NHTSA Complaint #10497081 — 2001 FORD RANGER

2001 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRE MOUNT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FULL SIZED SPARE TIRE ON THE TRUCK, WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE CARGO BED. IT WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY A STRANDED STEEL CABLE, ONE END OF WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO A SWAGED STEEL FITTING WHICH WENT THROUGH THE CENTRAL HOLE OF THE SPARE, THE OTHER END TO A WINCH WHICH LOWERED AND RAISED THE SPARE. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP AND SAW THE SPARE TIRE HAD FALLEN OUT OF ITS STORAGE PLACE AND WAS SITTING IN THE ROADWAY BEHIND HIM. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE MECHANISM, HE FOUND THE SWAGED JOINT BETWEEN THE STEEL FITTING AND THE CABLE HAD CORRODED AND FAILED. FORTUNATELY, WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE.