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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.

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

57 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,00…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10210748

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07C336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PART ARRIVED. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT CALLED THE CONTACT. THERE HAD BE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07C336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PART ARRIVED. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT CALLED THE CONTACT. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210058

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH IS DEACTIVATED BECAUSE IT WILL ALSO DEACTIVATE THE ABS, WHICH COULD THEN CAUSE A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WILL BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH IS DEACTIVATED BECAUSE IT WILL ALSO DEACTIVATE THE ABS, WHICH COULD THEN CAUSE A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WILL BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209966

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART FOR RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IS UNAVAILABLE AND IS TAKING TOO LONG TO ARRIVE. HE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTED ON HIS VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10209165

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

LACK OF ACTION BY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS ON RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207478

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

IN AUGUST I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER 8 ATTEMPTS TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE FUSED WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED, WHICH THEY NEVER HAD IN STOCK, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD DISABLE MY CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THIS IN NOT A REPAIR AND IS TRADING ONE PROBLEM, A POSSIBLE FIRE. FOR ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THA…

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IN AUGUST I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER 8 ATTEMPTS TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE FUSED WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED, WHICH THEY NEVER HAD IN STOCK, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD DISABLE MY CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THIS IN NOT A REPAIR AND IS TRADING ONE PROBLEM, A POSSIBLE FIRE. FOR ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THAT A CRUISE CONTROL IS A DEVICE TO CONTROL SPEEDING AND A SAFETY DEVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206943

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

RECIEVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WARNING US ABOUT A MALFUNTION IN THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. HAVE BEEN GOING TO DEALER FOR PAST THREE MONTHS ONLY TO BE PUT OFF REPEATABLY.

NHTSA ODI #10206301

97,000 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE#07V336000 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED ON 10/15/2007 THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 2007 OR JANUARY 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TIME FRAME IS UNREASONABLE. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO DISCONNECT THE SWITCH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE#07V336000 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED ON 10/15/2007 THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 2007 OR JANUARY 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS TIME FRAME IS UNREASONABLE. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO DISCONNECT THE SWITCH. THE PURCHASE DATE AND THE DEALER INFORMATION WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10205736

85,000 miles · Sep 28, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY FLAMES COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FOLLOWED BY FLAMES COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000). SHE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10204346

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

2001 FORD RANGER WITH A RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT. CUSTOMER SAID THE MECHANIC UNPLUGGED THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING HARNESS AND THEN SAID THEY COULD FIX IT IN DECEMBER WHEN THEY GOT THE PART. *KB UPDATED 10/03/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10203833

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).