FORD TO ADDRESS SEAT BELT CONCERN ON THUNDERBIRD



DEARBORN, Mich., June 14 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] announced today it will modify the lower seat trim of 16,500 2002 model Thunderbirds to eliminate the potential for the driver seat belt to contact the seat mechanism in the event of a severe frontal crash. Ford is taking this action because the driver seat belt was found to be partially cut after the vehicle was subjected to a 35 mph frontal impact test into a solid barrier. The test was part of the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


The seat belt did not fully separate and the driver test dummy was fully restrained throughout the test. The partial cut of the seat belt did not affect the test results.


Ford has not received any customer reports of this situation occurring. However, Ford is conducting this voluntary safety recall as part of our continuous improvement efforts. Ford will begin sending letters to customers next week with instructions on when to take their cars to dealerships. Customers will not be charged for the modification. Cars built after April 24, 2002, are not affected by this action.


Preliminary results from the frontal impact test indicate the Thunderbird received a four-star and five-star rating for the driver and passenger, respectively. A five-star rating is the highest possible score. The Thunderbird received a five-star rating during a previous NCAP test for side impacts.

received the following from another Ford customer:
Ford's contact with their dealers about the recall.

Tony, have heard a rumor about another recall regarding the emissions. Are you able to come up with any info on that?

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Love those 'birds. Find out more on The New T-bird

I'll check it out-but will be next week-GTT tomorrow morning!!:wavey:

Tony, found some more info on the emissions recall yesterday. It affects a much smaller number of Thunderbirds.
Affected:
2002 Thunderbirds built from February 13, 2002 thru April 19, 2002.
Reason: "In some of the affected vehicles, the left and right catalyst Monitor Sensor (CMS) connectors may have been reversed during supplier component assembly. As a result vehicle emissions may exceed Federal standards."
Customer notification:
"Owners of record will be notified beginning June 21, 2002"

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Love those 'birds. Find out more on The New T-bird