| NHTSA Campaign Number: |
03V507000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: |
FORD |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: |
ESCAPE |
| Model Year: |
2001 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: |
03S10 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: |
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: |
FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Manufacturered: |
19991022 - 20010531 |
| Type of Report: |
V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: |
132243 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: |
20040202 |
| Recall Initiated By: |
20040202 |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: |
FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Report Received Date: |
20031205 |
| Record Creation Date: |
20031211 |
| Regulation Part Number: |
|
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: |
|
| Defect Summary: |
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A POST WITHIN THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE COVERS COULD FRACTURE, WHICH COULD AFFECT LATCH FUNCTION, RESULTING IN EITHER A “NO LATCH” OR “PARTIAL LATCH” CONDITION. IN THE “PARTIAL LATCH” CONDITION, THE BUCKLE TONGUE CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE AND APPEAR TO BE ENGAGED, BUT WILL RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT THE PUSH BUTTON BEING DEPRESSED WHEN A RELATIVELY LOW LOAD IS APPLIED, SUCH AS WHEN AN OCCUPANT MOVES SLIGHTLY IN THE SEAT. |
| Consequence Summary: |
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. |
| Corrective Summary: |
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE COVER REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SERVICE BUCKLE COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. |
