VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Safety risk
THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. 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 1-800-392-3673.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. 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 1-800-392-3673.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
30
40,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
10
61,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
3
8,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
3
—
Air bags
2
—
Seat belts
2
90,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
2
—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar
2
85,000 mi
Electrical system
1
76,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
45,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
1
40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
1
30,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
—
Equipment
1
28,304 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
77,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission
1
—
Seat belts: front
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Seat belts: rear/other
1
—
Seats
1
33,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner
1
67,702 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
1
8,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly
1
81,544 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
1
31,452 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
28,304 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings
1
—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
1
—
Structure
1
—
Structure: body
1
—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments
1
33,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
1
—
Structure: frame and members
1
—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut
1
—
Suspension: rear
1
—
Unknown or other
1
—
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor
1
33,000 mi
The 1999 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.
