Seat belts: front (Saab)
Vehicle recall 81V-147. NHTSA received SAAB CARS USA, INC.’s report on Dec 8, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received SAAB CARS USA, INC.’s report on Dec 8, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT PERMANENT LUBRICATION IN THE BUCKLE/RELEASE MECHANISM OF THE TYPE 2 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
THIS MAY CAUSE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN FULLY FASTENING SEAT BELTS, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY SEEM TO BE FULLY FASTENED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Seat belts: front.
What should you do?
A SPECIAL WAX LUBRICANT WILL BE SPRAYED INTO THE BUCKLE RECEPTACLE SLOT TO REMEDY DEFECT AND PREVENT REOCCURANCE. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELT BUCKLE MECHANISM.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS FALSE FEELING THAT THE SEAT BELT IS LATCHED CANINCREASE THE CHANCES OF INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TONGUE CAN POPOUT OF THE LATCH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.NOTE: UNTIL CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TAKEN, PULL UPWARD ON THE SEAT BELT AFTERFASTENING IT TO CHECK THAT IT IS SECURELY LATCHED.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 3,500 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Saab 900and 1981, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by SAAB CARS USA, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.