NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
515 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A HALF A DOZEN TIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN GEAR WITH THE VEHICLE AT OR NEAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY, IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ON THE BALL, THE TRUCK WILL SURGE FORWARD, SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTING IN FRONT OF ME OR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO…
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THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A HALF A DOZEN TIMES, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN GEAR WITH THE VEHICLE AT OR NEAR STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY, IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ON THE BALL, THE TRUCK WILL SURGE FORWARD, SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTING IN FRONT OF ME OR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. TODAY THE REAR TIRES STARTED SQUEALING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240183
120,000 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2006, WHEN A LOUD SQUEAK COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY CHANGED THE BELT TENSIONER. THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AT ALL SPEEDS AND ALL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN…
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I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2006, WHEN A LOUD SQUEAK COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY CHANGED THE BELT TENSIONER. THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AT ALL SPEEDS AND ALL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO 3 DIFFERENT FORD MOTOR MECHANICS AND 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. NO OF THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM. IT WAS THOUGHT HE BE THE BELT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BELT TENSIONER, NEW PULLEYS, AND 3 DIFFERENT BELTS. AND QUESS WHAT, THE TRUCK STILL SQUEAKS. I HAVE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF WD-40 ON THE BELT. BUT WHY CAN'T ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS MAKING THE SQUEAK AND FIX IT. I'VE SUCK ABOUT $3000 INTO THE TRUCK. I REFUSE TO SPEND ANYMORE ON OTHER MECHANICS IDEAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236446
71,800 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEARD LOUD RATTLE UNDER ACCELERATION. HAVE A HEARING LOSS SO I COULD NOT HEAR THE SOUND. MY SON BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE DIAGNOSED IT AS PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE. ATTEMPTED TO GET FORD TO FIX IT. NO LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233480
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2008
EquipmentUnknown Or Other
2001 FORD RANGER WITH BROKEN SPARE TIRE CABLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HE WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON HIS TRUCK THE SPARE TIRE WASN'T THERE AND THE SPARE TIRE CABLE WAS BROKE. MECHANIC STATED THAT EITHER THE CABLE WAS CUT OR HAD BEEN PULLED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE CABLE PULLED FREE OF THE BRACKET WHIC…
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2001 FORD RANGER WITH BROKEN SPARE TIRE CABLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HE WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON HIS TRUCK THE SPARE TIRE WASN'T THERE AND THE SPARE TIRE CABLE WAS BROKE. MECHANIC STATED THAT EITHER THE CABLE WAS CUT OR HAD BEEN PULLED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE CABLE PULLED FREE OF THE BRACKET WHICH HELD THE WHEEL AND THE WHEEL FELL TO THE GROUND AT SOME POINT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10233909
100,000 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
AFTER LOOSING THE BATTERY (POWER LOSS) MY 4X4CM (4WD CONTROL MODULE) WENT BAD ON MY 2001 RANGER 4X4 TRUCK. THIS CAUSED MY 4WD TO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. I HAD TO REPLACE THE 4X4CM WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. FORD HAS UPDATED THE PART. THE ORIGINAL PART NUMBER IS 1L54-7H417-AC AND THE NEW UPDATED PART NUMBER IS 1L5Z-7E453-AC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232255
38,000 miles · Jun 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES, WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL EXHILARATED. TRUCK CRASHED INTO TELEPHONE . I HAD THE FORD RANGER 2001 TOWED TO BODY SHOP, MANAGER SAYS IT IS A TOTAL LOSS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230256
40,000 miles · May 24, 2008
Parking Brake
I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I REACHED TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. AS I PULLED THE RELEASE HANDLE, THE BRACKET AND RELEASE HANDLE FELL ONTO THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL; UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE BRACKET HAD FALLEN OUT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE BOLTS BACK IN, BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM …
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I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I REACHED TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. AS I PULLED THE RELEASE HANDLE, THE BRACKET AND RELEASE HANDLE FELL ONTO THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL; UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE BRACKET HAD FALLEN OUT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE BOLTS BACK IN, BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM WOULD GO BACK INTO PLACE, AND THAT ONE ONLY LASTED FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228821
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A FLEET OF FORD RANGER VEHICLES AND 6 WERE RECALLED 05S28. I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER AUGUST 2007. I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR/FIX 4 OF MY VEHICLES AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE OTHER TWO. LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS EVERYTIME I CALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225851
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2008
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. INDICATING IT IS DEACTIVATED ACCORDING TO TOWN FORD DEALER IN REDWOOD CITY CA. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE IS 2001 FORD RANGER XLT 4 X 4. 5 YEARS OR 50 MILE WARRANTY WHICH I DO NOT FALL UNDER BECAUSE I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH, AND REGARDLESS OF MY LOW MILEAGE THE DEALERSHIP WILL N…
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AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. INDICATING IT IS DEACTIVATED ACCORDING TO TOWN FORD DEALER IN REDWOOD CITY CA. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE IS 2001 FORD RANGER XLT 4 X 4. 5 YEARS OR 50 MILE WARRANTY WHICH I DO NOT FALL UNDER BECAUSE I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH, AND REGARDLESS OF MY LOW MILEAGE THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THIS DEFECT. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR DEFECT I HAVE FOUND ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN RECALL ON THE EGR SENSOR, WHICH APPEARED AT AROUND 36,000 MILES. BECAUSE I DRIVE RARELY IT DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL IT'S 7 YEAR AND AGAIN I WAS PENALIZED FOR "GOING GREEN", AND HAD TO PAY FOR THIS FULL REPAIR. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME TO FIND OUT IF THIS AIRBAG IS AN ACTUAL DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER DISCUSSION GROUPS MENTION THE FORD RANGER HAVING THE FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT AT EARLY MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224814
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HIS OWN AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. SINCE THAT TIME, EIGHT MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THE PARTS RE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HIS OWN AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. SINCE THAT TIME, EIGHT MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THE PARTS REMAIN UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #10224561
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).
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