NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
62 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF SNOW. THE REAR WHEELS LOST TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A STIFF NECK. THE PA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF SNOW. THE REAR WHEELS LOST TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A STIFF NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR BRUISES EVERYWHERE INCLUDING HER BACK, LEGS, AND WRISTS. SHE ALSO SUSTAINED A SEVERE BUMP ON HER BACK AND MINOR CUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE CONTACT IS ASSUMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS DESTROYED. HE WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING TO CHECK THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES THAT THE PASSENGER SHOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THAT MUCH BRUISING AND INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. DURING THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP, WHICH ALLOWED THE PASSENGER'S BODY TO JERK AROUND AND BECOME BRUISED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/09/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10254681
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
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
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.
NHTSA ODI #10191375
60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAJOR FACIAL LACERATIONS WERE RECEIVE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAJOR FACIAL LACERATIONS WERE RECEIVED ALTHOUGH, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA ODI #10152089
28,000 miles · Nov 6, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND IT WAS SLUSHY OUT, MY TRUCK GOT PULLED BY SLUSH AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND WOUND UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE INSIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY ONCE THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I THEN HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. HOW IRONI…
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IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND IT WAS SLUSHY OUT, MY TRUCK GOT PULLED BY SLUSH AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND WOUND UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE INSIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY ONCE THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I THEN HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. HOW IRONIC THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS SHUT OFF YET IT STILL WENT OFF. ALSO WHEN MY TRUCK WENT IN THE SHOP TO BE FIXED I FOUND OUT THAT BOTH SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONERS HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE BOTH OF THEM HAD BROKE YET I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK WAS FIXED BY A FORD DEALER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG WENT OFF WHEN IT WAS SHUT OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER WHY THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD WENT OFF AND WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER HAD BROKE AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THEY DID NOT KNOW. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT ANSWER AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAD TO PAY DOUBLE OF WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO REPLACE ONE AIR BAG AND ONE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141886
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2001 FORD RANGER CRASHED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT/ SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FORD M HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2001 FORD RANGER CRASHED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT/ SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FORD M HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. ALSO, PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10140005
36,900 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT BACK, AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THE FUEL SAFETY CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE HE COULD STA…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT BACK, AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THE FUEL SAFETY CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE HE COULD START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE CONTACT WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, SLID INTO A CAR AT A GREEN LIGHT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER RESULTING IN MULTIPLE BREAST CONTUSIONS. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONSUMER'S HEAD HAD ALREADY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139835
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2005
Air Bags
DT: 2001 FORD RANGER. THERE IS AN AIR BAG ON AND OFF SWITCH THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK. IT MALFUNCTION, AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $400.00 TO CHECK THE WIRING. THE PART WILL THEN BE ORDERED BY FORD. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND TH…
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DT: 2001 FORD RANGER. THERE IS AN AIR BAG ON AND OFF SWITCH THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK. IT MALFUNCTION, AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $400.00 TO CHECK THE WIRING. THE PART WILL THEN BE ORDERED BY FORD. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY SAID IT WOULD COST TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN AT LEAST 4 OR 5 OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10130282
53,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40 MPH . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE SEAT BELT BACK INTO ITS POSITION IT DI…
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DT: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40 MPH . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE SEAT BELT BACK INTO ITS POSITION IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE SPRINGS WERE WEAK AND THEY WOULD FAIL AGAIN IF REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10125875
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).
Illustration