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2003 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →
243Owner complaints

Model-year median: 144

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
670
2000515
2001346
2002243
2003404
2004289
2005271
2006
Compare all Ranger years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
43Vehicle Speed Control
40Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29Air Bags
25Suspension
23
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
18Electrical System
17Power Train
16Unknown Or Other
12Tires
10Engine
9Fuel System, Gasoline
9Seat Belts
9Steering
7Exterior Lighting
6Fuel/propulsion System
6Latches/locks/linkages
5Service Brakes
5Fuel System, Other
4Wheels
4Parking Brake
3Equipment
2Seats
2Child Seat
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

185 reports with mileage · 58 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports11 fire reports20 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

40 reports
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6,000 miles · Jul 3, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON 2003 RANGER DEFECTS. *TS A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S DOWNLOADED COMPLAINTS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. *NM WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH BEFORE THE C…

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CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON 2003 RANGER DEFECTS. *TS A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S DOWNLOADED COMPLAINTS THAT WERE SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WITH HIS VEHICLE. *NM WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET IT TO STOP. THREE MONTHS LATER WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND STRUCK SEVERAL VEHICLES. THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO FOUR PEOPLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PROVE THAT THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT THEREFORE HE WAS SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN JAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154102

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2003 RANGER SUDDENLY GOING AT FULL SPEED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TS THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NOTHING WAS FIXED. COMPLAINANT WRITING ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144242

9,815 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE FAILED IN OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AT 4000 RPM. DRIVING ABILITY WAS SEVERELY IMPAIRED AT THIS HIGH IDLE. SPEED CONTROL WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE WAS DIFFICULT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135679

31,200 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2003 FORD RANGER 4X4 APPEARED TO DISENGAGE WHEN I SHIFTED THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL. WHEN MY VEHICLE SLOWED, I SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE ENGINE RACED TO REDLINE(REV LIMITER) AS THE CRUISE WAS TRYING TO IMMEDIATELY INCREASE THE SPEED WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE TRANSMISSIO…

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CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2003 FORD RANGER 4X4 APPEARED TO DISENGAGE WHEN I SHIFTED THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL. WHEN MY VEHICLE SLOWED, I SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE ENGINE RACED TO REDLINE(REV LIMITER) AS THE CRUISE WAS TRYING TO IMMEDIATELY INCREASE THE SPEED WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE FULLY. I SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN I NOTICED THAT I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I CUT CRUISE CONTROL OFF, THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND EVERYTHING WORKED CORRECTLY. IF CRUISE CONTROL IS SUPPOSED TO DISENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, IT REALLY SHOULD DISENGAGE NOT RACE TO REDLINE WHEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE AFFECT WOULD BE IF AN ENGINE AT 6000 RPMS SUDDENLY ENGAGES THE TRANSMISSION AT 65 MPH. I'D RATHER HAVE THE ENGINE RACE WHEN I FIRST PUT THE SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL THAN WHEN I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10133387

9,300 miles · Jul 7, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT DRIVERS. HAVE HAD THE TRUCK LOOKED AT BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ODI #10127746

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ENGINE STUMBLED ON ACCELERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELERATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE …

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ENGINE STUMBLED ON ACCELERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELERATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRONICS. I AM NOW SERVING 5 YRS AND 10 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT MY PLEA, IF IT WAS A ACCIDENT OR DELIBERATE ACT BY THE DRIVER. NOT ONLY DO I WISH THIS TO BE FIXED, BUT I NEED MORE EVIDENCE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE HAS WELL. I NEED WRITTEN EVIDENCE FROM OTHER STATES THAT THESE ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED. IN HOPES IT WILL HELP MY CASE. SO I CAN GET BACK HOME TO MY FAMILY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109942

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ENGINE STUMBLED AN ACCLERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICAL TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELRATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCCASIONS, NEARLEY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE I…

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ENGINE STUMBLED AN ACCLERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICAL TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELRATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCCASIONS, NEARLEY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRONIOCS. I AM NOW SERVING 5YRS AND 10MONTHS IN PRISON FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENSE TO SUPPORT MY PLEA, IF IT WAS A ACCIDENT OR DILIBERATE ACT BY THE DRIVER. NOT ONLY DO I WISH THIS TO BE FIXED, BUT I NEED MORE EVIDENSE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE HAS WELL. I NEED WRITTEN EVIDENCE FROM OTHER STATES THAT THESE ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED. IN HOPES IT WILL HELP MY CASE.SO I CAN GET BACK HOME TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10109941

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ENGINE STUMBLED AN ACCELERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELERATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE …

Read full complaint

ENGINE STUMBLED AN ACCELERATION AND SURGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER PASSENGER CAR. ACCELERATOR STUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY CAUSING PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED THE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY AGREED THAT A PROBLEM COULD EXIST SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRONICS. I AM NOW SERVING 5YRS AND 10MONTHS IN PRISON FOR THIS ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT MY PLEA, IF IT WAS A ACCIDENT OR DELIBERATE ACT BY THE DRIVER. NOT ONLY DO I WISH THIS TO BE FIXED, BUT I NEED MORE EVIDENCE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE HAS WELL. I NEED WRITTEN EVIDENCE FROM OTHER STATES THAT THESE ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED. IN HOPES IT WILL HELP MY CASE. SO I CAN GET BACK HOME TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10109940

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR BRAKE FAILURE AND ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109438

13,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER STATED THE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING HE HITS BOTH PEDALS AT ONE TIME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE NEEDS TO BE MOVED 2 TO 2 1/2 INCHES TO THE LEFT. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10101272

Official recalls

1

09V399000 · 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.

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

1

PE05066 · Brake Lights Inoperative

Opened Dec 5, 2005 · Closed Mar 24, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. THE TSB'S AFFECTED THE FORD SUPER CAB AND MAZDA CAB PLUS VEHICLES ONLY.SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO DIAGNOSE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS.FORD AND MAZDA ISSUED THE TSB'S TO AID TECHNICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPAIR OF THE WIRE CHAFE CONDITION.OF ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR BRAKE LAMP FAILURE, FORD IDENTIFIED ONLY 120 THAT WERE RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. THE TSB'S AFFECTED THE FORD SUPER CAB AND MAZDA CAB PLUS VEHICLES ONLY.SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO DIAGNOSE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS.FORD AND MAZDA ISSUED THE TSB'S TO AID TECHNICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPAIR OF THE WIRE CHAFE CONDITION.OF ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR BRAKE LAMP FAILURE, FORD IDENTIFIED ONLY 120 THAT WERE RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. THE TSB'S AFFECTED THE FORD SUPER CAB AND MAZDA CAB PLUS VEHICLES ONLY.SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO DIAGNOSE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS.FORD AND MAZDA ISSUED THE TSB'S TO AID TECHNICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPAIR OF THE WIRE CHAFE CONDITION.OF ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR BRAKE LAMP FAILURE, FORD IDENTIFIED ONLY 120 THAT WERE RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. THE TSB'S AFFECTED THE FORD SUPER CAB AND MAZDA CAB PLUS VEHICLES ONLY.SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO DIAGNOSE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS.FORD AND MAZDA ISSUED THE TSB'S TO AID TECHNICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPAIR OF THE WIRE CHAFE CONDITION.OF ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR BRAKE LAMP FAILURE, FORD IDENTIFIED ONLY 120 THAT WERE RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.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 NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.