Recall 02E034000: Seat Belts, Front, Buckle Assembly
NHTSA recall 02E034000 · announced July 10, 2002 · Amsafe · 51,137 units affected
The problem
ON AMSAFE CP TRAVELING RETRACTOR LAP (TYPE 1) SEAT BELTS, THE PLASTIC COVER HOUSING THE RESERVE END OF THE SEAT BELT WEB CAN BREAK. IF THE TWO HALVES OF THE COVER COMPLETELY SEPARATE, THE CONNECTOR PORTION OF THE BELT WILL DETACH FROM THE COVER. ONCE DETACHED, THE CONNECTOR RIVET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR FRAME CAUSING THE FRAME TO BECOME UNUSABLE.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CANNOT OCCUR DURING USE, HOWEVER, THE BELT WILL BE UNSUABLE AND MAY RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT SEATING POSITION WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN UNBELTED INDIVIDUAL COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
What to do
AMSAFE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.
Official NHTSA recall notice →
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.