THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Safety risk
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THAT LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
191
Reported to NHTSA
1987-06-15
Owners notified
1987-05-28
Defect description
INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A RATTLE BETWEEN THE FUELFILLER PIPE AND THE SURROUNDING BODY STRUCTURE.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE INCORRECT SCREWS WITH NEW BOLT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Seat belts: front: retractor
5
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
3
—
Power train: axle assembly
2
—
Vehicle speed control
2
—
Electrical system: ignition: switch
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
—
Power train
1
—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Seat belts: front: webbing
1
—
Seats: front assembly: recliner
1
—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Wheels
1
—
The 1989 model has roughly the same number of 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.