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NHTSA Recall 95V103011: Buckle assembly (seat belts)

FORD MOTOR COMPANY reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 265,000 vehicles. It affects 2 models including the Ford Festiva.

265,000
vehicles potentially affected
2
models affected
1996
owners notified (April 24)
NHTSA campaign95V103011
ComponentSEAT BELTS › FRONT › BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Report receivedJune 27, 1995
Owner notificationApril 24, 1996
Initiated byNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

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.

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.

Notes

System: interior; seat belts; belt buckles.vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with safety belts made by takata corporation.note: the 1987 through 1989 4-door mercury tracers involved in this recallcampaign were only sold in canada. No tracers sold in the united states are involved.note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Vehicles covered by recall 95V103011

Make and modelModel years
Ford Festiva1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
Mercury Tracer1987, 1988, 1989

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.