Symptoms
Ford's description is the useful part: "the doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed." The last five words are the danger — the door gives no sign before it matters.
Likely cause
Two separate faults recalled together. One is mechanical: the cable that pulls the latch is bent or kinked. The other is environmental: water gets into the latch and it freezes, which makes this a cold-climate problem more than a mileage one. Ford's remedy addresses both — inspect the cables, and fit water shields over the latches.
How should it be checked?
Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 17V-652 shows open, a dealer inspects the actuation cables, repairs them where needed, and installs the water shields at no cost. Recalls do not expire. If it shows complete, open and shut each of the four doors and listen for a clean, positive latch on all of them.
How can you check it yourself?
Shut every door properly, including the rear ones, and check each latches first time without needing a second push. Look at the door handles: chrome covers on a truck that is otherwise black or body-coloured trim is the specific combination the second recall is about.
The question to ask the shop
Have recalls 17V-652 and 17V-331 been completed on this VIN? Were the water shields actually fitted, or was the truck only inspected? Have any of the doors ever needed a latch or handle repair?
