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
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
100 miles · Sep 6, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,170.
NHTSA ODI #10202023
65,800 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50 AND 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50 AND 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY STATED THAT HE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, WHICH WILL COST $1,300. THE NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,800. UPDATED 09/25/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201989
88,841 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER STATED AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY THEY DON'T TELL CUSTOMERS WHY OTHER PEOPLE TRADE THERE VEHICLES IN. *KB. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10202633
62,000 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V336000 ( VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER INSTALLED A FUSE JUMPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V336000 ( VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER INSTALLED A FUSE JUMPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10201765
35 miles · Aug 25, 2007
Seats
BOLT IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT SHEERED INTO 3 PIECES CAUSING THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO FALL BACK RAPIDLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200756
50,000 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF USE, THE SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND FAIL TO REMAIN FASTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF USE, THE SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND FAIL TO REMAIN FASTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE FAILURE BECAME MORE FREQUENT. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED WHEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200550
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. HE CONTACT INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER TO HAVE RECALL WORK REPAIRED FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V336000). THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.
NHTSA ODI #10199936
75,000 miles · May 21, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE RUNNING TO THE AIRBAG ON & OFF SWITCH KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE EVERY TIME THE GEARS WERE SWITCHED. THIS WIRE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE HEATER. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE VIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE RUNNING TO THE AIRBAG ON & OFF SWITCH KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE EVERY TIME THE GEARS WERE SWITCHED. THIS WIRE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE HEATER. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. 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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