# NHTSA recall 95V103011

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 95V103011
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Reported: 1995\-06\-27
- Owners notified: 1996\-04\-24
- Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Units potentially affected: 265000

## What is wrong

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.


## What can happen

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.


## The 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 this campaign lists

- [1988 FORD FESTIVA](/makes/ford/festiva/1988/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- [1989 FORD FESTIVA](/makes/ford/festiva/1989/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- [1990 FORD FESTIVA](/makes/ford/festiva/1990/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- [1991 FORD FESTIVA](/makes/ford/festiva/1991/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- 1987 MERCURY TRACER. Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- [1988 MERCURY TRACER](/makes/mercury/tracer/1988/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.
- [1989 MERCURY TRACER](/makes/mercury/tracer/1989/recalls.md). Built 1987\-09\-01 to 1991\-07\-01.

## Investigated as PE94093 and PE95013

This recall followed 2 NHTSA investigations. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE94093: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1994\-12\-21, closed 1995\-08\-02. TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL. SEAT BELTS.
- PE95013: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1995\-02\-23, closed 1995\-07\-28. SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/95V103011/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/95V103011/investigations)

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/95V103011](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/95V103011)

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