The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE/LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS COULD UNLATCH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE/LATCH ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 19, 2003. 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 SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 2003 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 2003 | 189 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2003
17 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the seat belts; SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. filed 75 campaigns in all.
| 03V534000 19 Dec 2003 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 03V515000 15 Dec 2003 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 03V506000 9 Dec 2003 | STARCRAFT BUS AND MOBILITY |
| 03V507000 5 Dec 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V391000 10 Oct 2003 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 03V362000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V365000 3 Oct 2003 | GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. |
| 03V333000 8 Sept 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003