NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
49 reportsClear category filter97,000 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS OF OCTOBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AS PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DISCONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS OF OCTOBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AS PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DISCONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE ABS TO FAIL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10206171
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FELT REAR BRAKES LOCKING, TOOK OFF REAR DRUMS FOUND THE LEFT REAR BRAKE SHOES HAD FALLEN APART. THEY WERE CAUSING THE REAR DRUMS TO LOCK UP. THE SHOES FELL COMPLETELY OFF THE RIVETS AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DRUMS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT I WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10159360
47,530 miles · Jan 23, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND HAVE TO BE PUMPED TO WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE REAR WHEELS WERE REMOVED, THE BRAKES FELL APART. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SHOES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. THESE COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE DEALE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND HAVE TO BE PUMPED TO WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE REAR WHEELS WERE REMOVED, THE BRAKES FELL APART. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SHOES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND DRUMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. THESE COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS IS HOW THE BRAKES WERE MANUFACTURED.
NHTSA ODI #10148346
34,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: CONTACT STATES: SHE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW FORD RANGER IN 2000 AND SHE HAS HAD TO PUT 2 TRANSMISSIONS AND 2 TORQUE CONVERTERS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN 70,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. SHE WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND TO THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD AND TO CONSUMER AFFAIR…
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DT: CONTACT STATES: SHE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW FORD RANGER IN 2000 AND SHE HAS HAD TO PUT 2 TRANSMISSIONS AND 2 TORQUE CONVERTERS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN 70,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. SHE WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND TO THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD AND TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS. SHE HAS TALKED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT FORD. SHE HAS ALSO TALKED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE IN DEARBORN MI. THERE WAS 34,000 MILES ON THE FIRST TRANSMISSION SHE REPLACED. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. *NM THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO FEEL A SLIPPING SENSATION WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10128314
20,000 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT VACUUM PRESSURE UNDER CERTAIN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO BRAKE POWER IF THE ACCELERATOR IS OPEN ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE SPEED TO REACH 2500 RPM, DURING COLD IDLE (AFTER START UP), FREQUENTLY AFTER RAPID ACCELERATION IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE THE BRAKES ARE THEN APPLIED. DEAL…
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THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT VACUUM PRESSURE UNDER CERTAIN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO BRAKE POWER IF THE ACCELERATOR IS OPEN ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE SPEED TO REACH 2500 RPM, DURING COLD IDLE (AFTER START UP), FREQUENTLY AFTER RAPID ACCELERATION IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE THE BRAKES ARE THEN APPLIED. DEALER AGREED THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER (TWICE), BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, AND FINALLY THE ENTIRE ENGINE. CONDITION REMAINS THE SAME. DEALER AND FORD ENGINEER NOW STATE THAT IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED - EVIDENTLY DESIGNED TO FAIL IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10092970
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND THE TRAVEL OF THE PEDALS OVERLAPS MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY PRESS BOTH PETALS AT THE SAME TIME. THIS OCURRED IN THE WINTER WHEN I WAS WEARING HEAVY BOOTS BUT IS POSSIBLE AT ANY TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086439
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD RANGER IT WAS VIBRATING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. TOLD THE SALESMAN AND HE SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. TOOK THE TRUCK IN, AND THEY CHARGED ME $669.00 SAID IT HAD BEEN IN SALT WATER I BOUGHT IT APRIL 12TH 2004 I DID NOT GO NEAR ANY SALT WATER THEY KNEW WHAT THE TROUBLE WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT ALSO SAID WARRANT…
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BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD RANGER IT WAS VIBRATING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. TOLD THE SALESMAN AND HE SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. TOOK THE TRUCK IN, AND THEY CHARGED ME $669.00 SAID IT HAD BEEN IN SALT WATER I BOUGHT IT APRIL 12TH 2004 I DID NOT GO NEAR ANY SALT WATER THEY KNEW WHAT THE TROUBLE WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT ALSO SAID WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10082897
35,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
TRAVELING APPROX 68 MPH I SWURVED TO AVOID GOING OFF ROAD.AS I JERKED THE STIRRING WHEEL TO MY RT THEN BACK TO MY LEFT I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES WITH A HARD AND CONSISTANT PRESSSURE,CAUSING MY FRONT BREAKS LOCKUP,WHICH RESULTED IN ME LOSING CONTROL OF MY TRUCK IT !!SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL I WENT ONLY TO COME TO REST AFTER A FRONTA…
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TRAVELING APPROX 68 MPH I SWURVED TO AVOID GOING OFF ROAD.AS I JERKED THE STIRRING WHEEL TO MY RT THEN BACK TO MY LEFT I STEPPED ON MY BRAKES WITH A HARD AND CONSISTANT PRESSSURE,CAUSING MY FRONT BREAKS LOCKUP,WHICH RESULTED IN ME LOSING CONTROL OF MY TRUCK IT !!SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL I WENT ONLY TO COME TO REST AFTER A FRONTAL IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MRH AS WELL AS A REAR IMPACT SPEED AT THIS POINT UNKNOWN. BESIDES MY FRONT BREAKS LOCKING UP, NEITHER MY DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045934
19,000 miles · Sep 1, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD RANGER 2001 4X4 PREMATURE BRAKE SYSTEM WEAR PADS TOTALLY WORN AT 19000 MILES AND ROTORS ALREADY RESURFACED TWICE. PADS REPLACED AT MY COST ON THIRD VISIT TO DEALER FOR BRAKE SQUEAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10036978
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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