Seat belt Issue On 2000 Ford Windstar?

Hello all! I was driving today and had to stop hard because of an idiot driver. My wife almost hit her face on the dashboard! I pulled over to check the seat belt and the lock mechanism doesn't work! Does ford warranty safety items such as the seat belt for life? Also i checked all the seat belts and found that rear belts are not working as well! I always drive my family in this vehicle. I'm very worried about the safety of the van now.|||You have every right to be concerned for you and your families safety.


I think I can help you.


I am sure that Both Ford and NHTSA will back you up too!





You will have to take the van to your local Ford Certified Service Center





You may print the following documents to help the service advisor determine how best to help you.





The Ford warranty for safety equipment on your vehicle was only 5 years or 50 thousand miles ..


see this warranty booklet from Ford


(page 6)


http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/co鈥?/a>


please download the entire booklet and print it if you wish.


The warranty booklet gives you all the pertinent contact information for Ford and For NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration)





HOWEVER%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;


Yes! there was a recall.


Here is a copy of the document from NHTSA's website:





Make: FORD Model: WINDSTAR


Model Year: 2000


Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: AUG 11, 2000


NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 00V228001 N/A


NHTSA Action Number: N/A


Component: SEAT BELTS


Potential Number of Units Affected: 144435


Summary:


VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."


Consequence:


IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.


Remedy:


DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. 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 FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.


Notes:


ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


___________________________________


You can try to print the document as well:





http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/rec鈥?/a> Recalls%26amp;prod_id=83297%26amp;PrintVersion=YES





I'm not sure if the above^ link will work for you .. sorry if it doesn't. The site isn't very easy to navigate either but I will link it in the source area as well.|||There is a recall on some of the vehicles, where a call to Ford or a visit to Ford's website can help





http://www.flmowner.com/servlet/ContentS鈥?/a> is the site and a input of the 17 digit vin number found on your registration will let you know if any recalls are open.





However by your description the belt stayed attached, the piece that locks it however didn't hold. Meaning a new seat belt and as others have said, Ford's warranty is only 5 year 50,000 miles for that year|||I had the same issue but with my 2004 mustang. The backseat and driver belt were not working so i went to the dealer and they had them replaced...they have to take out the whole belt and mechanism. Its about a 2-3 hour job.





They should just replace them, just dont tell them about the hard braking you did just tell them that you bought the car there and that you find it ridiculous that such a integral safety feature would fail and if they can replace it. because if you get into a wreck and die and they find the seat belt faulty they could potential;ly be held liable for your death.|||Yes there was a recall on the buckles, check with your local dealer and have your 17 digit VIN handy to see if yours is under it.|||yeah there was a big recall with ford seat belts in that year, i had to get get mine removed and replaced