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 reports
58,565 miles · Dec 2, 2012
StructureSuspension
I ATTACHED A YARD TRAILER TO THE RECEIVER HITCH AND AS I PULLED OUT OF THE YARD THE HITCH PULLED RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW ABOUT A FOOT OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AWAY AND THE SPRINGS WERE PUSHED UP ONTO THE B…
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I ATTACHED A YARD TRAILER TO THE RECEIVER HITCH AND AS I PULLED OUT OF THE YARD THE HITCH PULLED RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW ABOUT A FOOT OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AWAY AND THE SPRINGS WERE PUSHED UP ONTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NO APPARENT RUST. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRAILER WOULD HAVE GONE SAILING DOWN THE HIGHWAY POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. BOTH REAR SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486767
100,007 miles · Nov 6, 2012
Service BrakesStructureSuspension
UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS CAUSING PARTS ON FRAME TO FAIL AND FALL OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483463
85,000 miles · Sep 26, 2012
StructureSuspension
RIGHT REAR IS TWO INCHES LOWER THAN LEFT SIDE, FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477137
38,000 miles · Aug 8, 2012
TiresWheelsCrashInjury
TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *…
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TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469630
139,000 miles · Jun 10, 2012
Structure
FAILED NYS INSPECTION DUE TO STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN FRAME. ADDITIONALLY THE BRACKET HOLDING ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING THE TANK SUSPENDED BY ONLY ONE STRAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461153
104,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001(SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001(SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD BE REPLACED FOR $600. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457245
83,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Air BagsCrash
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY SOMEONE WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE WAS TRAVELING AROUND 40 (ISH) MPH. SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456072
190,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Structure
THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND BENT OUT OF SHAPE IN THE REAR END. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453965
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2012
Suspension
FRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453622
110,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND SUB FRAME HAD CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND SUB FRAME HAD CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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).
2001 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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