Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | ||||||
| EA02011 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/02/2002 | 05/21/2003 | SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE | ||
| Odi received 18 consumer complaints and ford identified another four reports associated with the alleged defect.most of the complaints indicate inability to latch the driver seat belt buckle caused by a broken latch release spring.none of these 22 reports resulted in any injuries or crashes.no complaints have been received in the past 6 months.ford conducted life-cycle testing on 6 field sample buckle assemblies.the results of that testing demonstrated that the tested buckle assemblies could be expected to operate properly beyond the expected life of the vehicle.based on the limited number of reports and complaints received, and a declining complaint trend, this investigation is closed.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 exist does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see additional information | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | |||
| 04/12/2008 | 1 | ||
| The driver side seat belt is difficult to latch and intermittently and without warning can disengage while operating the vehicle. *tr | |||
| 12/02/2002 | 1 | ||
| The consumer did dome research on recalls regarding his ford ranger and came across a recall regarding the seat belts but was not sure if the description matched the problem he was having. the consumer also stated the nhtsa websie did not his model vehicle listed. *jb | |||
| 11/28/1999 | 10/01/1996 | ||
| Windshield wipers -- beginning summer 1998 i experienced problem with my windshield wiper, dome light, and door chime coming on intermittently. in december 1998 the wipers stopped working so i brought the vehicle to maguire ford for repair. the wiper motor was replaced (obviously this intermittent on/off cycle burnt it out), as was a switch for the door. the features were trouble free (though the dome light still has problems) until 5/10/2000. on that day i started the vehicle during a rain storm, and the wipers would not work. i brought the vehicle back to maguire ford for repair. i was told the vehicle had been repaired, but when i started it the wipers still would not work. the vehicle is still in the shop and requires a part (costing ~$150). the mechanics at ford kept referring to intermittent wiper problems on other ford's, prompting me to check the car talk web site, which had a link to the nhtsa site. on this site i saw that many others have been having similar wiper/door chime/dome light problems. while on this site i noticed numerous instances where people had problems with their abs systems. on 11/28/99 while driving on i-81 just north of binghamton, ny i had a frightening experience with my brakes. a car cut closely in front of me, prompting me to apply my brakes with force, in order to prevent a collision. the brake on the front right-hand side lock, causing the truck to jerk to the right. i surprisingly was able to maintain control of the truck, but after another 30 miles of driving i began noticing a grinding sound in the area of the front right brake. i took the truck to midas and was told the the caliper on the front right brake broke and that something (the brake?) had seized. i paid for repairs and dismissed this incident until reading on the car talk - nhtsa link that many other have experienced a similar events with their brakes. the problem, it seems, is worthy of a recall. thanks for your help. *ak | |||
| 03/13/1996 | 1 | 09/01/1995 | |
| Vehicle rollover accident,automatic seat belt did not hold,resulting in a fatal loss. *ak | |||
| 03/13/1996 | |||
| Vehicle rollover accident,automatic seat belt did not hold,resulting in a fatal loss. please describe. *ak | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - ANCHORAGE | |||
| 05/01/2000 | 1 | 01/01/2000 | |
| Seat belt latch failure. button spring broken and belt tongue will not disengage latch. dt | |||
| 01/01/1998 | 04/01/1995 | ||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 04/27/2004 | 94000 | 1 | 08/19/1996 |
| Driver's seat belt buckle mechanism failed to the point that consumer had to cut the seat belt to get out of the vehicle. dealer was very cooperative, but the manufacturer indicated that the warranty expired, and they could not replace the seat belt. consumer posed a question, since it was a safety item could the government force the manufacturer to extend parts warranty? *ak *nm | |||
| 02/06/2004 | 89000 | 2 | |
| While driving seat belt latch would not stay buckled. consumer would be unable to wear the seat belt correctly. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that drivers seat belt wont unlatch. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 05/01/2002 | 4 | ||
| The front dirver and passenger seat belts release from the buckle involuntarily. the seat belt has unlatched as much as 4 times in one day. the dealer has not been notified. *jb dealer was notified. consumer was informed that there were no problems with the belts in that year and model, and that the belts were only under warantee for five years and consumer was over that. *jg | |||
| 06/01/2001 | 03/01/1995 | ||
| I have always worn the drivers side safety belt while driving this vehicle. last week, the safety belt started unlatching while i was driving. i make sure that it is latched properly before starting, but as i am driving down the road it will unlatch. it feels like a spring at the unlatch button has become week. *ak | |||
| 06/08/1995 | 1 | ||
| Driver's side seat belt failure, seat belt unlatched by itself, causing driver to be ejected from the vehicle. tt | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - RETRACTOR | |||
| 12/29/2000 | 50 | 04/01/1996 | |
| Seat belt material is soft and belt fails to retract and gets caught in car door with possible belt failure in a crash. *ak | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES | |||
| 01/01/1997 | 15 | ||
| Windshield wipers are working intermittently and sometimes the wipers won't work at all. turn off without turning off engine. also dome light remained on, seat belt warning light not turning off for some time unless vehicle is turned off. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1997 | 1 | 05/01/1995 | |
| Consumer is experiencing problem with the seat belt chime/indicator light, they continue to remain on as long as the vehicle is on. also the dome light remains on. dealer notified and will not take the responsibility to inspect or repair with out cost to the consumer. *ak *slc | |||
| SEAT BELTS - REAR | |||
| 03/25/1996 | 1 | ||
| In a collision, son was buckled in jumped in seat and seat belt ripped in half. *ak | |||