VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. 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 1-800-392-3673.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Safety risk
IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.
Safety risk
THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE MAY BELIEVE THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT WAS NOT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Structure
17
32,800 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
8
50,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
5
84,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
5
62,000 mi
Unknown or other
4
63,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
3
15,873 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
3
69,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
3
26,648 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
—
Fuel system, other
2
47,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
2
42,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
2
—
Vehicle speed control: linkages
2
—
Air bags
1
—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
80,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
1
53,529 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
88,081 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
1
103,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 41 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.
