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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

WHENEVER VEHICLE RUNS OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE IT CAUSES REAR END TO KICK TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR SHOCK, SOME IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERSTEERS WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED LIKE DURING A TURN, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO ONLY OCCUR WHE…

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WHENEVER VEHICLE RUNS OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE IT CAUSES REAR END TO KICK TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR SHOCK, SOME IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE OVERSTEERS WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED LIKE DURING A TURN, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #898875

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLING BRAKES, PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULSATE, BRAKES DO NOT HOLD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES FOR EMERGENCY, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT 20 FT BEFORE COMING TO A STOP DUE TO BOOSTER PUMP FAILUR. *YH

NHTSA ODI #898533

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ENGINE CONTROL ALLOWS RPM TO STICK ABOVE 2200 RPM WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH TO SHIFT. AFTER SHIFTING RPM WONT COME DOWN UNTIL CLUTCH DRAGS IT DOWN. THIS CAUSED WHEELS TO BREAK LOOSE ON SNOW RESULTING IN A BAD SKID IN THE MOUNTAINS. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES TO FIX BUT CAN REPLICATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WITH …

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ENGINE CONTROL ALLOWS RPM TO STICK ABOVE 2200 RPM WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH TO SHIFT. AFTER SHIFTING RPM WONT COME DOWN UNTIL CLUTCH DRAGS IT DOWN. THIS CAUSED WHEELS TO BREAK LOOSE ON SNOW RESULTING IN A BAD SKID IN THE MOUNTAINS. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES TO FIX BUT CAN REPLICATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WITH ABOUT ONE OCCURENCE PER DAY. OCCASSIONALLY IT WILL REPEAT 9 OR 10 TIMES IN A ROW. FACTORY ENGINEER PROMISED TO GET A RECORDING DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE THAT CAN BE CONNECTED AND STARTED WHEN PROBLEM IS PRESENT, BUT HAS NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH. WINTER IS COMING AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM ON THE ICY MOUNTAIN ROADS I COMMUTE ON.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753751

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainInjury

PROBLEM 1- VEHICLE REGULARLY STALLS OR IDLES SO LOW POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN SLOWING FOR AND ENTERING CORNERS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL AND TO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. PROBLEM 2- CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN PEDAL IS RELEASED. AFTER A MOMENT IT RELEA…

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PROBLEM 1- VEHICLE REGULARLY STALLS OR IDLES SO LOW POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN SLOWING FOR AND ENTERING CORNERS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL AND TO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. PROBLEM 2- CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN PEDAL IS RELEASED. AFTER A MOMENT IT RELEASES ON ITS OWN ACCORD AND TRUCK JERKS FORWARD VIOLENTLY. CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #753576

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR ONLY ONE YEAR AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION WENT BEACAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 2ND GEAR AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. IT WAS FOUND TO BE INTERNAL PARTS AND EXTERNAL WIRING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THAT SAME DAY THE ALTERNATOR WENT AND LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN IT…

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I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK FOR ONLY ONE YEAR AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS. FIRST THE TRANSMISSION WENT BEACAUSE IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 2ND GEAR AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. IT WAS FOUND TO BE INTERNAL PARTS AND EXTERNAL WIRING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THAT SAME DAY THE ALTERNATOR WENT AND LEFT ME WITH A DEAD BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER ABOUT 3 TIMES FOR ROUGH IDLE AND HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY SAYING THE CANNOT FEEL ANYTHING AND THAT NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE ITS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TWICE I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION DUE TO A VIBRATION TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRUCK. ALL ROTORS WERE TURNED AND THE FRONT WAS REALLINED. ALSO THE TRUCK SEEMS TO GO THROUGH GAS A BIT TOO QUICKLY, JUST ABOUT A BIT OVER A QUARTER TANK FOR EVERY 10-15 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753375

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MAKING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. ENGINE SHUTS DOWN , CAUSING VEHICLE LOSE POWER. NO ACCIDENTS SO FAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897830

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Suspension

VEHICLE WANDERS AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, THE REAR END HAS EXCESSIVE ROLL AT HIGHWAY USE, LACK OF CONTROL EXIST WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI #563686

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Seats

RIGHT FRONT SEAT DOESN'T SLIDE OR TIP FORWARD ENOUGH TO GET INTO REAR OF VEHICLE. ALSO, CAN'T REACH IN TO FASTENED SAFETY BELT WHEN A CHILD IS IN REAR. CONTACTEED FORD, AND FORD STATED THAT WAS THE WAY VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897274

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Seat Belts

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE PASSANGER SIDE SEAT BELT. DEALER CONTACTED TWICE, LEFT THE TRUCK FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *YD

NHTSA ODI #563810

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2001
Power Train

DRIVESHAFT SHEARED OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. REAR END LOCKED UP. THERE ARE ALOT OF FORD RANGERS OUT THERE AND THIS COULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. OUR DEALER SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OR SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. WE THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE REPORTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752465

Official recalls

4

09V399000 · 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

2

EA05004 · 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).