Safety Recall NHTSA · 81V102000 Reported September 8, 1981

Interior systems:bucket:back rest

Ford Motor Company · Seats · 6,500 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
81V102000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Component
Seats
Vehicles Affected
6,500
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
September 8, 1981

Defect Summary

The housing plates on the driver seat back latch recliner assemblies were manufactured with substandard material products. This tainted steel was used to produce seatback latches for both the right and left side seat assemblies. Under certain conditions, the defective housing plates may distort, allowing the locking teeth to disengage and tear off. This permits the seatback to pivot backwards.

Corrective Action

Upon inspection, both driver and passenger seat latch/recliner assemblies, on vehicles exhibiting the suspect date codes, will be replaced.

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 Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 81V102000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  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 Ford Motor Company or involving Seats.

FAQ: Recall 81V102000

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

What is recall 81V102000?

NHTSA recall 81V102000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on September 8, 1981. It addresses: Interior systems:bucket:back rest. The recall affects approximately 6,500 vehicles, with the defect involving the Seats component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 81V102000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). 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.