Ford Escape: Buckle assembly

Date

Dec. 5, 2003

Filed by

Ford Motor Company

Vehicles

Ford Escape (2001)

Component

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly

Description of the defect

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.

Potentially affected

132243

What can happen

In The event of a crash, The Seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing The risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Recall notes

Ford recall no. 03S10.CUSTOMERS Can also contact The National Highway traffic Safety administration's Auto Safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Owner notification date

Feb. 2, 2004

Manufacturer campaign number

03S10

Recall type

V (vehicle)

Influenced by

ODI

Recall number

03V507000

What should I do? Car recall: how to check your car and get it fixed

Source: NHTSA · Vehicle record. View the agency notice. The agency notice governs; check it and the company before acting.