Festiva L4-81 1.3L SOHC (1988)
2.
Remove seat belt buckle assembly retaining bolts and washers. Disconnect the seat belt chime electrical connector (drivers side), then remove
assembly. Also remove spacers located under buckle assembly bracket at the floor. Mutilate and scrap removed buckle assembly and fasteners.
See Figures 12 and 13.
3.
Position new buckle assembly in vehicle. New mounting hardware should be held in place on the buckle assembly by fiber washers. If not, install
retaining bolts, washers and spacers. Ensure the washers are under the bolt heads, and the spacers are located between the mounting leg and the
body attaching point. Connect seat belt chime electrical connector (drivers' side only). Tighten retaining bolts to 38-78 Nm (28-58 ft-lb).
4.
Fold back and position carpet over front seat belt buckle bolts.
5.
Release vehicle. Do Not install buckle protective guides over new buckles.
Dealer Letter
April, 1996
To:
All Ford Dealers
Subject:
Safety Recall 95S16 - Takata Front Seat Belt Buckles
Affected Vehicles
1988-1991 Model Year Festiva
Reasons For Recall
Portions of the plastic release button on the affected front seat belt buckle assemblies can break off and become lodged inside the buckle assembly, either
causing the buckle to fail to latch properly, or fail to unlatch when the button is pressed.
To correct this condition, the front seat belt buckle release buttons on the affected vehicles will be inspected. Buckles with certain date codes will be
fitted with a protective guide; if either or both release buttons are cracked, broken or do not operate properly, both buckle assemblies will be replaced.
Warranty Extension
Affected vehicle owners will be advised that, in addition to the service provided by this recall, Ford will provide a warranty on front seat belt buckles
manufactured by Takata Corporation. This warranty will be for the remaining useful life of an affected vehicle. See Attachment II for administrative
procedures.
Note
1988 and 1989 model year Tracer (4 Door Hatchback) units originally sold in Canada are also affected. If one of these units is brought to a U.S.
dealership for service and is identified in OASIS as being subject to this recall, call 1-800-325-5621 for repair instructions.
Questions?
Claims Information
1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Questions 1-800-325-5621
Attachments
Attachment I
