MERCURY BOBCAT 1978: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 78V047000

Make Model Year
MERCURY BOBCAT 1978
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1978-04-07 1978-03-08 1979-10-12

Production Dates: 1977-09-01 - 1977-09-01

Manufacturers Involved: Ford Motor Company

Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 1956

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Regulation Part Number: 571

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: 208

Summary

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INADEQUATELY RESTRAINED PASSENGERS COULD BE SERIOUSLYINJURED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.