THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SEAT ASSEMBLIES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE DEFECTIVE HOUSING PLATES MAY DISTORT, ALLOWING THE LOCKING TEETH TO DISENGAGE AND TEAR OFF. THIS PERMITS THE SEATBACK TO PIVOT BACKWARDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA85016 · Floor Pan Cracks

Opened Feb 22, 1985 · Closed Apr 14, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

SUMMARY:FORD RECOGNIZES THE FLOOR PAN CRACKING PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED4 SERVICE BULLETINS PERTAINING TO REPAIR. THE LATEST ONE WAS ISSUED ONSEPTEMBER 11, 1986. HOWEVER, FORD DOES NOT BELIEVE THE FLOOR PAN PROBLEMREPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: FLOOR PAN CRACKING CAUSES THE DRIVER TO ROCK IN HIS SEAT.ALTHOUGH THIS IS VERY ANNOYING, IT APPEARS TO BE MORE OF AN ECONOMIC ISSUETHAN A SAFETY ISSUE. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.STATUS: THIS EA WAS CLOSED ON MAY 14, 1987.===

DP85009 · Failure Of Seat Back Securing Bolts

Opened Jan 29, 1985 · Closed Feb 27, 1985

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS

EA83013 · Front Seatback Failure

Opened Mar 23, 1983 · Closed Jan 26, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

STATUS: DISCUSSING WITH CANADA.===