DEARBORN, Mich., July 13, 2001 - Ford Motor Company is announcing a voluntary safety recall of 1.4 million model year 2001 cars and trucks to inspect the front driver-side and front passenger-side seat belt buckles. The front center and all rear seating position seat belt buckles are not affected.

Due to outside supplier manufacturing issues, a small percentage of these seat belt buckles may not latch properly if insufficient force is applied when inserting the tongue into the buckle. If the seat belt release button does not return to its full up position upon latching, the buckle may not be fully latched.

"We estimate a defect rate among the recall population of less than five percent," said Ann O'Neill, director, vehicle service and programs, Ford Customer Service Division. "But even if a vehicle was to have a defective buckle, the potential for any safety issue is extremely small. Our testing indicates that even among defective buckles, customers can help assure a proper latching of their seat belt if they push the tongue quickly and forcefully into the buckle, and then pull on it to help ensure the seat belt is securely latched.