← New search

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 →

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

Power Train complaints

51 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT CV JOINTS ARE MAKING A "CRACKING" NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THEM. 1 WEEK LATER CV JOINTS BEGAN CRACKING AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030126

32,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION. IT HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER ADDED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022047

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2003
Power Train

WHEN I LOOK UP MY FORD RANGER 2002 PICKUP TRUCK AND ATTEMPT TO LOOK AT THE POWER TRAIN OPTION IT COMES BACK WITH A ERROR ON THE SCREEN WITH THE COMMANDS "GET-IN-......." IT DOES NOT GIVE ME ANY SEARCH RESULTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018477

25,000 miles · Apr 18, 2003
Power Train

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A FORD RANGER EDGE SUPERCAB 4X4. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK BARELY OVER 2 YEARS AND IT HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE "OVERDRIVE OFF" LIGHT FLASHING AND FUNNY SHIFTS FROM FIRST INTO SECOND AS WELL AS A HESITANT ACCELERATION FO…

Read full complaint

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A FORD RANGER EDGE SUPERCAB 4X4. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK BARELY OVER 2 YEARS AND IT HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE "OVERDRIVE OFF" LIGHT FLASHING AND FUNNY SHIFTS FROM FIRST INTO SECOND AS WELL AS A HESITANT ACCELERATION FOLLOWED BY A SMALL JERK. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND APPARENTLY IT WAS. ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN IN THE SAME FASHION. I TOOK IT IN AND ONCE AGAIN THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED UNTIL A FEW MONTHS LATER IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. BY THIS TIME SINCE I THOUGHT THE TRUCK WAS FINALLY FIXED I DECIDED TO ADD A 4" SUSPENSION LIFT AND 33" TIRES. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY TOLD ME I NEED EITHER A NEW TRANSMISSION OR TO HAVE THIS ONE REBUILT AND THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD COVER THE COST. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK IN THE SHOP AND TORN APART THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THE WARRANTY CO. DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE "EXTENSIVE SUSPENSION MODS" AND LARGER TIRES. LET ME REMIND YOU, I HAD IT IN 2 TIMES BEFORE THE LIFT WAS PUT ON FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED. AFTER A BIT OF ARGUING I DECIDED THAT I WASN'T GOING TO WIN AND THAT I NEED A TRUCK. SO I AM NOW PAYING $150 A MONTH FOR THE $3000+ FOR THE WORK AND REBUILT TRANSMISSION. NOW, AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AFTER THE WORK, I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM YET AGAIN...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM ??? THANKS, AARON. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016146

6,900 miles · Feb 6, 2003
Power Train

I'M DRIVING A LEMON THAT I PURCHASED FROM CRAIN FORD IN BENTON AR. AFTER 20 MONTHS OF HASSLES FROM CRAIN AND FORD MOTOR, I AM STILL DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE THAT THE MAKER CAN'T DIAGNOSE, YET I'M TOLD THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FORD CLOSED MY CASE AND NEITHER PARTY HAS BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #10005393

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR, AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THE PIN ON MASTER CYLINDER FELL OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021788

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSeat Belts

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #567102

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Power Train

WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR CLUTCH PEDAL MOVED FREELY, CONSUMER UNABLE TO USE CLUTCH TO SHIFT. GEAR LEVER HAD TO BE FORCED INTO GEAR. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8013597

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Power Train

THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN IT SAT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *MJ *NLM

NHTSA ODI #566538

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM TO NO EVAIL. THE BATTERY WENT OUT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIED, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEATS REPLACED THE TRAMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE THE COMPUTER/BRAIN TO RUN…

Read full complaint

THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM TO NO EVAIL. THE BATTERY WENT OUT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIED, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEATS REPLACED THE TRAMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE THE COMPUTER/BRAIN TO RUN THE TRUCK HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES. I DONT THINK I CAN TAKE THIS TRUCK BREAKING DOWN ALL THE TIME FOR TO MUCH LONGER. IAM IN A RENTAL CAR MORE THEN IN MY TRUCK. HELP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU IFO TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)

NHTSA ODI #759731

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).