AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION

Mar 08, 1988 — Recall Campaign #88V028000

AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 21,200 units affected.

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

88V028000

Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Recall date:	March 08, 1988
NHTSA Campaign #:	88V028000
Units affected:	21,200

Description:: AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Consequeces:: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Corrective action:: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
Notes:: SYSTEM: SEAT BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL DUAL FACING REARSEATS.

Affects the following:

1988 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Complaints
I RAN OVER A PIECE OF STRUCTURAL STEEL ON THE FREEWAY AND WRECKED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WHEEL. I FOUND THAT I COULD NOT REMOVE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS USING THE LUG WRENCH FURNISHED WITH THE CAR. I SUCCEEDED IN CHANGING THE TIRE BY USING THE BREAKER BAR INCLUDED WITH MY HALF INCH DRIVE SOCKET SET THAT I HAPPENED TO HAVE IN THE TRUNK. TWENTY YEARS LATER FORD WAS STILL FURNISHING WITH THEIR CARS SHORT ARM (EFFECTIVE LENGTH ABOUT 9 INCHES) LUG WRENCHES THAT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE USED TO CHANGE A TIRE. *TR;
1988 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS Complaints
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 94 IN CHICAGO, I ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR. THE ACCELERATION DEVICE WITHIN THE ENGINE, NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT IT INCREASED SPEED. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR WITH LITTLE RESPONSE. I GOT ON THE EXIT RAMP AND WITH 2 FEET ON THE BRAKES, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. WE REAR ENDED A WOMAN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WE PUT THE BUMPER OF HER JEEP INTO HER BACK SEAT, THEN VEERED OFF HER CAR AND SMASHED INTO A CEMENT RETAINING WALL. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR. ALTHOUGH NONE OF US WERE ABLE TO STAND AND WALK AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT, OUR INJURIES INCLUDE SOFT TISSUE AND MUSCLE DAMAGE. WE ALL SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AND RECEIVED MORPHINE FOR THE EXTREME PAIN WE WERE IN. I WANT TO FILE SUIT AGAINST FORD, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND A LAWYER WHO WILL TAKE THE CASE. I WILL FILE ON MY OWN BEHALF. PAIN, SUFFERING AND OVER $50,000 HOSPITAL AND VEHICLE DAMAGE IS NOW ON MY RECORD BECAUSE OF THIS MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *NM;