NHTSA Complaint #10142641 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING WRITTEN TO INFORM NHTSA ABOUT A POTENTIAL FAILURE I BELIEVE THAT MY 2001 FORD FOCUS 4 DOOR HAS LINGERING ABOUT IN IT. THE POTENTIAL FAILURE IS THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM (THE PART YOUR REAR END SITS ON) DOES NOT CATCH ON THE THREE LIP EDGES ATTACHED TO THE CAR BODY. THE METAL BASE OF THE BACK SEAT BOTTOM HAS THREE HOLES, ONE ON EACH SIDE AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE. THEY CORRESPOND TO THE LIP EDGES FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT CATCH ON. I SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BACK SEAT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED CONTAINING ALL THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURES AVAILABLE. WINDOW LOCKS, DOOR LOCKS, INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE AND THE SAFETY SEAT LATCH SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES UNLESS IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN THEY SHOULD SLIDE FORWARD AND CATCH, AND THAT IS ONLY IF SOMEONE IS BUCKLED DOWN TO THE SEAT. WELL, NOW I HAVE AN INFANT DAUGHTER TO TRAVEL AROUND WITH IN MY BACK SEAT. THE GENERAL MANAGER GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM A FORD CONTACT AS I DID FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, SHOULD MY CAR BE HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE BACK SEAT IS EMPTY AND THE QUESTION IS DOES IT CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES OR NOT. I FEAR THAT IT WILL FLY FORWARD SLAMMING THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND CRUSH OR PUSH ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OR THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE MAIN CONCERN I HAVE IS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD. I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT SHOULD CATCH ON THE LIP EDGES AT ALL TIMES AND NOT JUST IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD TOLD THE GM THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF IT BEING A PROBLEM NOR DID IT EVER OCCUR IN A CRASH TEST. I TOLD THE GM TO GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING SHOULD AN ACCIDENT EVER HAPPEN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FROM THIS POINT. PLEASE ADVISE IF NECESSARY. *NM