Vehicle recall 78V047000 · March 8, 1978
Mercury Bobcat, Ford Mustang and 1 more model
The automatic locking rear seat belt retractors on certain vehicles may fail to lock due to binding of the locking pawl against the retractor housing.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The automatic locking rear seat belt retractors on certain vehicles may fail to lock due to binding of the locking pawl against the retractor housing. This binding is caused by retractor housing deformation which occurred during assembly. As a result the passengers would be restrained only by the fully extended belt. This fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection".
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear seat belt assemblies free of charge.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: interior; rear seat belt retractors.consequences of defect: inadequately restrained passengers could be seriouslyinjured in the event of an accident.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 78V047000
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 8, 1978
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- April 7, 1978
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 1,956
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Mustang (1978): 1978
- Ford Pinto (1978): 1978
- Mercury Bobcat (1978): 1978
Has your Ford been repaired?
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NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.