Seat Belt Related Problems of the 2013 Ford Escape

Table 1 shows one common seat belt related problems of the 2013 Ford Escape.

Table 1. Seat Belt related problems of Ford Escape

Problem Category Number of Problems
Seat Belt problems
44

Seat Belt problem #1

Ford recall 14s21 was performed on this vehicle in 2015. I currently have a dtc b10a2. The code indicates that the restraint control module has failed. I contacted the local Ford dealer, cavalier Ford, and was told that the item was out of warranty. The issue is safety. The representative that I spoke with did not understand that the item that was the focus of the original recall has failed. Based on the original recall, the air bags and belt pretensioner could fail in the event of an accident. The replacement of the original item does not provide long term protection since it has failed again.

Seat Belt problem #2

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into drive, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact became aware that the vehicle responded as needed while shifted into reverse. The contact also stated that a message was displayed, alerting the contact of an air bag deployment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts) and 22v413000 (power train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 141,000.

Seat Belt problem #3

Puting car into reverse on 2way road to turn around car wouldn't go in reverse or forwards car shut off. Had to keep brake on kept shifting back and forth till car turned on had traffic stopped both ways. Seatbelt released not working at all. If car would of gone forwards upon started would of gone over cliff. This happened about 2nd week in July. Currently car has trouble upon driving shifting into gear. Please advise. Dangerous.

Seat Belt problem #4

The owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The vehicle stated while in traffic at approximately 30 mph the driver behind contact rear-ended her. The contact stated the seat belt's pretensioners did work, and the air bag deploy. The contact stated the compact of the accident caused her head to hit the steering wheel. There was damage to the front bumpers and grill and rear of the vehicle, but it was drivable. The police arrived on the scene. There was a police report filed. The paramedics arrived on the scene and sent a contact to the emergency. The hospital diagnosed injury to the nose, neck, and bruises. The contact received mri and cat scans. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts). The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

Seat Belt problem #5

In my 2013 Escape, the driver's side seatbelt would no longer retract back in place on its own- and while driving it would not retract properly, usually staying loose and laying on my lap while buckled. The passenger side seatbelt would not fit snug around the passenger either. Both front seatbelts would not restrain anyone in the event of braking hard. I took it in for repair to fred bean's Ford in exton, PA. It was unsafe to drive the car because both the driver and passenger would fly forward when the brakes were pushed hard- no restraining at all from either seatbelt. The dealership charged me over $1200 to install a new part called a pretensioner in both seatbelts. I saved my receipt.

Seat Belt problem #6

The driver side seat belt will not latch. Also, the left back door will not open.

Seat Belt problem #7

Tl-the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated the driver's side seat belt failed to lock and or retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fremont motor lander1731 w. Main street, lander, wy. 82520 307) 335-3359 where diagnosed the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mleage was 87,000. The contact stated seat belts should be covered for a lifetime. Ap.

Seat Belt problem #8

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver’s side front seat belt failed to retract as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the retractor was replaced under warranty. The failure reoccurred approximately 2 months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the retractor needed replacing again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Seat Belt problem #9

I purchased my vehicle may 6,2020 accident accord in winnie,TX June 22,2020 on the highway me and my kids father were on the highway at the time the highway was getting construction work done as we were driving down the highway street someone hit us broke one of my ribs and my left elbow as well I didn’t have any knowledge of knowing my vehicle had a recall until I just realize searching on my vehicle I purchased and the reason why it wasn’t taken cared before I had family matters sorry so late briana roy.

Seat Belt problem #10

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the air bag warning light would remain illuminated after buckling the drivers seat belt. Additionally the driver side seat belt alarm was inoperable and did not alarm while operating the vehicle with the seat belt unsecured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the seat belt sensor was faulty. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 60,000 . Jft.

Seat Belt problem #11

Drivers side seat belt does not retract. As a result I tested it by inserting the buckle and pulled on the belt quickly/sharply to determine if it would lock up. While the passenger side retracts and locks up, the driver side does not. Don't believe the seat belt would restrain the driver in an accident. My wife drives the car and said this began about 6 months ago. I was unaware of this until recently.

Seat Belt problem #12

Transmission was messed up when I bought out of a dealership I payed 4,000 to fix it and get it rebuilt for it to fail again.

Seat Belt problem #13

Seatbelt fails to retract properly. The tension on the return is inadequate. It will retract by pushing the seat belt back into the slot to some extent but not fully and certainly not on it's own.

Seat Belt problem #14

Drivers side seat belt fails to retract when buckling up. Slack remains while driving. This doesn't effect the g lock mechanism. If in a crash the seat belt is useless to prevent impact of steering wheel. A person would only have and airbag to protect during an impact. Seat belt that don't retract should be a safety concern in any vehicle.

Seat Belt problem #15

When driving this vehicle, it ser me like it is not running right, and think it is going to die on us in traffic. The front seat belt does not go back in the area where it belongs and sits on the front seat. The passenger driver side door does not close right when you open it. It will stay open until you push the handle down and then it will close and lock. We are afraid to travel long distance with the vehicle because of the way the car acts and run. We just want it fix or replace vehicle.

Seat Belt problem #16

Driver seatbelt will not tighten when being worn and not sure would lock if in accident!.

Seat Belt problem #17

Drivers side seat belt will not retract all the why.

Seat Belt problem #18

�unsafe at any speed�: we bought a new 2013 Ford Escape. It had many problems, including many safety recalls. I request Ford buy the car back multiple times (they refused). Our driver's seat belt failed on 12-25-2017 at 09:55 am, when my wife's car was struck from behind by a car going 50 mph. Both cars were totaled. My wife was in the drivers seawearing her seat belt at the time of the accident & was thrown forward and hit her head on the steering wheel when drivers side seat belt failed to engage. She got a concussion injury and had to go to the er, also a bad whiplash and other injuries, including seatbelt rash on left collarbone. Seat belt failed or her head would not have been injured. We aren't first Ford owners to be injured by seat belt problems. I found multiple reports on the NHTSA site of driver and passenger injuries in 2013 & 2014 Ford Escapes due to seat belt failures. (note: this issue may be similar to existing NHTSA recall 16v875, for the Ford fusion, but not the Escape. ) Ford has been notified multiple times drivers & passengers are being injured by the failure of driver & passenger seat belts, yet has taken no action, nor has NHTSA. Please review the seat belt injuries in 2013-2018 Ford Escapes. *** note: I found 12 NHTSA reports of seat belt failures in j2013-2014 Escapes, including 4 injuries. The Escape design changed in 2013. A. Nhtsa id number: 10562168 (injuries due to sb failure, including broken bones, incorrectly logged as no injuries, customer called fmc) incident date January 28, 2014 b. Nhtsa id number: 10561343 (two injuries, brakes failed, seat & seat belts failed) incident date January 9, 2014 c. Nhtsa id number: 10618315, (2 injuries), incident date August 1, 2014 d. Other seat belt failure reports (no injuries): 11053916,11053318,10947832, 10811504, 10555439, 11034362, 10763929, 10618315, 11048052.

Seat Belt problem #19

My driver-seat seat belt warning light and alarm does not always work. It does not come on on a consistent basis at start-up. If I unlatch my seat belt while the driving the alarm and warning light do not come on at all. I had a problem with the belt latching at one point and the dealership replaced the latch. My backseat driver's side seat belt does not latch at all. This is the second belt to have latching difficulties.

Seat Belt problem #20

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt failed to retract when attempted to used. The vehicle was taken to cloquet Ford dealer, located on 701 washington Ave, cloquet, mn 55720, phone: (218) 879-4668, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt and motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Aw.

Seat Belt problem #21

Driver's seat belt tensioner quit working. Seat belt will no longer tighten when brakes are applied. The seat belt will not restrain the driver in the event of a sudden stop.

Seat Belt problem #22

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts) and 16v643000 (latches/ locks/linkages). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Seat Belt problem #23

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, waited a few minutes, and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. In addition, the front passenger door failed to remain locked. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v237000 (air bags), 14v239000 (structure), 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts), and 16v643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Seat Belt problem #24

The rear seatbelt buckles appear to have been installed improperly at the factory. One of the buckles is forced up by the bolt spring while the other two are forced down. The two that are forced down make it difficult for rear seat passengers to buckle in. Furthermore, when the seat back is folded down, the two seatbelt buckles tend to be forced under the seat. This can lead to the buckle(s) getting damaged when trying to raise the seat back to its upright position. In some cases, the buckle can be crushed and made unusable.

Seat Belt problem #25

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (seat belts) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The VIN was not available.

Seat Belt problem #26

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Seat Belt problem #27

Drivers seat belt does not retract, now it will not retract enough to properly fit driver, hanging loose on torso at all times, and conditions. Clearly this is a failed safety device, required by law. Car was taken to dealer, where for $100. 00, I was told it's not covered and parts alone are $800. 00 vehicle is model year 2013 with 80,000 miles.

Seat Belt problem #28

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #29

The power steering overheated malted. Had to replace unit 2,500. Also seatbelts no longer retract. . . Safety issues. . . . Told car could catch on fire if I drove car with bad power steering.

Seat Belt problem #30

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags , seat belts) however, it was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #31

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags , seat belts) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. Sr.

Seat Belt problem #32

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number :14v597000(air bags, seats belts)however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The vehicle had not experienced a failure. Kh.

Seat Belt problem #33

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seatbelts) and stated that the part was not available. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #34

2013 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to waiting for parts to complete vehicle repairs.

Seat Belt problem #35

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufactured exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #36

2013 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to parts not available to complete airbag recall notice. Recall # 14v597000.

Seat Belt problem #37

Tl-the contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated when coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked forward without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14v597000 (air bags , seat belts) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Ss.

Seat Belt problem #38

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the lack of parts for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #39

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts) was received in October of 2014. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was notified.

Seat Belt problem #40

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v597000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Seat Belt problem #41

Was rear ended by a vehicle going at a high rate of speed while sitting at a light. Passenger seat belt did not engage. My daughter was thrown to the left and forward then to the right and backwards. Almost hitting the dash. Has whiplash and collar bone issues. Cannot lift her arms. Called Ford and reported this safety issue.

Seat Belt problem #42

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph and applying the brakes, the brakes failed. The contact crashed into a concrete lane divider and went airborne. The vehicle crossed over four lanes of traffic before coasting to a stop. The contact sustained a fractured lumbar spine and injuries to the left elbow. The front passenger suffered a head injury, fractures to the lumbar and thoracic spine areas. The contact stated that the front passenger¿s side seat also failed upon impact. Both of the injured occupants were transported to the hospital from the crash site. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 11,000.

Seat Belt problem #43

Upon taking off driver side seat belt, it would not retract. Pulling out and fastening the seat belt it will not retract and tighten. Took to Ford on Nov. 26th. Said it is a known problem. Have to order parts but was told that seat belt does not function properly but have air bags if anything was to happen. A malfunctioning seat belt is not a warm feeling to drive around with. Big safety issue.

Seat Belt problem #44

My wife was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. The car was at a stop when it accelerated suddenly for a short burst. The brakes did not hold the vehicle in one spot and she tapped the vehicle in front of her cause two minor scratches on the other vehicle's bumper. Our insurance company has been contacted and is in the process of getting the other vehicle repaired. The Escape did not sustain any noticeable damage. The Escape is heading back to the dealership to be looked at. This has only occurred once that we know of but I have noticed once that the vehicle did jump a bit in rpms and speed while driving it at a steady speed on a fairly flat road.


Seat Belt related problems in other Ford Escape model year vehicles:



Escape Service Bulletins
Escape Safety Recalls
Escape Defect Investigations