NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
515 reports112,000 miles · Jan 5, 2012
StructureSuspension
FRAME WAS NOTED TO HAVE SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR PORTION OF FRAME, HOWEVER,THE FRONT PORTION OFTHE FRAME DOES NOT SHOW SUCH DAMAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE SO COMMON THAT THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FRAME REPAIR KIT FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAS NO OTHER ISSUES. I BELIEVE THAT IT SOULD N…
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FRAME WAS NOTED TO HAVE SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR PORTION OF FRAME, HOWEVER,THE FRONT PORTION OFTHE FRAME DOES NOT SHOW SUCH DAMAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE SO COMMON THAT THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FRAME REPAIR KIT FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAS NO OTHER ISSUES. I BELIEVE THAT IT SOULD NOT BE MUCH TO ASK TO HAVE DEFECT REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO AVOID SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10443039
135,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED AT LOW SPEEDS UPON HITTING BUMPS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440978
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2011
Suspension
TRUCK HAS 86,000 AND LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW CONDITION, HOWEVER, THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED, OUR AUTO MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCKS LIFE IS COMING TO AN END. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND THEY CAN NOT COMMENT AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD HELP PAY FOR A FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH THEY D…
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TRUCK HAS 86,000 AND LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW CONDITION, HOWEVER, THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED, OUR AUTO MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCKS LIFE IS COMING TO AN END. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND THEY CAN NOT COMMENT AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD HELP PAY FOR A FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH THEY DECLINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440951
110,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension
REAR FRAME ON RANGER IS RUSTING. THE SLOT WHERE THE GAS TANK STRAP HOOKS ON TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO DROP THE WHOLE BACK FRAME LOOKS BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440167
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TRUCK VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND A BRAKE FAILURE PROMPT THE DRIVER TO SWITCH INTO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SPUN OFF OUT OF CONTROL(BURNING TIRE) AND IT TOOK OFF VERY FAST WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP IT BUT NOTHING WORKED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10437685
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure
DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCHES AND SWITCHES. PREVENTS DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY AND ALSO PREVENTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO SHUT OFF. DOORS SHUT BUT DON'T LATCH FULLY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DOOR TO POP OPEN. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL A WHILE AGO. WHEN TALKING TO MY MECHANIC AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH A 99-0…
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DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCHES AND SWITCHES. PREVENTS DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY AND ALSO PREVENTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO SHUT OFF. DOORS SHUT BUT DON'T LATCH FULLY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DOOR TO POP OPEN. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL A WHILE AGO. WHEN TALKING TO MY MECHANIC AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH A 99-01 RANGER EXTENDED CAB 4 DOOR THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT SOMEONE IN THE BACK JUMP SEAT WILL BE LEANING UP AGAINST THE DOOR AND IT WILL POP OPEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY FIX THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THIS IS A FORD RANGER PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING IT!!! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10437514
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL PORTIONS OF THE FRAME, FUEL SYSTEM, AND BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT ENDS OF THE FRAME WERE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE RUSTING AND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL PORTIONS OF THE FRAME, FUEL SYSTEM, AND BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT ENDS OF THE FRAME WERE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE RUSTING AND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RUSTING BEGAN APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ UPDATED 01/03/12
NHTSA ODI #10436742
100,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
StructureSuspension
NOTICED MY TRUCK WAS SITTING CROOKED. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE REPAIRED. ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED MY PHONE AND ASKED ME TO COME TO THEIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUSTED SPRING SHACKLES AND RUSTED SPRING HANGERS AND THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS SHOP WOULD NOT PUT MY TRAILER HITCH BACK ON…
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NOTICED MY TRUCK WAS SITTING CROOKED. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE REPAIRED. ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED MY PHONE AND ASKED ME TO COME TO THEIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUSTED SPRING SHACKLES AND RUSTED SPRING HANGERS AND THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS SHOP WOULD NOT PUT MY TRAILER HITCH BACK ON BECAUSE HE SAID MY RUSTY FRAME WOULD NOT HOLD IT UP. I TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO A FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS PAID FOR, WARRANTY WAS OUT AND AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THE PROBLEM WAS MINE. I TRIED TO TELL THE DEALER THAT THIS DIDN,T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. HE DIDN,T CARE. I HAVE HAD PARTS OF THE FRAME PLATED SO IT WOULDN,T BREAK INTO. GAS TANK BRACKETS HAVE RUSTED OFF. MAIN FRONT CROSSMEMBER HAS RUST HOLES IN IT. THIS TRUCK WAS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND ITS JUNK. TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF AT A DEALER FIRST THING THEY LOOK AT IS THE FRAME. THE DEALERS KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAMES RUSTING. AND MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THE AREA WITH RUSTED FRAME PROBLEMS. MY SON HAS A 2004 FORD THATS ALMOST AS BAD AS MINE. I HAVE A 1955 FORD TRUCK THAT HAS A BETTER FRAME UNDER IT THAN MY 2001. SAD BUT TRUE. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY TRUCK FOR THOSE FIRST 7 YEARS BUT WHO CRAWLS UNDER THEIR CAR OR TRUCK TO CHECK FOR RUST. YOU EXPECT SOME BUT NOT TO THIS EXTENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435101
95,000 miles · Nov 8, 2011
StructureSuspension
REAR LEAF SPRING HANGERS FAILED & SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE LEAF SPRING TO DAMAGE THE BED OF THE TRUCK AS THE LEAF SPRING DROVE THROUGH THE SKIN OF THE TRUCK BED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434860
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire
I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS BURNING. PUT FIRE OUT AND TOWED THE PICK UP TO THE SHOP WHERE IT REMAINS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433605
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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