IllustrationREAR FRAME ON RANGER IS RUSTING. THE SLOT WHERE THE GAS TANK STRAP HOOKS ON TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO DROP THE WHOLE BACK FRAME LOOKS BAD. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
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
330–25K
5025–50K
4450–75K
5275–100K
73100–150K
29150K+
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
20 reportsWHEN TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE OVERFLOW SYSTEM(?) DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. YOU CANNOT HAVE HARDLY ANY PRESSURE OR, AS YOU FILL, THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK BEFORE THE SAFETY FEATURE ON GAS PUMPS CAN TURN OFF. GAS SPEWS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, OUT ONTO THE GROUND, ONTO MY HAND, ONTO MY FEET. THIS CREATES A COMBUST…
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WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE OVERFLOW SYSTEM(?) DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. YOU CANNOT HAVE HARDLY ANY PRESSURE OR, AS YOU FILL, THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK BEFORE THE SAFETY FEATURE ON GAS PUMPS CAN TURN OFF. GAS SPEWS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, OUT ONTO THE GROUND, ONTO MY HAND, ONTO MY FEET. THIS CREATES A COMBUSTION POSSIBILITY AT THE GAS TANK AS WELL AS THE GAS PUMP. THIS OCCURS ABOUT 99% OF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO THE TANK. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FULL THE TANK IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT IT CAN BE FIXED IS BY DROPPING THE GAS TANK. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD IT IS OCCURRING IN OTHER, NEWER FORD PICKUPS. DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU. *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY FORD RANGER, (2001 XLT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IN AN ATTEMPT TO WARM UP THE TRUCK AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN ACTING UP AS IT WAS NOT SHIFTING AS WELL AS IT SHOULD INTO HIGHER GEARS. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING TROUBLE GOING …
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY FORD RANGER, (2001 XLT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IN AN ATTEMPT TO WARM UP THE TRUCK AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN ACTING UP AS IT WAS NOT SHIFTING AS WELL AS IT SHOULD INTO HIGHER GEARS. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING TROUBLE GOING PAST 10-15 MPH BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS AND WAS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. AS I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK TO WARM UP THE TRUCK, IT WAS NOT GOING AS FAST AS NORMAL AND IT WARMED UP IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND CHECKED THE OIL WHICH WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I PROCEEDED TO GO TO QT AND GET SOME GAS AND ON MY WAY BACK TO WORK, I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND TOOK OFF AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY FOOT WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. I THEN COULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN AT THE NEXT LIGHT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE RIGHT TURN SAFELY. I HAD TO MAKE A U TURN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER PUTTING THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT AND HAD A CO-WORKER WATCH AS I CRANKED UP THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TIRES WERE SPINNING LIKE CRAZY AND THE RPMS WERE WAY UP. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF QUICKLY AS WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF AT ANY TIME. MY TRUCK IS PARKED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I AM SCARED TO GET NEAR THE [XXX] THING. I HAVE A CALL INTO MY MECHANIC NOW. *TR
ON NOV. 22, 2008 MY SON JEREMIAH GOHN WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF A FIRE IN THE CAB OF HIS TRUCK. *TR
MY 2001 FORD RANGER'S RPM'S DROP SUDDENLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN. ONCE I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE RPM WILL SURGE OR THE VEHICLE WILL QUIT. I HAVE TO PUT ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING AND STOP THE SURGING. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE MY WIFE WAS NOTIFIED BY HER CO-WORKER THAT GAS WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PAVEMENT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE WAS DAMAGED POSSIBLY BY ROAD DEBRIS, WHICH WE HAD REPLACED…
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WHILE STARTING VEHICLE MY WIFE WAS NOTIFIED BY HER CO-WORKER THAT GAS WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PAVEMENT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE WAS DAMAGED POSSIBLY BY ROAD DEBRIS, WHICH WE HAD REPLACED BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER BEING THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCK WITH 42,523 MILES I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN DUE IN PART THAT IF MY WIFE'S CO-WORKER DID NOT SEE THE PROBLEM AND MY WIFE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE CERTAINLY A FIRE AND POSSIBLY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *NM
I SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND GAS WAS SPRAYING FROM A LEAK. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY ABRASION WHERE THE LINE CONTACTED A HARD PLASTIC "PROTECTIVE COVER". IT COULD HAVE BLOWN UP! THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT.*AK
FUEL PUMP CRACKED. AS A RESULT, FUEL POURED ONTO THE MUFFLER. CONSUMER IWASCONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK
FUEL LEAK FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK. (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL OUTLET NIPPLE LEAKING ON FUEL TANK MODULE). *LA
Official recalls
409V399000 · 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
2EA05004 · 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).