Drivers side door will not latch close

Tiny
JANJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD FOCUS
  • 40,000 MILES
Latch is in the open position. I can move close with screwdriver.
Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 10:56 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
Ford has a recall for this concern. Have you had this done?
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Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
JANJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
First I have heard of it. Thank you. I will contact my dealer.
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Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
No problem! Let us know if you need any additional assistance.
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Thursday, September 26th, 2019 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
JOE DALY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD FOCUS
  • 1.4L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
When you try to close the door it seems to catch but not close fully, if you push from outside at latch area it closes okay but will not close from inside the car. It has started to open now during driving, it seems that the latch is not closing properly on the catch.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Yep. That is the latch. Those have a gear inside of them and when the latch hits the striker on the door post the gear spins and then locks the latch in place over the striker which holds the door closed. When that gear wears out, you only get the first part to hold which causes the door to stay open just a touch. Then you can push on it and it will latch. Eventually, your door will not latch at all.

Here is the procedure for replacing that latch (assuming it is the front door because it did not say if this was a coupe or sedan).

Please let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks

Kenny
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE DALY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi. Thank you for your help.
Joe
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
KASEKENNY1 is one of our newest and quickly becoming our best! Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACHARYKING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
The latch isnt stuck closed, the latch just wont close and lock into position. This was the result of have to forcefully pull frozen door open from the outside in sub zero temp.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
This sounds like the door latch has failed and replacement is required I have included the door latch replacement instruction in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MYSELF
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD FOCUS
2002 Ford Focus 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

how to adjust the door to close correctly
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

If the door drops down and doesn't close properly it is most likely the door hinge pins. They will have to be replaced.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)

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