IllustrationBOTH TAILATE CABLES ON A 2001 FORD RANGER TRUCK BROKE WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE TAILGATE A FEW MONTHS AGO. MINOR INJURIES, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS! GM IS NOT THE ONLY COMPANY WITH FAULTY TAILGATE CABLES! WE REPLACED THE CABLES AT OUR OWN COST.*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 reportsI WAS DRIVING IN THE OFF ROAD AREA OF OCEANO DUNES AND WENT OFF A SAND DUNE HEAD FIRST ABOUT 15 FEET. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS SMASHED, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD IT IS BENT. NEITHER THE AIR BAG NOR THE SEAT BELT WORKED. I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR …
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING IN THE OFF ROAD AREA OF OCEANO DUNES AND WENT OFF A SAND DUNE HEAD FIRST ABOUT 15 FEET. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS SMASHED, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD IT IS BENT. NEITHER THE AIR BAG NOR THE SEAT BELT WORKED. I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR REPAIR FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THEY SAID THEY HAD REPAIRED IT THE LAST TIME BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY HADN'T. I HAVE CALLED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE ACCIDENT, THEY KEEP PROMISING TO RETURN MY CALL BUT I GET NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. FIRST THEY WOULDN'T BELIEVE THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE OF THEIR SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO WORK. I WONDER IF ANY ONE IS INTERESTED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT.*AK
2001 FORD RANGER 4.0 AUTOMATIC. ERRATIC SHIFTING DURING COLD WEATHER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHERS AND THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SOME DEALERS IS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS PLACED TO FAR FOREWARD OF THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID GELS DURING COLD WEATHER. TALKED TO OUR FORD DEALER IN TOWN AND T…
Read full complaint
2001 FORD RANGER 4.0 AUTOMATIC. ERRATIC SHIFTING DURING COLD WEATHER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHERS AND THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SOME DEALERS IS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS PLACED TO FAR FOREWARD OF THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID GELS DURING COLD WEATHER. TALKED TO OUR FORD DEALER IN TOWN AND THEY SAY ALOT OF THE ESCAPES THAT USE THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM HAVE LOST TRANSMISSION DUE TO THIS. THE SAME TRANSMISSION IS ALSO USED IN THE MAZDA AND MY BOSS AT WORK JUST HAD HIS GO OUT AT 15,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT INCLINED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY VEHICLE DURING COLD DAYS ( BELOW 30 ) ACTS LIKE SOMEONE IS PUTTING THE CLUTCH IN AND OUT VERY RAPIDLY WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT WHEN IT IS FIRST DRIVEN. HAD IT AT THE DEALER LAST YEAR BEFORE MY FORD WARRENTY EXPIRED AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. OF COUSE IF WAS ABOVE 40 THAT DAY. ANY INFLUENCE THAT COULD BE BROUGHT TO FORD TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WOULD BE HELPFUL. IT SEEMS ON THE VEHICLES THEY ARE FIXING NOW, FORD IS PUTTING IN ANOTHER SAFETY VALVE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SO ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WON'T BLOW OUT. THANKS FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. FORD WON'T.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHETHER HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT OR NOT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES, AND WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS. POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, BUT NO ONE WAS CITED. *AK…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHETHER HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT OR NOT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES, AND WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS. POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, BUT NO ONE WAS CITED. *AK *MR
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIRES. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS TIRES WERE WEARING OUT FROM THE INSIDE. *AK
I HAVE A 01 RANGER 4X4 WITH 4.0L ENGINE AND 4.10 REAR END. I CONTINUE TO HAVE AN INTERMITANT SHUDDER PROBLEM FROM 1-2 AND THEN AGAIN FROM 3-4 (AROUND 2500 RPMS) AND 4-5 (AROUND 2100 RPMS). I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: 1. REPLACED DRIVESHAFT 2. OVERHAUL VALVE BO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 01 RANGER 4X4 WITH 4.0L ENGINE AND 4.10 REAR END. I CONTINUE TO HAVE AN INTERMITANT SHUDDER PROBLEM FROM 1-2 AND THEN AGAIN FROM 3-4 (AROUND 2500 RPMS) AND 4-5 (AROUND 2100 RPMS). I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS PERFORMED: 1. REPLACED DRIVESHAFT 2. OVERHAUL VALVE BODY 3. PCM REPROGRAMMED 4. REPLACED VALVE BODY 5. REPLACED VALVE BODY AGAIN 6. OVERHAULED TRANSMISSION REPLACE OVERDRIVE DRUM DUE TO AN UNEVEN SURFACE SO FAR, I HAVE HAD OVER $2,500 IN REPAIRS (ALL UNDER WARRANTY LUCKILY). HOWEVER, THE SHUDDER IS STILL THERE, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AS HARSH AS IT ONCE WAS. A NEW PROBLEM HAS BEGUN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, NOW WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR, IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE IT ENGAGES. IN FACT, YOU CAN SIT THERE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WON'T GO. ONCE THE TRUCK IS WARMED UP, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE SHUDDER THAT IS FELT IS ERRATIC, BUT CAN BE MADE TO SHUDDER IF DRIVEN AT THE CORRECT SPEEDS. *AK
MY CLIENT IS SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO 2 CERVICAL FUSIONS AS ARESULT OF A REAR END MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH. HIS FORD RANGER HAS NO HEADREST AS SUCH BUT RATHER IS DESIGNED WITH A GLASS PARTION TO ACT AS MEANS FOR STOPPING HEAD'S MOVEMENT. AMAZING THAT FORD "COMPLIED" WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS USING GLASS PARTION. WHO EVER HEARD OF A …
Read full complaint
MY CLIENT IS SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO 2 CERVICAL FUSIONS AS ARESULT OF A REAR END MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH. HIS FORD RANGER HAS NO HEADREST AS SUCH BUT RATHER IS DESIGNED WITH A GLASS PARTION TO ACT AS MEANS FOR STOPPING HEAD'S MOVEMENT. AMAZING THAT FORD "COMPLIED" WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS USING GLASS PARTION. WHO EVER HEARD OF A GLASS HEADREST?
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS CRACKING.
WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLOCKED FROM THE BELT BUCKLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB RECALL#01V227001. *SC RQ04011.*PCO PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TAKEN VEH IN FOR RECALL WORK AND REPLACED D…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLOCKED FROM THE BELT BUCKLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB RECALL#01V227001. *SC RQ04011.*PCO PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TAKEN VEH IN FOR RECALL WORK AND REPLACED DSB ONLY. NOW PSB FAILED. OWNER GAVE PERM. TO RELEASE INFO.*PCO
QUESTIONS REGARDING FIRESTONE TIRES.*MR THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE STILL SUBJECT TO RECALL ON A 2001 FORD RANGER. *CB *JB
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).