The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud May have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment May have resulted in cracks developing in the stud.
The risk
If the stud is cracked, in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-198 (98V198000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Seat belts › Front › Anchorage |
| Report date | August 25, 1998 |
| Owners notified | September 4, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 7,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-198 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 7,000 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.