10 of the
536 complaints about the 1997 Ford Ranger are about the
seat belts — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
96,122 miles.
AIR BAGS.. DEFLATING, UNSERVICEABLE, DEMAND USELESS, ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE DISLODGED HORN FUEL/PROPULSION.. WITH FUEL TANK FILLED, FIRST HALF(1/2) TANK HAVING EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMED. SECOND (1/2) OF FUEL CONSUMED AT OWNERS MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS OF CITY AND HIGHWAY MILES PER GALLON. THROTTLE PEDAL STIFF, STICKS, AFTER NORMAL DAILY WARM UP, EXTRA FOOT PRESSURE NEEDED TO DISLODGE PEDAL AND CABLE, REAL SLUGGISH AS IF NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH FUEL TO INJECTORS, EVEN AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE COMPLETED.. SEAT BELTS.. DRIVERS SIDE HOOKUP RETAINING LATCH MALFUNCTIONS AND " WILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED", SEVERAL ATTEMPTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE GETTING A STRONG SEATBELT CLIP TO LATCH LOCKED ON
NHTSA complaint #10725116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,001 milesChico, CA
SEAT BELTS
UNDER HARD BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT DISENGAGED FROM THE BUCKLE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT "BUCKLING" WITH THE SEAT BELT FOR YEARS. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. COMPLAINTS OF A SPRING IS MISSING OR BROKEN, COINS ARE STUCK DOWN INSIDE THE MECHANISM, ETC. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN! I CAN ONLY WONDER HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED FROM SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. EVERY DAY I GET IN MY TRUCK I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE BELT BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO ENGAGE. SOMETIMES I JUST CHECK AFTER IT HAS ALREADY ENGAGED AND IT COMES LOOSE. THE DEALER SOLUTION IS TO PAY THEM FOR A "REPLACEMENT" ITEM, THE COST OF WHICH IS AROUND $250-300... I'LL BE PURCHASING A REPLACEMENT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT IS OF THE SAME DESIGN. I'M ASKING FOR HELP TO REMEDY A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10490400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 303,600 milesBuffalo Grove, IL
SEAT BELTS
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT, BUCKLE LATCH DID NOT LOCK FIRMLY. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LATCH WOULD DISENGAGE WITH A LIGHT TUG. THERE APPEAR TO BE BROKEN PARTS OR FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MECHANISM PREVENTING PROPER FUNCTION. DUE TO THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTION, THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DEFECT IS NOT READILY VISIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10238501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DISENGAGED ON A FREQUENT BASIS. THE CONTACT CHECKED FOR DEBRIS AND DIRT IN THE BUCKLE AND STATED THERE WAS NONE. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO BUY A NEW SEAT BELT, WHICH WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PRESSURE SPRING ASSEMBLT BECOMES WEAK OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 12/28/06.
NHTSA complaint #10174723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, SCCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE . UPON IMPACT, BOTH SEATBELTS FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURIES; BROKEN RIB/ NECK INJURY, CUTS, AND BRUISES. DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL WHILE PASSENGER HIT WINDSHIELD. FRONT IMPACT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #896352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS SEAT BELTS UNLOCK, LEAVING OCCUPANTS UNRESTRAINED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, KYCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 35MPH AND SIDE SWIPED A FENCE NEAR AN EMBANKMENT. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE , AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO LURCH SIDEWAYS. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #887731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayettevil, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONS. YH
NHTSA complaint #784562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayettevil, NC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONS. YH
NHTSA complaint #784562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA2 injured
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN CHILDREN FROM INJURIES . EVERY STOP OR TURN CAUSED CHILDREN TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS, CAUSING THEM TO CRASH AGAINST FRONT PASSENERS SEATS AND THEN BOUNCE OFF AND HIT REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #526946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.