Safety Recall NHTSA · 03V515000 Reported December 15, 2003

Mazda/seat belt buckle cover

Mazda North American Operations · Seat Belts · 49,000 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
03V515000
Manufacturer Campaign
1503L
Component
Seat Belts
Vehicles Affected
49,000
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
December 15, 2003

Defect Summary

On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "no latch" or "partial latch" condition. in the "partial latch" condition, the buckle tongue can be inserted into the buckle and appear to be engaged, but will release from the buckle without the push button being depressed when a relatively low load is applied, such as when an occupant moves slightly in the seat.

Safety Consequence

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action

Dealers will have the driver and front passenger safety belt buckle cover removed and replaced with a newly designed service buckle cover. owner notification began february 5, 2004. owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Mazda North American Operations dealer and reference recall ID 03V515000 or campaign 1503L.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Mazda North American Operations or involving Seat Belts.

FAQ: Recall 03V515000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 03V515000?

NHTSA recall 03V515000 was issued by Mazda North American Operations on December 15, 2003. It addresses: Mazda/seat belt buckle cover. The recall affects approximately 49,000 vehicles, with the defect involving the Seat Belts component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Mazda North American Operations dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03V515000 or the manufacturer campaign number 1503L. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.