Probe looks at Ford Focus doors

Probe looks at Ford Focus doors

DETROIT

U.S. auto-safety regulators have opened an investigation into complaints that doors won’t latch properly on about 400,000 Ford Focus compact cars, including some reports that the doors have opened while the cars are moving.

The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers Focuses from the 2012 and 2013 model years, according to documents posted Wednesday on the agency’s website. It’s similar to an investigation that caused a recall last year of more than 456,000 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion and Fiesta models.

In the documents, the agency says 73 drivers have reported problems with latches. In one case, a driver reported an injury when a door rebounded after an attempt to close it.

Wal-Mart raises

NEW YORK

Wal-Mart is giving raises to the vast majority of its U.S. employees as part of the world’s largest retailer’s previously announced investment in its workforce. The move comes as it seeks to hold onto workers in an increasingly competitive market.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday said more than 1.2 million U.S. hourly workers will get wage increases Feb. 20. The company, the largest U.S. private employer with 1.4 million total workers, also said it will provide free, basic short-term disability to full-time hourly workers. And it will start allowing workers to accrue paid time off as they earn it.

Associated Press