NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
515 reports40,000 miles · May 17, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS A CRACK NEAR THE BEAD AND SIDEWALL. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TIRE CAN BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. THE TIRE HAS APPRO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS A CRACK NEAR THE BEAD AND SIDEWALL. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TIRE CAN BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. THE TIRE HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE TIRE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10191010
79,000 miles · Apr 19, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS ADVISED BY THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT A USED RANGER THAT THE REAR BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED. UPON MY OWN INSPECTION THIS PROVED NOT TO BE TRUE. DO I HAVE A LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT AND WHO DO I CONTACT FOR FOLLOW UP? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10188377
72,996 miles · Mar 28, 2007
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING, AND THE O/D LIGHT (OVER DRIVE LIGHT) STARTED TO FLASH ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER XLT 4.0 V-6 4X4 TRUCK. I HAD NO IDEA IN WHAT THAT MEANT. I DROVE TO WORK, I CALLED AROUND AND THAT IS A TROUBLE CONDITION ON THE TRANSMISSION, I SAID ON THE TRANNY IT ONLY HAS 73 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I WAS SURPRISE…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING, AND THE O/D LIGHT (OVER DRIVE LIGHT) STARTED TO FLASH ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER XLT 4.0 V-6 4X4 TRUCK. I HAD NO IDEA IN WHAT THAT MEANT. I DROVE TO WORK, I CALLED AROUND AND THAT IS A TROUBLE CONDITION ON THE TRANSMISSION, I SAID ON THE TRANNY IT ONLY HAS 73 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I WAS SURPRISED, AND THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL KEPT UP. I TOOK IT A WELL KNOW TRANSMISSION PLACE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND TEST DROVE, ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER CHECK, AND IT CAME BACK WITH A READING "INCORRECT GEAR RATIO ON 3". I WAS LIKE WHAT IS THAT, HE SAID THAT IS UGLY. SO I TOOK IT AND GOT 2 MORE INQUIRIES, AND 1 FROM A DEALERSHIP. ALL THE SAME 3 RD GEAR TROUBLE. I CONTACTED FORD, AND SPOKE TO HEATHER, AND NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE SAID THAT IT WAS ONLY MY THAT HAS THE ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION NO ONE ELSE DOES. THERE WAS A TSB MESSAGE PUT OUT ABOUT THIS TROUBLE IN MAY OF 01, SO FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. ITS GOING TO NOW COST ME A MIM OF 1500.00 TO A MAX OF 2100.00 TO FIX THIS TRANSMISSION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186394
30,300 miles · Feb 20, 2007
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WER NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND THEY WERE LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,300. *AK UPDATED 03/3…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WER NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND THEY WERE LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,300. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183032
99,200 miles · Feb 11, 2007
Power Train
I PARKED MY TRUCK THURSDAY NIGHT FEBRUARY 8, 2007. I PLACED THE TRUCK IN PARK AND REMOVED THE KEYS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY TRUCK EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK WAS ACTUALLY NOT IN PARK, EVEN THOU THE KEYS WERE OUT OF IT, AND THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. HAD THE TRUCK BEEN PARKED ON AN…
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I PARKED MY TRUCK THURSDAY NIGHT FEBRUARY 8, 2007. I PLACED THE TRUCK IN PARK AND REMOVED THE KEYS. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY TRUCK EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK WAS ACTUALLY NOT IN PARK, EVEN THOU THE KEYS WERE OUT OF IT, AND THE SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. HAD THE TRUCK BEEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE IT COULD ROLLED AWAY. I FOUND THE HEAD OF A SMALL SCREW LAYING ON MY FLOORBOARD WHICH HAVE BROKEN FROM THE SHIFTER. WHEN I REPAIRED THE TRUCK ON SUNDAY I DISCOVERED A VERY DISTURBING SITUATION WHERE THE GEAR SELECTOR IS ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION CABLE. THE ASSEMBLY IS HELD TOGETHER BY A SMALL 6MM SCREW, WHICH THE HEAD I FOUND ON THE FLOORBOARDS. THIS HAPPENED AT 99K MILEAGE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182272
120,000 miles · Dec 14, 2006
SeatsInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE DRIVER SEAT BACK PUSHED FORWARD TRAPPING THE DRIVER, AND CAUSED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOW YARD AND LATER DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACT…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE DRIVER SEAT BACK PUSHED FORWARD TRAPPING THE DRIVER, AND CAUSED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOW YARD AND LATER DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA ODI #10176126
75,260 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE; 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE- HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. A TSB FOR THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WHEN ANALYZED, THE SAME ERROR CODE CAME UP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176023
36,300 miles · Nov 3, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10172564
63,000 miles · Oct 16, 2006
Unknown Or Other
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 10/30/2006 - THE SPARE TIRE WAS A FULL SIZE SPARE, NOT A TEM…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CABLE HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 10/30/2006 - THE SPARE TIRE WAS A FULL SIZE SPARE, NOT A TEMPORARY SPARE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170924
117,000 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V227001 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169507
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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