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2001 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

281 reports with mileage · 234 unknown

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.

  • Structure. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

62 crash reports9 fire reports40 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TRUCK VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND A BRAKE FAILURE PROMPT THE DRIVER TO SWITCH INTO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SPUN OFF OUT OF CONTROL(BURNING TIRE) AND IT TOOK OFF VERY FAST WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP IT BUT NOTHING WORKED. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437685

67,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY TO BE INSPECTED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE HINGES WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK TO THE FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 01/25/11*LJ THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN EVAP LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #10368651

130,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE VIOLENTLY AND ACT AS IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE REASON BEHIND THE FAILURE. SEV…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE VIOLENTLY AND ACT AS IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE REASON BEHIND THE FAILURE. SEVERAL REPAIRS, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, TO DATE, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 02/23/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. UPDATED 08/12/10

NHTSA ODI #10302334

108,000 miles · Nov 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. IT HAS A 3.0L V6 ENGINE, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000 MILE ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD A COMPONENT FAIL IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE. IT WAS A CAM SYNCROZINER. IT COST $467.08 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS ALSO…

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I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. IT HAS A 3.0L V6 ENGINE, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000 MILE ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD A COMPONENT FAIL IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE. IT WAS A CAM SYNCROZINER. IT COST $467.08 TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF THIS COMPONENT IS NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY, THAT IT COULD CAUSE THE OIL PUMP TO THE ENGINE TO FAIL, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. THIS COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF BRAKES, AND STEERING. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL OTHER RANGER OWNERS TO RECOMMEND THIS TO THE NHTSA. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND ALL 3.0L RANGER'S SHOULD HAVE THERE SYNCHRONIZER REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THIS COMPONENT FAILING COULD RESULT IN MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE, INJURY AND DEATH. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248212

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A HALF A DOZEN TIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN GEAR WITH THE VEHICLE AT OR NEAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY, IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ON THE BALL, THE TRUCK WILL SURGE FORWARD, SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTING IN FRONT OF ME OR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO…

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THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A HALF A DOZEN TIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN GEAR WITH THE VEHICLE AT OR NEAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY, IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ON THE BALL, THE TRUCK WILL SURGE FORWARD, SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTING IN FRONT OF ME OR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. TODAY THE REAR TIRES STARTED SQUEALING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240183

120,000 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2006, WHEN A LOUD SQUEAK COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY CHANGED THE BELT TENSIONER. THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AT ALL SPEEDS AND ALL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN…

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2006, WHEN A LOUD SQUEAK COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY CHANGED THE BELT TENSIONER. THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AT ALL SPEEDS AND ALL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO 3 DIFFERENT FORD MOTOR MECHANICS AND 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. NO OF THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM. IT WAS THOUGHT HE BE THE BELT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BELT TENSIONER, NEW PULLEYS, AND 3 DIFFERENT BELTS. AND QUESS WHAT, THE TRUCK STILL SQUEAKS. I HAVE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF WD-40 ON THE BELT. BUT WHY CAN'T ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS MAKING THE SQUEAK AND FIX IT. I'VE SUCK ABOUT $3000 INTO THE TRUCK. I REFUSE TO SPEND ANYMORE ON OTHER MECHANICS IDEAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236446

71,800 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEARD LOUD RATTLE UNDER ACCELERATION. HAVE A HEARING LOSS SO I COULD NOT HEAR THE SOUND. MY SON BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE DIAGNOSED IT AS PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE. ATTEMPTED TO GET FORD TO FIX IT. NO LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233480

125,212 miles · Oct 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR GEAR. THE GEAR STRIPPED ON THE CAMSHAFT AND CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE MAIN AND ROD BEARINGS TO SEIZE UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205555

29,055 miles · Mar 8, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE BALL JOINT BOOTS WERE NOTICED DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED AS WELL. THE TIMING COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152211

57,587 miles · Feb 20, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WE PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER IN OCTOBER OF 2000. IN 2004 THE PINION SEAL BEGAN LEAKING AND THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT CLICKING/SQUEAK IN THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. THE PINION SEAL WAS REPLACED AND FLUID WAS TOPPED OFF. AS WELL THE EXCLUDER SEALS WERE REPLACED AND LUBED TO REPAIR THE CLICKING SQUEAK. THIS WAS ALL DONE UNDER T…

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WE PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER IN OCTOBER OF 2000. IN 2004 THE PINION SEAL BEGAN LEAKING AND THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT CLICKING/SQUEAK IN THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. THE PINION SEAL WAS REPLACED AND FLUID WAS TOPPED OFF. AS WELL THE EXCLUDER SEALS WERE REPLACED AND LUBED TO REPAIR THE CLICKING SQUEAK. THIS WAS ALL DONE UNDER THE WARRANTY. ON 05/24/05 THE TRUCKS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO CRATER LAKE FORD AND THIS EMISSIONS ISSUE WAS FIXED AND WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY 203.39. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION REGARDING THE WARRANTY AND THE FACT THAT THOUGH THIS IS NOT COVERED THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO ISSUES THIS SOON, WE WERE FINALLY TOLD THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THIS AND THEY ADJUSTED THE BILL TO 18.49, DID NOT CHARGE THE WARRANTY AN AMOUNT. HOWEVER, THEY PUT ON THE RECEIPT THAT THE PINION SEAL WAS AGAIN LEAKING, THOUGH THEY DID NOT MENTION THIS TO US AND DID NOT STATE THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. WE HAVE THE BEST WARRANTY THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE TRUCK IN, OUR SCHEDULES BEING VERY HECTIC. WE TOOK THE TRUCK IN TODAY, AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PINION SEAL WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY, THAT THERE WAS ONLY A 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY ON IT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY OVER 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING BY THERE ESTIMATES LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THEY REPLACED IT. OF COURSE THIS DID LITTLE FOR OUR DISPOSITION AND WE TOOK THE TRUCK AND LEFT. WE HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CRATER LAKE FORD AND AT FORD MOTOR CORP. NOW WE RECEIVE A CALL STATING THAT THE SERVICES WE WERE BEING SEEN FOR ARE COVERED AND THAT WE NEED TO BRING IT BACK IN. HOWEVER, THE SEAL IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING ISSUE. WE WANT THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING THE PINION SEAL LEAK. THEY WANT TO SIMPLY CHANGE THE SEAL AGAIN. WE WANT THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SYMPTOM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150694

Official recalls

4

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

01V227001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Jul 16, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

00V394000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH STEEL HOODS AND CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEET MOLDING COMPOUND HOODS. A WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.

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).