The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST.
The risk
THE EDGE OF THE RECLINER MECHANISM CAUSED A PARTIAL CUT IN THE LAP PORTION OF THE WEBBING. IF THE WEBBING IS CUT, IT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSERT BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT LOWER TRIM PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 21, 2002. 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 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Thunderbird | 2002 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
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 Thunderbird | 2002 | 93 | 1 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2002
23 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the seat belts; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 02V160008 21 Nov 2002 | XPLORER MTR HM/FRANK DIV. |
| 02V290000 5 Nov 2002 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V160009 31 Oct 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V160006 29 Oct 2002 | CHAMPION BUS, INC. |
| 02V160005 22 Oct 2002 | DODGEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V160007 21 Oct 2002 | NATIONAL VAN SALES, INC. |
| 02V160004 18 Oct 2002 | ELDORADO NATIONAL |
| 02V160003 16 Oct 2002 | COACH AND EQUIPMENT MFG CORP |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002