Seat beltsRecall 83V-013 · Ford and Mercury vehicles
FORD MOTOR COMPANY recall 83V-013 covers 245,000 Ford and Mercury vehicles for a seat belts problem, reported to NHTSA on February 17, 1983.
Source: NHTSA recall 83V013000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
THE PORTION OF THE ROOF ABOVE FRAME (RAIL) TO WHICH THE SHOULDER BELT IS ANCHORED MAY HAVE A SLOT THAT CAN COMPROMISE THE STRENGTH OF THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR UNDER CERTAIN SEVERE LOADS. (THE SUSPECT AREA IS NOT VISIBLE.) CONSEQUENTLY, SOME VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL MAY NOT MEET THE 3000 POUND ANCHORAGE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
The fix
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE ROOF RAIL INNER PANEL SURROUNDING THE DRAINAGE HOLE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES; STATION WAGON MODELS ONLY.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; FRONT UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT (SHOULDER BELT)ANCHORAGE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN VERY SEVERE FRONT END COLLISIONS, THE PROTECTIONAFFORDED FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY BE REDUCED.NOTE: THIS RECALL SHOULD IN NO WAY DISCOURAGE THE USE OF THE BELTS PRIOR TOHAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from August 1, 1980 to June 1, 1982. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.