Ford Motor Co. announced plans to recall 766,682 2013-15 model-year Ford C-MAX, 2013-15 Ford Escape, 2012-15 Ford Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, and 2014-16 Ford Transit Connect vehicles in the U.S. to replace side door latches.

In these vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break and subsequently prevent the door from latching, Ford said in a released statement. In certain situations, when the door does close, it may unlatch while the vehicle is in operation and pose a safety risk.

Because the rate of reports is higher for vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures and solar loading, this recall is focused primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon, and Washington.

Ford noted it has identified one reported accident and one reported injury that may be related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include those built:

• 2013-15 C-MAX — Michigan Assembly Plant, April 19, 2012 to Jan. 31, 2015

• 2013-15 Escape — Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 19, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2015

• 2012-15 Focus — Michigan Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2015

• 2015 Lincoln MKC — Louisville Assembly Plant, Dec. 4, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2015

• 2015 Mustang — Flat Rock Assembly Plant, May 28, 2014 to April 30, 2015

• 2014-16 Transit Connect — Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Feb. 1, 2016.

In addition to the 766,682 vehicles recalled in the U.S., 61,371 are being recalled in Mexico for this problem.

Dealers will replace side door latches at no cost to the customer. In addition, Ford will launch a corresponding customer satisfaction program for vehicles outside the scope of this recall, the automaker said.

“If a vehicle exhibits a broken door latch, Ford will provide a one-time replacement at no charge for the life of the vehicle,” the company said.