The problem
Vehicle description: Mini vans. These vehicles May have the plastic trim cover around the base of the front seat safety belt buckle trapped between the shoulder of the restraint anchorage bolt and the seat pedestal. This could eventually allow the seat belt buckle bolt to loosen.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the occupant seated in that location May not be adequately restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle assembly attachment. Some belt buckle assemblies May require replacement.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V338001 (00V338001) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 00S36 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly |
| Report date | October 26, 2000 |
| Owners notified | November 15, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,500 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V338001 repair free?
Yes. Mercury dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the seat belt buckle assembly attachment. Some belt buckle assemblies May require replacement.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,500 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.