IllustrationENTIRE FRAME RUSTED OUT-GAS TANK-REAR SHACKLES-BUMPER FELL OFF. *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
What owners actually said
515 reportsI 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
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
WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-65 MY REAR FRAME FELL OFF ALONG WITH THE SPARE TIRE IT WAS DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME IT ALSO TOOK THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES CAUSING THE SPRINGS TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE PICK UP BED I HEAR TELL THIS AMERICAN MADE TRUCK HAS A FRAME THAT WAS MADE IN JAPAN. KNOWI…
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-65 MY REAR FRAME FELL OFF ALONG WITH THE SPARE TIRE IT WAS DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME IT ALSO TOOK THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES CAUSING THE SPRINGS TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE PICK UP BED I HEAR TELL THIS AMERICAN MADE TRUCK HAS A FRAME THAT WAS MADE IN JAPAN. KNOWINGLY IF THE FRAME WAS MADE IN THE USA IT WOULD OF HAD COPPER IN THE BLEND OF STEEL WHICH SLOWS THE PROBLEM OF DECAY BY RUST. IT WOULD BE UNHEARD OF IF FORD DECLINES TO RECALL THESE DEFECTED FRAMES FOR WHO DOES CLEAN THE POCKETS OF THE FRAMES ON THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES? *TR
NO ACCIDENT. MY COMPLAINT IS BOTH SEAT BELTS UNBUCKLE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. I AM PAYING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR THIS DEFAULT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL...STATING BOTH BUCKLES WERE FIXED BEFORE THE TRUCK WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THA…
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NO ACCIDENT. MY COMPLAINT IS BOTH SEAT BELTS UNBUCKLE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. I AM PAYING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR THIS DEFAULT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL...STATING BOTH BUCKLES WERE FIXED BEFORE THE TRUCK WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THESE BELTS WERE REPLACED. THE COSTUMER SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS A COINCIDENCE... ?? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR MY TEENAGE SON SO I AM HAVING THEM PUT IN TOMORROW. THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT ALONE IS $250.00 THE PASSENGER'S SEAT IS $185.00 AND LABOR $150.00. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF CARS/TRUCKS HAVING SEATBELT ISSUES...AND THEN TO BE SO COSTLY. JUST VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE INFORMED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY HAD REPLACED THE BELTS WITH DEFECTIVE ONES THAT SPORADICALLY COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE NOT UNDER …
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BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE INFORMED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY HAD REPLACED THE BELTS WITH DEFECTIVE ONES THAT SPORADICALLY COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AT THIS TIME. WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE WITH ONES THAT WORK. IF I BUY NEW ONES, WILL THEY BE DEFECTIVE. CUSTOMER SERVICE COULD NOT RESPOND WITH AN ANSWER AND IS AVOIDING ANSWERING. *TR
AIRBAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WHEN I STOPPED QUICKLY. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER ON FEBRUARY 3RD 2014 FROM COLUMBUS AUTO BODY RESALE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR THE TIRE TO FIND OUT THE GAS TANK WAS HANGING OFF THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT INSTALL THE GAS TANK STRAPS TO SECURE THE GAS TANK BECAUSE THE FRAME IS TO RUSTED. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
FRONT WHEEL DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF THE FRAME DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST. WHEEL IS HANGING BY THE SPRING ONLY. INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE FRAME SHOWS VERY EXTENSIVE RUST AND IT LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEESE. *TR
MY FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MOSTLY ALL OF MY UNDERCARRIAGE BOLTS AND SUPPORTS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH THE FRAME THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FRAME METAL TO MAKE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS> INCLUDING GAS TANK FILLER PIPE, GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS, SHOCK SUPPORTS,MUFFLER MOUNTS,SIDE STEP UPS, AND SIDE PANEL: BRA…
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MY FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MOSTLY ALL OF MY UNDERCARRIAGE BOLTS AND SUPPORTS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH THE FRAME THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FRAME METAL TO MAKE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS> INCLUDING GAS TANK FILLER PIPE, GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS, SHOCK SUPPORTS,MUFFLER MOUNTS,SIDE STEP UPS, AND SIDE PANEL: BRACKETS. THIS TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AND I FEEL A FRAME SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 13 YEARS. *TR
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).