The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk
AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercury Villager | 1999 |
Components: SEATS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Villager | 1999 | 185 | 4 |
Other seats recalls in 1999
14 of the 392 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1999 concerned the seats; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 99V298000 27 Oct 1999 | MID BUS INCORPORATED |
| 99V252000 17 Sept 1999 | AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP. |
| 99V246000 13 Sept 1999 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 99V212000 6 Aug 1999 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 99V175000 2 Jul 1999 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 99V173000 2 Jul 1999 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 99V018000 15 Jun 1999 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 99V139000 4 Jun 1999 | ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1999