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
42,000 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Electrical System
FAILURE OF THE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE WHERE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT OUT OF 4WD CAUSING A NEAR HIT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON DOING RESEARCH FOUND THAT MANY OTHER RANGER AND EXPLORER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211901
220,144 miles · Nov 13, 2007
Electrical System
2001 FORD RANGER THROTTLES UP TO AS MUCH AS 3000 RPM AT STOP WHILE BRAKE IS ENGAGED. SOME TIMES CAUSING VEHICLE TO PROCEED INTO INTERSECTION DISPUTE BRAKING(BECAUSE TRUCK WAS COASTED TO STOP AND BRAKE WAS AT THE END OF ITS TRAVEL). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208787
90 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Electrical SystemStructure
DT: THE BED IWAS TWISTED,FOUND OUT IT WAS DROPPED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AT THE FACTORY. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PINCHED, FOUND OUT THAT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DOORS POPPED OPEN. TOOK TO BODY SHOP, THEY DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, THEY MEASURED AGAINST FORD SPEC'S. THIS IS IN COURT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125587
13,000 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Electrical System
I AM WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO INFORM JOE THE AUTO DRIVER ABOUT A SITUATION I ENCOUNTERED. I OWN A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE WITH 28000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY KICKED IN WITH ZERO DEDUCTIBLE . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LABORING OR BUCKING WHEN IT WOULD COME TO A STOP. I BROUGHT THE V…
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I AM WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO INFORM JOE THE AUTO DRIVER ABOUT A SITUATION I ENCOUNTERED. I OWN A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE WITH 28000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY KICKED IN WITH ZERO DEDUCTIBLE . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LABORING OR BUCKING WHEN IT WOULD COME TO A STOP. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO RED MCCOMBS FORD OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THEY PROMISED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE THE NEXT DAY. I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE AND I COULD PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I GAVE MY NAME TO GIRL AT SERVICE DESK FOR THE PAPERWORK. SHE SEEMED TO HAVE A PROBLEM FINDING MY PAPERWORK. AFTER SPELLING MY NAME IN ENGLISH, SPELLING IN PHONETICS (ECHO, DELTA, ETC), AND FINALLY WRITING IN A PIECE OF PAPER SHE STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PAPERWORK. THEN, SHE CALLED SERVICE ADVISOR WHO BROUGHT HIS PAPERWORK AND STILL COULD NOT FIND MY PAPERWORK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT AFTER FORTY MINUTES THE PAPERWORK WAS FOUND ON ANOTHER PILE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SERVICE GIRLS DESK. SHE THEN PRESENTED ME WITH A BILL OF $65.00 FOR THE REPAIR. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE. SHE CALLED THE TOP SERVICE MANGER AND HE TOLD ME, THAT REPAIR DIDNT INVOLVE A PART CHANGE; I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSIS FEE. MY PATIENCE HAD JUST BEEN SURPASSED AND I DEMANDED TO SEE THE TOP GUN AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TAKEN INTO THE OFFICE OF CHARLES HYLTON, SERVICE DIRECTOR WHO PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN THE SAME STORY. AT THIS POINT I WAS AT MY WITS END AND DECIDED I WOULD SPLIT THE BILL; HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE GOING TO SEE ME. HE THEN TRUMPED ME AND OFFERED TO PAY THE WHOLE BILL. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED AT FIRST. I FEEL THEY ATTEMPTED TO WEAR ME DOWN, SO I COULD JUST PAY THE $65.00 AND MOVE ON BY MY BUSINESS. I HAVE NO CO-PAY AND THEY KNEW IT! I WONDER HOW MANY JOE DRIVERS HAVE FACED AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090558
2,000 miles · Jun 26, 2004
Electrical System
MY 2001 FORD RANGER 3.0 LITER AUTOMATIC HAS A LOT OF PRE-IGNITION UNDER LOAD, REGARDLESS OF OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. I HAVE HAD 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE THE TIMING TO RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS. AN INDEPENDANT SHOP TOLD ME THAT THAT THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. HE SAID …
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MY 2001 FORD RANGER 3.0 LITER AUTOMATIC HAS A LOT OF PRE-IGNITION UNDER LOAD, REGARDLESS OF OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. I HAVE HAD 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE THE TIMING TO RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS. AN INDEPENDANT SHOP TOLD ME THAT THAT THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COMES FROM A CONTROL MODULE THAT CHANGES THE ENGINE TIMING AS NEEDED FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE. IS THERE SUCH A CURE FOR ME? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078864
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2002
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK, WHICH RESULTS IN NOT LETTING CONSUMER KNOW IF ANY OF THE DOORS ARE OPENED.*AK
THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM TO NO EVAIL. THE BATTERY WENT OUT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIED, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEATS REPLACED THE TRAMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE THE COMPUTER/BRAIN TO RUN…
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THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM TO NO EVAIL. THE BATTERY WENT OUT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIED, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEATS REPLACED THE TRAMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE THE COMPUTER/BRAIN TO RUN THE TRUCK HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES. I DONT THINK I CAN TAKE THIS TRUCK BREAKING DOWN ALL THE TIME FOR TO MUCH LONGER. IAM IN A RENTAL CAR MORE THEN IN MY TRUCK. HELP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU IFO TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)
NHTSA ODI #759731
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 · Jun 15, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER SHIP FOR SERVICE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
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).
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