TRAFFIC, TRYING TO SIGNAL TO ANOTHER DRIVER THEY WERE MAKING A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC VIOLATION, I DISCOVERED THE HORN ITSELF, AND NOT THE KEY INTERFACE, WAS TO BLAME.

NHTSA ODI 11113555

ABOUT TO DRIVE TO WORK, I TURNED MY CAR ON AND SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF WAITING. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, I REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND I WAS GOING STRAIGHT TOWARDS AN APARTMENT BUILDING THAT BORDERS THE PARKING LOT. I PARKED THE CAR AND NOTICED A WARNING ON THE SCREEN IN THE CAR THAT STATED 'POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION.' I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN. THE WARNING WAS NO LONGER PRESENT. AROUND TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHILE LEAVING A GAS STATION; THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED. MY INTENTION WAS TO TURN AND EXIT TO A STREET, BUT I REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN SEEMED TO ALLOW THE STEERING TO BECOME NORMAL AND THE WARNING WAS NO LONGER PRESENT. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION MAKES IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE WARNING IS NOT SEEN SOON ENOUGH.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. GRIECO FORD OF FORT LAUDERDALE (1333 N FEDERAL HWY, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304, (954) 390-6400) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED MY ISSUE IS RELATED TO RECALL 16S30-SIDE DOOR LATCH REPLACEMENT. MY CAR'S VIN ISN'T LISTED AS ONE OF THE AFFECTED UNITS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED THE VERY ISSUE RELATED TO THIS RECALL! CONSUMER ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THREE DOORS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE CAR DUE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR NOT ABLE TO LATCH SHUT.*JB THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS.*JS

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHUDDERING AND INADVERTENTLY SHIFTED GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALER (CAPITAL FORD OF CHARLOTTE, 5411 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213) STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WITH AN ENGINE MODULE AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113011

I HAD THE DOOR ACTUATORS/LATCHES REPLACED IN MAY OF 2017. THE LEFT REAR DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL FAILED AGAIN AND THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CLOSED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE ACTUATORS UNDER THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE ACTUATORS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE INSTALLATION DATE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ACTUATORS UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. EITHER THE PART DID NOT GET REPLACED AS THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DID, OR THE RECALLED PARTS ARE FAILING IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE OEM PARTS ARE FAILING.

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POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. DRIVING AROUND TOWN ALL DAY, PARKED THE VEHICLE THEN UPON RESTARTING THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NO LONGER WORKS. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 34,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11112852

TAKATA RECALL - POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION . STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE TURNING ON OR DRIVING THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE IT'S DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI 11112879

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING, MY RADIO MADE A VERY LOUD POP SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT NOISE, THEN STOPPED PLAYING MUSIC AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THIS WOULD HAPPEN PERIODICALLY. IN ABOUT THE PAST 2 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE OFTEN, AND NOW THE RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THE NOISE COMING FROM THE SPEAKER HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IT NOW CRACKLES, BOOMS, MAKES HIGH PITCHED NOISES, SOME OF WHICH ARE EXTREMELY LOUD. THESE NOISES NOW HAPPEN ALL THE TIME- WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND IN DRIVE (ANY SPEED), STOPPED, IN PARK, AND EVEN HAPPEN WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY OFF, NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. BEING SOMEONE WHO SCARES EASILY, THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IF IT HAPPENED AT THE RIGHT MOMENT, THESE LOUD NOISES WOULD CAUSE ME TO CRASH. THERE IS NO RECALL AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION WHERE FORD EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH A QUICK SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH MANY FOCUSES AND SIMILAR MODELS. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS BUT UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT FIGURE OUT A FORMAT THAT WILL WORK TO UPLOAD THEM HERE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND THEM ANOTHER WAY IF WHO EVER RECEIVES THIS COMPLAINT WOULD LIKE.

NHTSA ODI 11112577

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 71 MILES TO EMPTY, 2 DAYS AFTER DEALER SUPPOSEDLY RECALIBRATED FUEL GAUGE BY REPROGRAMMING COMPUTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. DEALER SAYS CLUTCH (IN THIS AUTOMATIC VEHICLE) FAILED "SHUDDER TEST", AND NEEDS $1500 REPLACEMENT. HE SAYS THIS COULD EXPLAIN CAR SHUTTING OFF. I CANNOT RISK MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER BEING STRANDED BY THIS CAR. VERY DISAPPOINTED INFORD AND THIS DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11112771

POWER SHIFT TRANSMISSION, BOTH CLUTCHES WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS, WHILE IN MOTION AT 55MPH ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY ENGINE SURGES WITHOUT ACCELERATION, TACH UP TO 6000RPM; AT LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, JERKS, DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11112286

POWER STEERING MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DTC U3000:49-48 WAS THE CODE FROM THE DEALER. THE STEERING ASSIT LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11112448

I OWN A 2012 FORD FOCUS SE HATCHBACK WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE SPORT PACKAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM A DEALER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN JANUARY 2012. STARTING WITH AROUND 80,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND OCCURRING PERIODICALLY EVER SINCE, WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE IS FIRST TURNED ON, THE POWER STEERING IS NOT ACTIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IF I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, A "STEERING MALFUNCTION" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, IF I START THE CAR AND DON'T ATTEMPT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR 5-10 SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE IS FIRST TURNED ON, THE POWER STEERING IS ACTIVE WITH NO ISSUES. IN THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE THE "STEERING MALFUNCTION" WARNING INDICATOR HAS COME ON, I SIMPLY TURN OFF THE CAR, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. IF I WAIT THE 5-10 SECONDS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE PROBLEM IS GONE, AND THE WARNING INDICATOR IS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. DURING THE 78 MONTHS I'VE OWNED THIS CAR, I HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE A SITUATION WHERE THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY DEACTIVATES WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, ALTHOUGH I HAVE HEARD OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR 2012 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES REPORT SUCH POWER STEERING OUTAGES AND AM AWARE THAT A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH AND FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY FROM PARK INTO OTHER GEARS. THE DEALER (HAGERSTOWN FORD, 1714 MASSEY BLVD, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (301) 733-3673) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11111906

RANDOMLY SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IS 2014 POWER ASSIST DEFAULT WOULD SHOW UP ON THE SCREEN AND THEN I WOULD BE LEFT WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I LEARNED TO PULL OVER TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD WORK NORMAL AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAPPENED IN BAD PLACES THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK. I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND WAS ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT IT HAPPENING. I HAVE RAN INTO A DITCH BECAUSE OF IT BUT WASN'T HURT. IT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED AND DOWN ANY ROAD. ON JULY 17, 2018 IT DID IT BUT NOW IT WONT TURN FIX IT WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF. SO I'M GUESSING IT HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. THEY SAID ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO THERE WERE NO RECALLS. I TOLD THEM I HAVE READ A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR. I CALLED TODAY TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND HE SAID TO BRING IT IN. 109.00 JUST TO CHECK AND SEE IF IT NEEDS A COMPUTER RESET WHICH HE SAID WAS PROBABLY THE PROBLEM. I DOUBT IT I ASKED HOW MUCH THAT WOULD BE AND HE SAID WE WOULD TALK WHEN I GOT THERE. I HAVE NOT WENT BC ITS GONNA BE HARD TO DRIVE AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THEY HAVE RECALLED MANY OTHERS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHY ARE THEY LEAVING THE FOCUS OWNERS WITH A DANGEROUS CAR? WE HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORDS. BUT I PROMISE THIS IS THE LAST ONE WE EVER GET. IF THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT FAMILIES SAFETY THEY WILL GET NO MORE MONEY FROM US

NHTSA ODI 11112037

LAST MONTH CHECK ENGINE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. CAR JERKED AND ACTED AS IF IT WANTED TO CUT OFF AND WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. WHILE DRIVING ON JULY 14TH AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY REPROGRAMMED TCM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE SAME CODE AS BEFORE ABOUT SHIFT FORK B ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JERKED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ACTED AS IF IT WANTED TO CUT OFF AND NOT ACCELERATE. FORD STATES THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS ON THE CLUTCH AND TCM FAILURE.

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WHEN ENTERING THE CAR I HEAR A STATIC SOUND , CHECK RADIO AND IT'S OFF. WHEN I TURN OFF MOTOR AND GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK IN AS A STATIC SOUND FROM THE RADIO LIKE IT'S ON

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HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ASSIST.IT LOCKS UP STARING WILL.AND TURN OFF VEHICLE SENSOR WARNING GOES AWAY DRY FOR A WHILE SENSOR WARNING COMES BACK LOCKS UP STARING WILL. I HAVE NOT DROVING ON THE HIGHWAY . IT WILL LOCK UP STILL CAN'T FIND A RECALL ONE THIS PROBLEM IT COMES UP WHEN I DRIVE

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"STEERING WHEEL FAULT" HELLO, I HAVE A PROBLEM, I HAVE A 2012 FORD FOCUS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO MOVE AND A LIGHT THAT SAID STEERING WHEEL FAULT .. I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST HIT A TRACTOR.. I WAS READING ONLINE AND IT SAID THAT THERE IS ALOT OF ISSUE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS SUCH RECALLS

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THE CAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT CLOSE.

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POWER STEERING FAILED AROUND 75000 MILES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I LET IT BE BECAUSE IT WENT AWAY AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF BUT SINCE JANUARY 2018, THE CAR HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY WITHOUT POWER STEERING. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NO HELP AND ONLY REQUESTED THAT I GET A DIAGNOSTIC THAT COST 100$. THE DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED WHAT I SAID - THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING. THEY ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT 2100$. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMETHING WERE TO RUN OUT IN THE ROAD I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL FAST ENOUGH. ADDITIONALLY, I DON'T DRIVE OTHERS REALLY ANYMORE BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING THEIR SAFETY AT RISK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX. I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND I WROTE TO FORD EXECS (YES WROTE BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A NUMBER) MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT NHTSA SAID IT WASNT AN ISSUE SO THEY AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING. NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REQUIRE FORD TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS FOR THIS ISSUE AND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS MADE FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN OTHER FORD MODELS, SO I AM UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THE 2012 FORD FOCUS. ITS AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR FORD AND NHTSA AND MAKES ME AND PROBABLY ALL OF THESE OTHER PREVIOUSLY LOYAL CUSTOMERS NOT WANT TO BUY FORD AGAIN. TAKE ACTION. PEOPLE AND THEIR SAFETY ARE DEPENDING ON YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11110009

PARK ASSIST FAILURE MAKES THE CAR LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL DO IT WITH NO WARNING AND YOU ALL OF A SUDDEN CAN NOT STEER. IT WILL NOT RESET AND THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT AS IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN.

NHTSA ODI 11109841

THE CAR HAS A BAD STUTTER FROM COMPLETE STOPS, OR EVEN WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT STUTTERS AND SHAKES. EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS THE RPM STAGGERS FROM 200 TO 800 JUST SITTING STILL. WHEN I'M IN TRAFFIC GOING UNDER 40MPH THE RPM STAGGERS BETWEEN 1-2000 RPM IT'S JUST UNSAFE AND WORRISOME AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY FORD! I'VE READY SERVAL DIFFERENT BLOGS WITH VARIOUS CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! IT WOULD BE SAD FOR SOMEONE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEHIND THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE FORD WON'T ADDRESS AND HANDLE THE ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11109948

THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR CLOSE. IT WILL FLY OPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE BACKSEAT BUCKLED UP WHEN THE DOOR WHICH WAS LOCKED, FLEW OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WENT AROUND A TURN. I HAVE TO KEEP IT STRAPPED SHUT WITH A ROPE SO IT DOESN'T FLY OPEN AND HURT SOMEONE, AND I CAN'T HAVE MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. EVEN IF I HAD IT IN A DIFFERENT SEAT WHO KNOWS IF THE OTHER DOORS WILL GO TOO. IT DOES NOT CLOSE OR LOCK AT ALL, EVEN WHEN NOT TURNING THE DOOR JUST HANGS OPEN. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL BUT WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER IT SAYS IT'S NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.

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