NHTSA Campaign 95V103008

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Issued by AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. · Reported May 24, 1995 · 127,155 vehicles affected

What's wrong

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
SUZUKI SAMURAI 1988 127,155
SUZUKI SAMURAI 1989 127,155
SUZUKI SAMURAI 1990 127,155
SUZUKI SAMURAI 1991 127,155
SUZUKI SIDEKICK 1989 127,155
SUZUKI SIDEKICK 1990 127,155
SUZUKI SIDEKICK 1991 127,155
SUZUKI SWIFT 1989 127,155
SUZUKI SWIFT 1990 127,155
SUZUKI SWIFT 1991 127,155

Source: NHTSA Campaign 95V103008 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.