The defect
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE INCORRECT SAFETY BELT AND/OR SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ENDS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
The risk
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF AN INCORRECT PART IS USED, THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FRONT AND REAR SAFETY BELT LATCH ENDS AND SAFETY BELT BUCKLES FOR CORRECT PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT PARTS.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Buick LeSabre | 1997 |
| Buick Park Avenue | 1996 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick LeSabre | 1997 | 394 | 2 |
| Buick Park Avenue | 1996 | 59 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 1996
22 of the 297 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1996 concerned the seat belts; GENERAL MOTORS CORP. filed 1,195 campaigns in all.
| 96V256000 27 Dec 1996 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 96V248001 12 Dec 1996 | ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED |
| 96V248002 12 Dec 1996 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 96V242000 27 Nov 1996 | ASTON MARTIN |
| 96V225000 5 Nov 1996 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 96V219000 4 Nov 1996 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 96V207000 18 Oct 1996 | FERRARI NORTH AMERICA |
| 96V185000 10 Oct 1996 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1996