What's important to know right now:

This is most of a letter sent to dealers  this past week from Ford; June 14, 2002; slightly edited to read for the consumer:

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Certain 2002 Model Year Thunderbird vehicles built at the Wixom Assembly Plant from the beginning of production through April 24, 2002.

SAFETY CONCERN

During a New Car Assessment Program 35 mph frontal barrier impact test of a 2002 Thunderbird conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), the driver side seat belt was partially cut by the seat mechanism. The test dummy was restrained by the seat belt throughout the test.

SERVICE ACTION

Ford wants to add an insert to the driver seat lower trim panel (hidden behind the seat trim) to eliminate the potential for the seat belt to contact the seat mechanism in a
severe collision.

PLEASE NOTE: PARTS AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME TO REPAIR THE CONDITION STATED ABOVE.

Your dealer will be notified in a follow-up standard communication (tentatively the week of July 15, 2002).

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Owners of record will be notified approximately June 21, 2002 of this action and advised to contact their dealer after July 22, 2002 when parts are expected to be available at dealerships.

OASIS / CUSTOMER CONTACT

OASIS will not be activated until parts are available. Dealer involved unit listings will be provided when the final bulletin is issued.

Also, in an attempt to minimize the number of questions that dealers will receive from customers, we have made involved unit data available to both OwnerConnection and
CARFAX. This will allow customers who hear of this issue via the media before receiving the Owner Letter to determine their possible involvement via the Internet.