THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
Safety risk
IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system: ignition
4
—
Electrical system: ignition: module
3
—
Electrical system: ignition: switch
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
3
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
2
—
Seat belts: front: anchorage
2
—
Unknown or other
2
—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
1
—
Electrical system: wiring
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
—
Equipment
1
68,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
—
Interior lighting
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
The 1983 model has 7 times as many complaints as this one. The 1985 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.