NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
112 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY TO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY TO BE INSPECTED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE HINGES WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK TO THE FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 01/25/11*LJ THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN EVAP LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #10368651
82,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure
IN 2001 PURCHASED A NEW FORD 2001 XLT RANGER FROM A DEALERSHIP. IN MARCH/APRIL 2009, AT 76,000 MILES IT BECAME NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKELINE SYSTEM DUE TO ROT. IN DEC /JAN 2009 THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE REAR BUMPER BECAME LOOSE. IN THE EARLY SPRING OF 2010 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. THE VEHICL…
Read full complaint
IN 2001 PURCHASED A NEW FORD 2001 XLT RANGER FROM A DEALERSHIP. IN MARCH/APRIL 2009, AT 76,000 MILES IT BECAME NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKELINE SYSTEM DUE TO ROT. IN DEC /JAN 2009 THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE REAR BUMPER BECAME LOOSE. IN THE EARLY SPRING OF 2010 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SET FOR SERVICE AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME AND BED ATTACHMENT, LEAF SPRINGS AND FRAME ATTACHMENTS, MAIN FRAME, WERE CORRODED AND ROTTED WITH VISIBLE HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN BECAUSE A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT FRAME IS UNAVAILABLE AND REPAIRS AT THIS TIME ARE UNAFFORDABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361526
90,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Structure
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER, WHICH NOW HAS 96000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 90000 MILES, THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF OF THE FRAME. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THE TRUCK BED DROPPED DOWN ON TO THE SHACKLE EAR WITH A TU=HUD AND SHOOK THE TRUCK. THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE HOUSING HAS ALSO …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER, WHICH NOW HAS 96000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 90000 MILES, THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF OF THE FRAME. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THE TRUCK BED DROPPED DOWN ON TO THE SHACKLE EAR WITH A TU=HUD AND SHOOK THE TRUCK. THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE HOUSING HAS ALSO RUSTED AWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354106
88,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Structure
RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK HAS RESULTED IN THE TRUCK NEED A NEW FRAME OR I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TRUCK. STARTED IN 2009 THE BUMPER FELL OFF AND I HAD TO PUT STEEL ON THE END OF THE FRAME TO SUPPORT THE BUMPER . IN 2010 THE SPRING HANGER BROKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS GONE , FROM THE BACK WHEELS TO THE BUMPER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348321
83,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED LARGE HOLES, BROKE AND WAS COVERED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FAULTY AND POORLY DESIGNED. THE REAR SPRING MOUNTS WERE REPLACED…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED LARGE HOLES, BROKE AND WAS COVERED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FAULTY AND POORLY DESIGNED. THE REAR SPRING MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RUST CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344752
34,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE DOORS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE FORD DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE DOORS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE FORD DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10319888
52,000 miles · Dec 12, 2009
Structure
2001 FORD RANGER 2WD 52K MILES. REAR FRAME ROTTED THROUGH AT LEAF SPRING BRACKETS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND SHACKLES ROTTED APART FROM FRAME. CROSSMEMBER AT FUEL TANK ROTTED THROUGH. SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THIS MAY BE RELATED TO ROAD SALT USE BUT MY OTHER (OLDER) VEHICLES NEVER ROTTED OUT TO THIS E…
Read full complaint
2001 FORD RANGER 2WD 52K MILES. REAR FRAME ROTTED THROUGH AT LEAF SPRING BRACKETS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND SHACKLES ROTTED APART FROM FRAME. CROSSMEMBER AT FUEL TANK ROTTED THROUGH. SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THIS MAY BE RELATED TO ROAD SALT USE BUT MY OTHER (OLDER) VEHICLES NEVER ROTTED OUT TO THIS EXTENT. NOT SURE WHAT MY FINAL FIX WILL BE YET, BUT IT WILL INVOLVE SOME PATCHING AND WELDING. WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE FRAME, OR AT LEAST BACK HALF OF FRAME TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE AND LAST LONG ENOUGH TO REACH 100K MILES. DISAPPOINTING FAILURE FROM AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295466
110,734 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Structure
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER AND HAVE A REALLY BAD RUSTING ISSUE ON THE REAR FRAME. THE FRONT HALF SEEMS FINE BUT THE REAR HALF IS RUSTING REALLY BAD AND I FEAR THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD LARGE CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL FALL OFF THAT MORE CRITICAL PARTS MAY BE WEAKENED BY THE BAD RUST. I BELONG TO A RANGER FORUM AND KNOW THAT MANY HAVE T…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER AND HAVE A REALLY BAD RUSTING ISSUE ON THE REAR FRAME. THE FRONT HALF SEEMS FINE BUT THE REAR HALF IS RUSTING REALLY BAD AND I FEAR THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD LARGE CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL FALL OFF THAT MORE CRITICAL PARTS MAY BE WEAKENED BY THE BAD RUST. I BELONG TO A RANGER FORUM AND KNOW THAT MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292397
136,000 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Structure
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT TWO YEARS AGO AND WHEN I WENT TO GET A STICKER ON IT LAST YEAR I HAD TO PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO HAVING PART OF THE FRAME REPLACED DUE TO ROT. THIS YEAR I TOOK IT TO QUIRK FORD IN AUGUSTA TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD NEED BEFORE MY STICKER AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN IF I GET THE BASIC REGULAR MAINTENANCE DO…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT TWO YEARS AGO AND WHEN I WENT TO GET A STICKER ON IT LAST YEAR I HAD TO PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO HAVING PART OF THE FRAME REPLACED DUE TO ROT. THIS YEAR I TOOK IT TO QUIRK FORD IN AUGUSTA TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD NEED BEFORE MY STICKER AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN IF I GET THE BASIC REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE TO GET A STICKER ($3K) IT WOULD NEVER GET A STICKER AGAIN DUE TO THE ROT IN THE ROCKER PANELS AND THE FRAME. I'VE CONTACTED FORD AS IT IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND SHOULDN'T BE IN THAT CONDITION. THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AM STUCK WITH PAYING THE REMAINDER $5800 I OWE ON THE VEHICLE AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF IT DUE TO THE NEGATIVE EQUITY BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION THE VEHICLE IS IN. I AM THE ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME FOR OUR FAMILY OF 3 RIGHT NOW AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE TWO VEHICLE PAYMENTS. I LIVE TOO FAR FROM WORK TO WALK. IT REALLY UPSETS ME THAT I'M STUCK WITH NO OPTIONS FOR AN ISSUE THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE. ISN'T THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265482
89,000 miles · Nov 26, 2008
StructureInjury
MY 2001 FORD RANGER PICKUP WITH 89,000 MILES WHICH IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT HAD BOTH TAILGATE CABLES SNAP IN THE MIDDLE WHILE MY KNEES WERE ON IT. I WAS REACHING FOR SOME GROCERIES INSIDE THE CANOPY AND BOTH CABLES SNAPPED, CAUSING MY KNEES TO BE HURT AND MY TAILGATE DENTED ON THE BUMPER. I WENT TO GRESHAM FORD P…
Read full complaint
MY 2001 FORD RANGER PICKUP WITH 89,000 MILES WHICH IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT HAD BOTH TAILGATE CABLES SNAP IN THE MIDDLE WHILE MY KNEES WERE ON IT. I WAS REACHING FOR SOME GROCERIES INSIDE THE CANOPY AND BOTH CABLES SNAPPED, CAUSING MY KNEES TO BE HURT AND MY TAILGATE DENTED ON THE BUMPER. I WENT TO GRESHAM FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS COMMON. I ALSO READ OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCE ON THE SAME ISSUE. ALTHOUGH THE TAILGATE CABLES ARE COVERED IN A RUBBER/PLASTIC COATING, THE ENDS ARE OPEN LEAVING WATER TO ACCESS AT THESE POINTS AND TO POOL IN THE MIDDLE WHEN THE TAILGATE IS SHUT. THUS LEAVING THE BRAIDED CABLE TO RUST IN THE MIDDLE. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HOLD 500 POUNDS OF PRESSURE AND IT BROKE ON MY 180 POUND WEIGHT. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE INJURY IF I HAD BEEN STANDING OR LOADING SOMETHING HEAVIER ON THE TAILGATE. GM AND CHEVY HAD A RECALL ON THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE CABLES WITH A SEALED END.I CALLED FORD ON NOV 24, 2008 AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ANY RECALL AND COULDN'T HELP ME. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS KILLED. I WAS INJURED AND MY TRUCK HAS DENTS BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THEY COULD ISSUE NEW CABLES DURING MAINTENANCE VISITS OR INFORM OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249946
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).