NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Seat Belts complaints
45 reportsClear category filter100 miles · Sep 6, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,170.
NHTSA ODI #10202023
50,000 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF USE, THE SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND FAIL TO REMAIN FASTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF USE, THE SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND FAIL TO REMAIN FASTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE FAILURE BECAME MORE FREQUENT. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED WHEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200550
117,000 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V227001 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169507
74,000 miles · Mar 15, 2006
Seat BeltsStructure
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASES FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THE TAILGATE CABLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10152739
28,000 miles · Nov 6, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND IT WAS SLUSHY OUT, MY TRUCK GOT PULLED BY SLUSH AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND WOUND UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE INSIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY ONCE THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I THEN HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. HOW IRONI…
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IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND IT WAS SLUSHY OUT, MY TRUCK GOT PULLED BY SLUSH AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND WOUND UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE INSIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY ONCE THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I THEN HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. HOW IRONIC THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS SHUT OFF YET IT STILL WENT OFF. ALSO WHEN MY TRUCK WENT IN THE SHOP TO BE FIXED I FOUND OUT THAT BOTH SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONERS HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE BOTH OF THEM HAD BROKE YET I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK WAS FIXED BY A FORD DEALER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG WENT OFF WHEN IT WAS SHUT OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER WHY THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD WENT OFF AND WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER HAD BROKE AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THEY DID NOT KNOW. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT ANSWER AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAD TO PAY DOUBLE OF WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO REPLACE ONE AIR BAG AND ONE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141886
36,900 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT BACK, AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THE FUEL SAFETY CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE HE COULD STA…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT BACK, AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THE FUEL SAFETY CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE HE COULD START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE CONTACT WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, SLID INTO A CAR AT A GREEN LIGHT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER RESULTING IN MULTIPLE BREAST CONTUSIONS. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONSUMER'S HEAD HAD ALREADY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139835
53,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40 MPH . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE SEAT BELT BACK INTO ITS POSITION IT DI…
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DT: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40 MPH . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE SEAT BELT BACK INTO ITS POSITION IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE SPRINGS WERE WEAK AND THEY WOULD FAIL AGAIN IF REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10125875
68,003 miles · May 11, 2005
Seat Belts
2001 FORD RANGER SEAT BELT DEFECTIVE AND FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT LATCH!!! PLEASE ASSIST ME!
NHTSA ODI #10120654
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2005
Seat Belts
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER SUPER CAB 4X4. I WAS TOLD BY THE DELAWARE CO. HEALTH DEPT. CHILDSEAT TECH. THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT SAFELY ACCEPT A CAR SEAT DUE TO THE SEATBELTS BEING MOUNTED TO THE DOORS. SHE REFERED ME TO YOUR SITE FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MATTER. IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PR…
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I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER SUPER CAB 4X4. I WAS TOLD BY THE DELAWARE CO. HEALTH DEPT. CHILDSEAT TECH. THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT SAFELY ACCEPT A CAR SEAT DUE TO THE SEATBELTS BEING MOUNTED TO THE DOORS. SHE REFERED ME TO YOUR SITE FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MATTER. IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT? WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112558
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2004
Seat Belts
CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 01V227001. 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 BUCKLES MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. THIS RECALL FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED …
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CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 01V227001. 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 BUCKLES MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. THIS RECALL FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER THE RECALL WAS DONE, SORRY.*AK RQ04011.*PCO *TC OWNER GIVES PERM. TO RELEASE INFO.*PCO
NHTSA ODI #10089982
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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).
Illustration