Ford Escape Hybrid owners have reported 3 seat belt related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common seat belt problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's seat belt (3 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt problems |
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. While driving at approximately 10 mph, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The seat belt did not retract. As a result, the contact encountered the steering wheel. The contact sustained bruises on her chest that did not require medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated that rear center seat belt failed to function properly. While driving and making a sharp turn the seat belt responded as it should by locking up, but it never released or became loose. The driver had to forcefully pull the seat belt in order to remove the passenger out of it. The seat belt was not been inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,500.
On Friday, August 27, 2010 my daughter became tangled in her seatbelt, and was so constricted by the belt that we had to cut the belt. The sequence of events is as follows: 1. She belted in, as always. 2. She asked if she could lie down on the seat because she didn't feel well; I said okay, but keep the belt on 3. We pulled off the highway b/c she needed the bathroom - when she sat up, she said "I'm stuck in my seatbelt. " once parked, she released the clip, but remained tangled in the shoulder strap. 4. As we tried to get her out of the belt (she is 5'3", so I could not simply lift her up), which was around her waist in a full twist, she pulled the belt to full extension, accidentally starting the ratchet function. 5. The belt began to ratchet tighter and tighter, and became so constricted that she had to face over the back seat. 6. I held the belt to stop the ratcheting, while a friend ran in to get a pair of scissors. The belt was incredibly tight on her - we could not even move it up or down on her waist and she was crying because it was cutting in to her sides. 7. Unable to release the belt, I cut it off my daughter. The car is a Ford escape, hybrid, 2007 - but the seatbelts are similar in most car brands. The belt is under warranty and will be replaced at no charge. I do not know how this could be prevented, as the ratcheting function of the seatbelt is necessary for child seat restraints (car seats). However, it was the ratcheting of the belt that put my daughter in so much danger, as once the seatbelt begins ratcheting, it will not release until it is fully retracted. Thankfully, I noticed it was ratcheting before she was completely constricted. I am also reporting this to Ford. It could happen in any car with ratcheting seatbelts, regardless of the brand. Hopefully, it will not happen to anyone else.