Air Bag On-off Switch problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The current mileage was 88000 and the failure mileage was 75000. The contact stated that the wire running to the airbag on & off switch kept blowing the fuse every time the gears were switched. This wire is also connected to the heater. The contact repaired the vehicle himself. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact stated that someone was driving this vehicle and had an accident. The seat belt on the driver's side did not hold the contact back, and hit the steering wheel. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy until after driver hit steering wheel. He said the fuel safety cut off switch did not work because he could start the vehicle without hitting the circuit breaker. The contact was going about 35 mph, slid into a car at a green light. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet. The contact was injured. The police came and a report was taken. Vehicle was totaled. Updated 11/29/2005 - the seat belt did not properly restrain the consumer resulting in multiple breast contusions. The air bag deployed after the consumer's head had already hit the steering wheel.

2001 Ford Ranger. There is an air bag on and off switch that came with the truck. It malfunction, and the dealer wanted to charge $400. 00 to check the wiring. The part will then be ordered by Ford. Consumer wanted to know it there were any recalls. Was told no recall. The air bag indicator light was blinking, and the owners manual said to call the dealership. Consumer called dealership, and that was when they said it would cost to have it checked. The service department said that he had seen at least 4 or 5 other vehicles with this same problem. Called manufacturer, and they were aware of the other vehicles that had the same problems.