NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
515 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED, SIDEWALL ON OUTSIDE WAS IN PIECES, TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. TIRE SIZE P225/70R15, DOT # UNAVAILABLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND PIECES OF THE TIRE BEGAN FLYING EVERYWHERE, WHEN CONSUMER STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, CONSUMER HAS REPLAC…
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WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED, SIDEWALL ON OUTSIDE WAS IN PIECES, TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. TIRE SIZE P225/70R15, DOT # UNAVAILABLE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND PIECES OF THE TIRE BEGAN FLYING EVERYWHERE, WHEN CONSUMER STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #8002416
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER NOTICED VEHICLE'S TIMING WAS OFF, AND IT WAS LOSING POWER. CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001961
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS TRUCK. ITSTARTED OFF BY HAVING A BAD IGNITION PEICE TO WHERE SOME DAYS IT WOULD START, SOME IT WOULD NOT. NEXT, THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED AND FILLED UP MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD ON A TRIP TO THE BEACH. THEN THE ENGINE BEGINS TO STALL. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS STALL AT THE SAME SPEED…
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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS TRUCK. ITSTARTED OFF BY HAVING A BAD IGNITION PEICE TO WHERE SOME DAYS IT WOULD START, SOME IT WOULD NOT. NEXT, THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKED AND FILLED UP MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD ON A TRIP TO THE BEACH. THEN THE ENGINE BEGINS TO STALL. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS STALL AT THE SAME SPEED OR TEMP. OR ANYTHING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TRIED FIXING IT, NOTHING HAPPENED SO I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN, THE STILL COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY INSTALLED A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO GIVE THE DEALER FEEDBACK ON THE PROBLEM, WHICH IT DID NOT. SO I GOT THE TRUCK BACK AND THE SAME DAY IT DID IT TWICE. IT STILL DOES THIS ABOUT ONCE A DAY. WHICH DAY WILL BE THE DAY I AM MERGING ACROSS 4 OR 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE STALLS AND GET RUN OVER LITERALLY?? AFTER ALL THIS IS STILL GOING ON I LEFT MY HOUSE TO GO TO WORK AND I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK DIES, LOSES ALL POWER, THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT APPEARS AND THE OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO NOTHING. I DROVE IT TO WORK AD IT DID IT AGAIN SO I GOT FORD TO TOW TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST PART OF THE COMPUTER, AND IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. IT IS A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU ARE IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND YOUR VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER. THESE ARE ALL VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS, I AM A CAPTAIN OF A FIRE DEPT. AND SAFETY IS MY #1 PRIORITY, NOT JUST FOR MY SELF BUT FOR EVERYONE AROUND ME. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL GET DONE BEFORE THE TRUCK STALLS AT ABUSY INTERSECTION OR ON THE INTERSTATE RUNNING 70 MPH AND SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756614
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Suspension
THE PROBLEM IS A NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE INSTALLED SPRINGS AND SHOCKS ASSEMBLY. THE WHOLE TRUCK BOUNCES OVER A BUMP INSTEAD OF THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSING AND ABSORBING THE SHOCK. THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK BOUNCES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT AND MAKES ME ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP ON T…
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THE PROBLEM IS A NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE INSTALLED SPRINGS AND SHOCKS ASSEMBLY. THE WHOLE TRUCK BOUNCES OVER A BUMP INSTEAD OF THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSING AND ABSORBING THE SHOCK. THE RESULTS ARE THAT THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK BOUNCES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT AND MAKES ME ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP ON TWO WHEELS ON ONE OCCASION AND ALMOST ROLLED OVER. THE VEHICLE FINALLY SETTLED BACK DOWN ON ALL FOUR WHEELS AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756511
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS TRUCK THAT I AM LEASING HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF IT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755468
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE FOR FRONT BRAKES PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT FIXED TWICE AND DROPPED OF AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME ON 12/08/01. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM: ROTORS, PADS REPLACED TWICE , HOSES ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO 12/08/01. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755424
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2001
Tires
SPARE TIRE IS NOT THE SAME SIZE AS REGULAR TIRES, REGULAR TIRES ARE SIZE 24575R16, AND SPARE TIRE SIZE IS 23575R15. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT ALL TIRES SHOULD BE THE SAME SIZE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #899727
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2001
Tires
FORD COMPANY TOOK OFF A FIRESTONE TIRE AND REPLACED IT WITH B.F.GOODRICH OF A DIFFERENT SIZE. CURRENTLY TIRE IS TURNING MORE RESOLUTIONS THAN VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO TURN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRE SIZE 16? WITH B.F. GOODRICH SPARE TIRE SIZE 15?, THE TIRE WILL NOT FIT IN THE SPAR…
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FORD COMPANY TOOK OFF A FIRESTONE TIRE AND REPLACED IT WITH B.F.GOODRICH OF A DIFFERENT SIZE. CURRENTLY TIRE IS TURNING MORE RESOLUTIONS THAN VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO TURN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRE SIZE 16? WITH B.F. GOODRICH SPARE TIRE SIZE 15?, THE TIRE WILL NOT FIT IN THE SPARE COMPARTMENT AND LEAVING HIM TO DRIVE WITH ONE 15? AND THREE 16?. CONSUMER IS STATING THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR HIS SAFETY. *YD
NHTSA ODI #899490
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2001
Tires
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON ROUTE 5 IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND. I HAD JSU GONE THROUGH ST MARY'S CITY AND WAS SPEDING UP TO ABOUT 40 WHEN I HEARD A RUMBLING THAT SOUNDED LIKE A DOOR HAD COME PARTIALLY OPEN. MY TURNOFF WAS IN A COUPLE OF MILES SO I JUST IGNORED IT. AFTER ABOUT 2 MILES THE LEFT REAR SIDE LURCHED DOWN AND I HEARD THE RUMBL…
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I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON ROUTE 5 IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND. I HAD JSU GONE THROUGH ST MARY'S CITY AND WAS SPEDING UP TO ABOUT 40 WHEN I HEARD A RUMBLING THAT SOUNDED LIKE A DOOR HAD COME PARTIALLY OPEN. MY TURNOFF WAS IN A COUPLE OF MILES SO I JUST IGNORED IT. AFTER ABOUT 2 MILES THE LEFT REAR SIDE LURCHED DOWN AND I HEARD THE RUMBLING OF A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OFF IN ABOUT A 1/4 MILE (COAST TO STOP AND PULLED OFF) AND THE ENTIRE OUTER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREADED. I WENT TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER (9400 MAIN STREET IN FAIRFAX VA) AND HE SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR A TIRE. SOMEHOW I DON'T THINK A COMPLETE SIDE WALL DISENGERATION IS NORMAL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE THE TIRE AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT IN IF YOU WOULD LIKE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU 1501 TIRESIZE: 225/70R-15)
NHTSA ODI #754366
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2001
Visibility
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, AND TURNING DEFOGGER ON WINDSHIELD, IT WILL FOG UP, REDUCING VISIBILITY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #898948
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).
Illustration