The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TONGUE MAY NOT FULLY EJECT FROM THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PUSHED SLOWLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO RESULT IN A PARTIAL LATCH OF THE TONGUE IN THE BUCKLE.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. 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:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the seat belts; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 01V386000 18 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V380000 13 Dec 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V351000 26 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V345000 6 Nov 2001 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V337000 18 Oct 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V166002 14 Aug 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V227002 6 Aug 2001 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 01V227001 16 Jul 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001