The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH (ISO-FIX ANCHOR) FASTENERS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESIDUAL TORQUE. THE ANCHORS ARE SECURED TO THE FLOOR PAN WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE THAT HAS TWO STUDS THAT EXTEND UPWARD THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN AND THE ISO-FIX ANCHOR. THE SEALER ON THE FLOOR PAN COULD CAUSE A SOFT JOINT AND, EVEN IF THE NUTS ARE PROPERLY TORQUED, ROAD VIBRATIONS COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO WORK ITS WAY COMPLETELY OFF THE STUD.
The risk
THE ANCHOR MAY NOT HOLD THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND RE-INSTALL THE BRACKET NUT USING A TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL (RED LOCTITE). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 2001 |
| Mercury Sable | 2001 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 2001 | 1,037 | 9 |
| Mercury Sable | 2001 | 430 | 8 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2000
40 of the 541 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2000 concerned the seat belts; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 00V273009 28 Dec 2000 | HOME & PARK MOTORHOMES |
| 00V392000 21 Nov 2000 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 00V364000 13 Nov 2000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V097007 13 Nov 2000 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 00V368000 9 Nov 2000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 00V348000 30 Oct 2000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 00V352000 30 Oct 2000 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 00V347000 30 Oct 2000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2000