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2001 Ford Ranger Ev

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

12 reports
45,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

THE "PLASTIC" WHICH COVERS THE TWO "SPEED CONTROL SWITCHES," LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL, BADLY MELTED OVER TIME - APPARENTLY FROM HEAT OF THE LAMPS UNDER THE COVERS. IT HAS MADE ME AFRAID TO ATTEMPT TO USE THE SPEED CONTROLS FOR FEAR OF FURTHER HEAT PROBLEMS AND/OR IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DAMAGED CONTROLS. …

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THE "PLASTIC" WHICH COVERS THE TWO "SPEED CONTROL SWITCHES," LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL, BADLY MELTED OVER TIME - APPARENTLY FROM HEAT OF THE LAMPS UNDER THE COVERS. IT HAS MADE ME AFRAID TO ATTEMPT TO USE THE SPEED CONTROLS FOR FEAR OF FURTHER HEAT PROBLEMS AND/OR IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DAMAGED CONTROLS. PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED PARTS ARE ATTACHED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS AND PHOTOS AND ALL I GOT WAS A "THANKS" FOR MAKING THIS KNOWN TO THEM - NOTHING MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11193434

103,000 miles · Jun 6, 2016
Suspension

THIS 2001 FORD RANGER TRUCK'S BODY AND INTERIOR ARE PERFECT. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED AND NO ONE WANTS TO PASS IT FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE FRAME. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE TRUCK HAS 103,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND IS MECHANICALLY PERFECT. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPA…

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THIS 2001 FORD RANGER TRUCK'S BODY AND INTERIOR ARE PERFECT. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED AND NO ONE WANTS TO PASS IT FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE FRAME. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE TRUCK HAS 103,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND IS MECHANICALLY PERFECT. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD EITHER REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE TRUCK OR BUY IT BACK FROM ME. THIS TRUCK WAS MY SECOND VEHICLE AND I NEED SOMETHING DONE WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #10872712

80,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BEL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10837229

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2011
Structure

RUSTED FRAME ON 01 4X4 RANGER . RUSTED REAR SPRING HANGERS& BRACKETS. RUSTED TAIL END OF LEFT & RIGHT FRAME . RUSTED TOP SECTION OF FUEL FILLER TUBE. RUSTED CROSS MEMBER BEHIND CAB. HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKE DRUM THAT RUSTED INTO (2) TWO PIECES. BOTTOM OF TRUCK BOX HAS BAD RUST HOLES. ONE AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE R…

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RUSTED FRAME ON 01 4X4 RANGER . RUSTED REAR SPRING HANGERS& BRACKETS. RUSTED TAIL END OF LEFT & RIGHT FRAME . RUSTED TOP SECTION OF FUEL FILLER TUBE. RUSTED CROSS MEMBER BEHIND CAB. HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKE DRUM THAT RUSTED INTO (2) TWO PIECES. BOTTOM OF TRUCK BOX HAS BAD RUST HOLES. ONE AUTO TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE RUSTED IN 2 INCH AREA JUST BEFORE RADIATOR INLET. LEFT SIDE OF FRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED TO MUCH TO SAFELY USE TK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436654

55,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EV. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A NORMAL EXPECTANCY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY TSB MODIFICATION AND SHIFT SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EV. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A NORMAL EXPECTANCY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY TSB MODIFICATION AND SHIFT SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $612.38. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,980.

NHTSA ODI #10261558

31,295 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THIS MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCK FROM A ONE-TIME OWNER THROUGH A DEALERSHIP ON JULY 23, 2005 WITH 30,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 29, 2005, THIS VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD TO HAVE FRIENDS GIVE THE TRUCK A PUSH TO START. THIS DID GET THE TRUCK TO START, AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT 5 MILE…

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I PURCHASED THIS MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCK FROM A ONE-TIME OWNER THROUGH A DEALERSHIP ON JULY 23, 2005 WITH 30,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 29, 2005, THIS VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD TO HAVE FRIENDS GIVE THE TRUCK A PUSH TO START. THIS DID GET THE TRUCK TO START, AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT 5 MILES BEFORE DECELERATING AND STOPPING COMPLETELY. NOW, NOT EVEN WITH A PUSH FROM OTHERS WILL THIS TRUCK START. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE TRUCK HAS FAILED TO START. I PLAN TO TOW THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 31ST TO GET IT CHECKED OUT UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134828

75 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. HE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 8-2001. THE NEXT WEEK HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. IT WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE. HE LET IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES -1 HOUR, AND IT WOULD START AGAIN. THE FRONT DOORS STARTED TO COME OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THEN IT FINALLY JUST QUIT RUNNING AT 10,800 MILES. HE TO…

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DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. HE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 8-2001. THE NEXT WEEK HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. IT WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING INTERSTATE. HE LET IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES -1 HOUR, AND IT WOULD START AGAIN. THE FRONT DOORS STARTED TO COME OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THEN IT FINALLY JUST QUIT RUNNING AT 10,800 MILES. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY 52 TIMES. THEY WOULD NOT CREATE ANY PAPER WORK AT THE DEALERSHIP;. THEY WOULD NOT MAKE A SERVICE ORDER ON THE TRUCK. FORD FINALLY AGREED TO LET AN AREA ENGINEER MEET WITH HIM AND LOOK AT THE TRUCK. THEY AGREED TO FIX THE TRUCK. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THESE ISSUES RESOLVED. THE DAY HE MADE THIS APPOINTMENT IS THE DAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP GAVE HIM A MEMO STATING THAT FORD WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE TRUCK UNLESS THE CONSUMER SIGNED A DOCUMENT SAYING THAT HE WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR WORK. OTHERWISE, DEALER WOULD NOT WORK ON IT. HE TOOK IT TO FOUR DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. THEY TOLD HIM THE CAB WAS TWISTED SO BADLY THAT WAS WHY THE DOORS WERE FLYING OPEN. THE MANAGER OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR ADMITTED FORD DROPPED IT FROM A TRAIN CAR AND REPLACED THE HOOD AT THE FACTORY, AND SENT IT TO RUSTY WALLACE TO LIQUIDATE. HE HAS LETTER FROM THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT STATING THE WARRANTY WAS CUT OFF AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10133720

60,258 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE PULLEY IS COMPLETELY BROKEN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131901

53,955 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON FEBRUARY 11, 2005 MY FATHER WAS DRIVING HIS 2001 FORD RANGER WHEN HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK. AS A RESULT OF THE HEART ATTACK MY DAD HIT A TREE HEAD ON WITH THE FORD RANGER. THE TRUCK SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC FRONTAL DAMAGE WHICH ULTIMATELY WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY DAD'S INSURANCE COMPANY. DESPITE THE EXTENT OF THE D…

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ON FEBRUARY 11, 2005 MY FATHER WAS DRIVING HIS 2001 FORD RANGER WHEN HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK. AS A RESULT OF THE HEART ATTACK MY DAD HIT A TREE HEAD ON WITH THE FORD RANGER. THE TRUCK SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC FRONTAL DAMAGE WHICH ULTIMATELY WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY DAD'S INSURANCE COMPANY. DESPITE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DAD NEVER REVIVED AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115977

36,500 miles · Aug 23, 2004
Air BagsCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A RECENT ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT IN MY 2001 FORD RANGER WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. MY VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED INTO FROM THE BACK BY AN SUV AND KNOCKED INTO A SMALL TOYOTA TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHO WAS ALSO STOPPED AT THE IINTESECTION. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED WITH THE TRUCK BED LOOKING LIKE AN INVERTED V WITH …

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A RECENT ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT IN MY 2001 FORD RANGER WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. MY VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED INTO FROM THE BACK BY AN SUV AND KNOCKED INTO A SMALL TOYOTA TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHO WAS ALSO STOPPED AT THE IINTESECTION. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED WITH THE TRUCK BED LOOKING LIKE AN INVERTED V WITH FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD DAMAGE AND A FLUID LEAK. NEITHER THE DRIVER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN AFTER BEING HIT THAT HARD FROM BOTH FRONT AND BACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088413

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA05004 · Front Seat Belt Buckle Assembly

Opened Feb 17, 2005 · Closed Jul 6, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts

DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION).WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS.OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION.COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING.DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

RQ04011 · Front Seat Belt Buckle Assembly

Opened Oct 22, 2004 · Closed Feb 17, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN (01V227), FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE.APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION OWNERS RESPONDED BY TAKING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE BUCKLE USING A SPECIALIZED BUCKLE TEST TOOL.FORD REPORTED THAT 829,927 VEHICLES HAD BOTH BUCKLES PASS THE TOOL TEST AND ANOTHER 167,336 VEHICLES HAD ONE BUCKLE PASS.ODI AND FORD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ALLEGING SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER PASSING THE ORIGINAL RECALL INSPECTION SERVICE.COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THAT THE BUCKLE FAILED BY EITHER NOT LATCHING OR FALSE-LATCHING (PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE LATCH TO THE LATCH PLATE).A FALSE-LATCHED BUCKLE MAY RELEASE WITH MINOR MOVEMENT OR IMPACT AGAINST THE BUCKLE HOUSING INCLUDING INADVERTENT RELEASE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS RECALL QUERY TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-004) TO FURTHER ANALYZE THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT FORD DEALERS PASSED (ONE OR BOTH BUCKLES) USING FORD'S INSPECTION TEST (997,263 VEHICLES).