IllustrationPAINT CLEAR COAT IS CHIPING AND PEELING AROUND MOST OF THE VEHICLE . *AK
2001 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Ranger years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
5025–50K
4450–75K
5275–100K
73100–150K
29150K+
281 reports with mileage · 234 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
62 crash reports9 fire reports40 injury reports
What owners actually said
515 reportsWHILE STANDING ON TAILGATE BOTH CABLES BROKE AT THE SAME TIME, THE TAILGATE DROPPED TO THE BUMPER AND I FELL TO THE GROUND.
HIT A POTHOLE WHILE TURNING LEFT ; LEAVING A RESTAURANT. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE FOR A MOMENT. HIT CURB ON THE MEDIAN, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED; CROSSED OVER GRASS MEDIAN. WAS BLINDED AND DRIFTED OVER ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND BACK INTO PARKING LOT WICH WAS MY INITIAL DEPARTURE POINT.
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER 4-WHEEL DRIVE OFF ROAD. IT HAS 22.000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT APPROXIMATELY 10 (TEN) MILES IN 4-WHEEL, NEVER OFF-ROAD. I HAD ALL OILS CHANGED AND ANALYSED TO ENSURE NO HIDDEN PROBLEMS. THE RESULTS ARE: TRANSFER CASE (FIRST TEST) ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF COPPER--CRITICAL AMOUNT OF ALUMINUM--CRITICAL AMOU…
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I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER 4-WHEEL DRIVE OFF ROAD. IT HAS 22.000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DRIVEN IT APPROXIMATELY 10 (TEN) MILES IN 4-WHEEL, NEVER OFF-ROAD. I HAD ALL OILS CHANGED AND ANALYSED TO ENSURE NO HIDDEN PROBLEMS. THE RESULTS ARE: TRANSFER CASE (FIRST TEST) ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF COPPER--CRITICAL AMOUNT OF ALUMINUM--CRITICAL AMOUNT OF SILICON. SECONT TEST--SIKICON LEVELS HIGH--WEAR METALS HIGH--FRONT DIFFERENTIAL--MODEARQATE LEVELS OF DIRT--WEAR METALS HIGH--REAR DIFFERENTIAL--NICKEL LEVEL APPEARS HIGH---TRANSMISSION--TEST INDICATE NO CORRECTIVE ACTION--ENGINE--TESTS INDICATE NO CORRECTIVE ACTION (I HAVE CHANGED OIL AND FILTER 7 TIMES). FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS IF NO PROBLEMS ARE CURRENT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. OIL CONTAMINATION LEADS TO PROBLEMS. FORD MOTOR COMAPNY IS SELLING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT DOOMED TO FAIL.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ILLEGALLY ENTERED THE LANE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THERE WERE SLIGHT INJURIES. *SC
FORD RANGER XLT 2001 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FROM NEW AND NOW JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY BASED ON MILEAGE, THE TRANSMISSION IS NEEDING REBUILDING OR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38412 MILES TOTAL ON IT, WARRANTY COVERAGE ONLY LASTS UNTIL 36000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST OF 20…
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FORD RANGER XLT 2001 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FROM NEW AND NOW JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY BASED ON MILEAGE, THE TRANSMISSION IS NEEDING REBUILDING OR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38412 MILES TOTAL ON IT, WARRANTY COVERAGE ONLY LASTS UNTIL 36000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST OF 2001. NO SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS HAVE EXISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE (I.E. TOWING, HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR ITEM HAULING). THIS VEHICLE BEGAN VERY EARLY SATURDAY APRIL 10, 2004 FLASHING THE O/D OFF INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH PANEL. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INDICATED THAT THE OBDII SYSTEM WAS REGISTERING 3 DIFFERENT CODES HAVING TO DO WITH THE POWERTRAIN SYSTEM. THE CODES REGISTERING WERE P0731, P0733 AND P0735. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE VEHICLE THERE IS A TBS FOR THE CODE P0733 REGISTERING. THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO I ENDED UP RECEIVING THE BAD NEWS FROM ONLY GAVE ME THE OPTION OF INSTALLING A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF ROUGHLY $2600. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDANT TRANSMISSION MECHANIC TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND SEE WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING. THIS MECHANIC HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT, BUT ALSO COMMENTED THAT HE IS SEEING MORE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION MODEL IN THIS VEHICLE. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE TREND IS THAT BETWEEN 30-40,000 MILES IS THE RANGE AT WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS. I PLACED A CALL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ARE 'RESEARCHING' POSSIBILITIES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THE MAIN CONCERN THAT I HAVE WITH THIS 'FIX' IS THAT IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME MODEL OF TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN IN 30-40,000 MILES.*AK
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2001. TODAY I WAS CHECKING THE AIR IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRE IS 15" ON A 15" WHEEL. THE OTHER WHEELS AND TIRES ARE ALL 16". THESE TIRES WERE ALL CHANGED FROM FIRESTONE TO GOODYEAR WHEN THE SCARE APPEARED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIRES AND SURELY HAD TO KNOW THE PROBLEM, BUT N…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2001. TODAY I WAS CHECKING THE AIR IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRE IS 15" ON A 15" WHEEL. THE OTHER WHEELS AND TIRES ARE ALL 16". THESE TIRES WERE ALL CHANGED FROM FIRESTONE TO GOODYEAR WHEN THE SCARE APPEARED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIRES AND SURELY HAD TO KNOW THE PROBLEM, BUT NO ONE MENTIONED IT OR CORRECTED IT. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET A PROPER SIZED WHEEL AND TIRE? I'M SURE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD OR CAUSE ME PROBLEMS IF I HAVE TO USE THIS SPARE. *JB
TRUCK EXHIBITS IDLE DIP BELOW 500 RPM DURING DECELERATION WHEN ALMOST STOPPED. TRUCK TRIES TO PUSH THROUGH STOP, ENGINE NEARLY DIES ONCE TRUCK IS STOPPED ENGINE CORRECTS AND IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL. *JB
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH BRAKE LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON. MECHANIC REPLACED A FUSE. *AK
Official recalls
409V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 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.
07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
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.
01V227001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
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.
00V394000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
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).