NHTSA Complaint #10617498 — 2009 FORD E-350

THIS IS A 2009 15 PASSENGER CHURCH VAN WITH 17000 MILES. THE VAN IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND MAINTAINED INSIDE AND OUT. THE VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED. IT WAS DISCOVERED DURING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION THAT THE RIGHT SIDE, 3RD ROW PASSENGER SEATBELT THAT SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE (ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S SHOULDER) WAS DISCONNECTED. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE THREADING OF THE BOLT AND THE THREADING TO THE CORRESPONDING NUT WELDED TO THE FRAME WAS STRIPPED SMOOTH. THERE WAS NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO THE AREA SURROUNDING THE STRIPPED PARTS (I.E. DAMAGE TO INTERIOR MOLDING, FABRIC OR THE SEAT BELT WEBBING AND HARDWARE.) THE DAMAGE SEEN ON THE BOLT IS CONSISTENT WITH A BOLT THAT HAS BEEN OVER TORQUED OR CROSS THREADED. THIS IS CLEARLY SOMETHING THAT HAS OCCURRED IN MANUFACTURING. A FORD DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND HAS INSPECTED THIS AND CONCURS THAT THE BOLT WAS OVER TORQUED OR CROSS THREADED. *TR