Seat tracks

An NHTSA Engineering Analysis into Ford vehicles. Closed 16 November 1989.

Investigation
EA87023
Type
Engineering Analysis
Opened
24 September 1987
Closed
16 November 1989

What NHTSA investigated

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.

The recall that followed

  1. Ford — Seats89V17000013 October 19891,375,500 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
FordESCORT1985–1986
MercuryLYNX1985–1986

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.