Ford Festiva: Seats and Restraints

Affects Ford Festiva · 1988–1991 — about 20K vehicles.

The hazard

DEFECT: THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

What to do

Contact your dealer; the remedy details were not included in the filing.

Critical — crash/injury risk now High — injury risk; see remedy Moderate — fix at next service Low — minor / informational