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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

57 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY 2001 FORD RANGER 3.0 HAS A IDLE WHEN IM DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH IDLE WOULD STAY AROUND 1,300 RPM. HAPPENS USUALLY MORE WHEN AC IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328253

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

S10 DIRECT REPLY - A LETTER ADDRESSED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP REGARDING AN INCIDENT WITH A STUCK ACCELERATION PEDAL ON A 2001 FORD RANGER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH 2 BUILDINGS AND INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT, …

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S10 DIRECT REPLY - A LETTER ADDRESSED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP REGARDING AN INCIDENT WITH A STUCK ACCELERATION PEDAL ON A 2001 FORD RANGER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH THROUGH 2 BUILDINGS AND INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT, IT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR AFTER THE CRASH ENDED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED EMERGENCY SURGERY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11100948

120,000 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

FORD SENT OUT RECALL NOTICES FOR FAULTY TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MY 2001 FORD RANGER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I TOOK MY 2001 FORD RANGER TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP. I PICKED UP MY 2001 FORD RANGER FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND NOW THE TRUCK STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER. IF I USE A/C, IT STALLS OUT. ONE…

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FORD SENT OUT RECALL NOTICES FOR FAULTY TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MY 2001 FORD RANGER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I TOOK MY 2001 FORD RANGER TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP. I PICKED UP MY 2001 FORD RANGER FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND NOW THE TRUCK STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER. IF I USE A/C, IT STALLS OUT. ONE DAY IT STALLED ON A CITY STREET, AND I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE INTO A IRON FENCE. PLEASE HELP. [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11083134

133,421 miles · Feb 6, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPED UP AND THE RPM WENT FROM 1.5 TO 4.0 WITHOUT MY PUSHING HARDER ON THE GAS. I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND IT TOOK A FEW MOMENTS TO DISENGAGE. IN THE COURSE OF 40 MINUTES IT DID THIS 5 TIMES. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT HAD NOT GOTTEN PUSHED UNDER AND IT WAS NOT. THE VEHI…

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I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPED UP AND THE RPM WENT FROM 1.5 TO 4.0 WITHOUT MY PUSHING HARDER ON THE GAS. I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND IT TOOK A FEW MOMENTS TO DISENGAGE. IN THE COURSE OF 40 MINUTES IT DID THIS 5 TIMES. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT HAD NOT GOTTEN PUSHED UNDER AND IT WAS NOT. THE VEHICLE JUST SPED UP ON ITS OWN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681822

105,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ALONG IN FIRST GEAR I HAVE TO HOLD BRAKE, TRUCK WANTS TO GO FASTER, WHEN I CLUTCH IT RPM GOES TO 1400. WHEN IN LOW RANGE 3RD GEAR IT DOES SAME THING.WHEN STARTING COLD RPM GOES TO 2100-2200. WHEN UP SHIFTING @2500-3000 & I CLUTCH IT RPM STAYS @ THAT RPM. I CAN ALSO SHIFT TO "N" ,LET CLUTCH OUT & COAST, RPM STAYS @ WHATE…

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DRIVING ALONG IN FIRST GEAR I HAVE TO HOLD BRAKE, TRUCK WANTS TO GO FASTER, WHEN I CLUTCH IT RPM GOES TO 1400. WHEN IN LOW RANGE 3RD GEAR IT DOES SAME THING.WHEN STARTING COLD RPM GOES TO 2100-2200. WHEN UP SHIFTING @2500-3000 & I CLUTCH IT RPM STAYS @ THAT RPM. I CAN ALSO SHIFT TO "N" ,LET CLUTCH OUT & COAST, RPM STAYS @ WHATEVER IT WAS WHEN SHIFTING TO "N" UNTIL I SLOW DOWN OR COAST DOWN TO ABOUT 1-2 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680913

80,664 miles · May 30, 2013
Seat BeltsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlInjury

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, COMING UP TO A THIRD SPEED BUMP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND MY ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED GOING FASTER. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY TRUCK SPUN OUT, OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT LOCK UP; THE SHOULDER STRAP STAYED LOOSE, AND MY HEAD WAS BEING …

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I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, COMING UP TO A THIRD SPEED BUMP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND MY ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED GOING FASTER. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY TRUCK SPUN OUT, OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT LOCK UP; THE SHOULDER STRAP STAYED LOOSE, AND MY HEAD WAS BEING HIT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, SOMEHOW I FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. 05/17/13 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO GET THE RECALL FIXED, AND GET EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514258

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

42,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND NOTICED THAT THE BUTTONS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND NOTICED THAT THE BUTTONS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 03/31/11

NHTSA ODI #10382799

37,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I SENT IN A HARD COPY LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO FORD SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2009. UPON STOPPING AT A PARTY STORE WITH MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FORD 2001 RANGER V6 XLT 4X4 MOTOR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NEARLY GOING INTO THE STORE. I TRIED TO STOP IT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ONLY THING, …

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I SENT IN A HARD COPY LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO FORD SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2009. UPON STOPPING AT A PARTY STORE WITH MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FORD 2001 RANGER V6 XLT 4X4 MOTOR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NEARLY GOING INTO THE STORE. I TRIED TO STOP IT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ONLY THING, WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM CRASHING INTO A WALL AND POSSIBLY SEVERELY INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, WAS A PROTECTIVE POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE RANGER WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE CEMENT POST AND WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND FRAME. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE ENGINE.. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SEVERE BUMPER AND FRONT-END DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE RANGE HAS 35,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT GILL AND FREEDOM IN THE SPRING OF 2003 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RANGER ACCELERATED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I JAMMED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED WAS ABLE TO PUT GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO DAMAGE TO RANGER. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALLED LAKE WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. USED SAME TECHNIQUE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER IT JUMPED A CURB AND ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ADJACENT STREET. AGAIN, NO DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. I HAVE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THAT WERE REPORTED BY OTHERS HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/RANGER/2002/BRAKES/ACCELERATES_WHEN_APPLYING_BRAKES.SHTML IN 2010 A SIMILAR INCIDENT MARCH 12TH 2010 WAS REPORTED BY A NISSAN PICKUP HOWEVER, THE SAFETY POST WERE NOT PRESENT JUST THE CURB ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING OF THE SAME GAS STATION/PARTY STORE LOCATED AT GRAND RIVE AND DRAKE IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI. THE NISSAN PICKUP WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDOW SHATTERING GLASS WINDOW INTO THE PARTY STORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE WITH THE FARMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THESE INCIDENTS MIGHT NOT BE RELATED TO CURRENT TOYOTA

NHTSA ODI #10382228

119,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING, THEN IT STOPPED AND BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE ACCELERATED CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CERTAIN IF ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED 3…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING, THEN IT STOPPED AND BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE ACCELERATED CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CERTAIN IF ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED 30 SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREOWNED AND IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2009. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356728

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).