Investigations
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE96030 - closed, opened 1996-04-18 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation PE96030 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1996-04-18 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD FORD, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1996-08-30 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE96030 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI'S DATABASE CONTAINS ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGING THE CENTER FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FLOOR. FORD SUBMITTED 28 ADDITIONAL FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS ALLEGING THAT A SEAT BELT WAS NOT BOLTED TO T..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI'S DATABASE CONTAINS ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGING THE CENTER FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FLOOR. FORD SUBMITTED 28 ADDITIONAL FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS ALLEGING THAT A SEAT BELT WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FLOOR, NOT ATTACHED, NOT HOOKED UP, OR THE OWNER COMPLAINTED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS LOOSE. THE CAUSES HAVE INCLUDED A MISSING BOLT, MISSING NUT, BOLT HOLE NOT THREADED, WELD NUT MISSING, OR BOLT NOT COMPLETELY TIGHTENED INTO MOUNTING HOLE. FORD STATES THAT FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE NON-ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE INCLUDE "IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF OR MISSING COMPONENTS." FORD HAS MADE NO MODIFICATIONS OR CHANGES TO THE INSTALLATION PROCEDURES OF THE SEAT BELTS AT THE FACTORY. HOWEVER, FORD STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT "HAS ADDED A REDUNDANT INSPECTION FOR THIS ALLEGED CONDITION." OVER 95% OF THE VEHICLES INVOLVED WERE BUILT ON OR BEFORE MAY 1, 1996 AND OVER 80% OF THE VEHICLES INVOLVED WERE BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH OR 1996. THE ALLEGED CONDITIONS HAVE OCCURRED IN ALL POTENTIAL SEATING POSITIONS IN THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS IN BOTH THE REGULAR AND SUPER CAB MODELS. FORD BELIEVES THAT THERE IS "NO INDICATION OF A PATTERN WITH REGARD TO ANY PARTICULAR BELT LOCATION." ODI IS UPGRADIG THIS INVESTIGATION TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORTS GATHERED TO DATE AND TO ASSESS THE IMPACT THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.