NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA87023
Engineering Analysis · Ford Motor Company · SEATS
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
SEAT TRACKS
SUMMARY: A FRACTURED FRONT SEAT TRACK RECEIVED FROM AN ESCORT OWNER SHOWSTHAT METAL FATIGUE OCCURRED WHICH COULD CAUSE PARTIAL MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT.ANOTHER OWNER SENT PICTURES SHOWING FRACTURE AT THE SAME LOCATION. TENOF THE EIGHTEEN ODI COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS.MANUFACTURER INFORMATION: FORD MADE TWO SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS TO THESEAT TRACK; ONE INCORPORATED A DOUBLE LATCH SYSTEM, LOCKING BOTH THE IN-BOARD AND OUTBOARD TRACK ASSEMBLIES, AND THE OTHER ADDED WEB DEPTH IN THEFRONT AND REAR OF THE SEAT TRACK.FORD PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 1,741 WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING SEAT TRACKFAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THEY BELIEVE THAT FRACTURE OF THE SEAT TRACK CAUSES A LIMITED ROCKINGMOTION AND IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM.PROPOSED ACTION: IR TO FORD SENT 10/9/87.TEST REQUEST SENT TO ETF10/21/87.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- EA87023
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- SEATS
- Opened
- Sep 24, 1987
- Closed
- Nov 16, 1989
- Associated recall campaign
- 89V170000
Vehicles named in this investigation
4 model years across 2 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.