Front Seat Belt Retractor problems of the 1996 Ford Escort

Driver's side seat belt retracter does not retract.

The automatic seat belt in my 1996 Ford Escort failed to move several times upon opening the door. On one occasion when it failed to release I went to get up under it when it moved forward dragging me with it and injuring my neck.

Driver's side seat belt retractor failure at approximately 86,000 miles. System failure creates a safety hazard in event of crash.

Front seat belt retractor failed. Consumer stated that she owned a another Ford Escort of a different year and the seat belts failed.

My son owns a 1996 Ford Escort which has a motorized shoulder harness assembly. The shoulder harness jammed and he could no longer use that part, although the seat belt worked. I took it to the local Ford dealership. They said parts & labor to replace the track & motor were over $500! this is probably half of what the car is worth. He was then stopped for a seat belt violation and told by the wisconsin state trooper it had to be fixed. After several calls to salvage yards I was fortunate enough to find a used one at at reasonable price. However I was surprised to find out this is a very common problem, and most of the salvage yards didn't have them because of the demand. I don't think such an important safety item should cost so much to replace, especially when they are apparently a poor design and commonly need fixing.

Failed driver side restraint system.

Rear seat belt retractor failed. There was no upper body restraint for passengers.

On 7/17/2003 the driver side rear seat belt was pulled out for use and would not retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who repaired the retractor. Currently, passenger side rear seat belt has done the same thing.

Both rear seatbelt retractors no longer work, parts were replaced in July 1997.

Seatbelt retractor is broken . Dealer was notified.

Both rearshoulder systems have failed. Shoulder harnesses are fully extended and will not retract.

Rear seat belts on driver side failed to retract to original position. Had placed child seat in seat belt that kept coming loose. It needed a locking for child seat to tighten & shorten the belt.

Do people have to die before someone takes action and how many. No safety defec tmentioned.

Both rear seat shoulder belts will not retact in retractors; dealer notified and informed that vehicle was not covered under a recall. Any repairs would be at consumer's cost.

Both rear shoulder belts will not retract; leaving occupants without any restraint. Dealer notified and informed that vehicle was out of its warranty, and any repairs would be at consumer cost. Please feel free to provide any further details.

Both rear retractor belts were twisted across body, and was unable to straighten them out. Believed this problem was due to parts installed backward. Dealer notified, and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer.

Both seatbelts failed within a month of each other. They just quit retracting. When I contacted the dealer, they said that they were not liable any more because after 36000 miles, the warranty was out. I cannot take my children in this vehicle because I cannot belt them in properly. Will it take an injury or fatality before something is done? no one has been hurt -yet. Manufacturers should be liable for any safety related devices to at least 100,000 miles on vehicles that are built today.

Driver's side seat belt retractor does not work. It gets stuck on the track. Vehicle repaired by dealer, and currently the passenger side retractor is having the problem. Owner believes a recall should be issued.

Driver side and passenger side automatic shoulder safety belts will only go half way up the door, then they appear to be stuck. The passenger side shoulder belt cable is out side of the track and appears to be frayed. Neither should belt works properly and would not restain driver or passenger if a crash should occur.

Retracting mechanism for rear left shoulder strap failed.

Speedometer jumps erratically at speeds above 50 mph. Not covered under extended warranty although brochure leads you to believe so. Dealership knew it was the speedometer itself and not a dry cable because of history of same problems. 2nd problem; at appox 80,000 miles the drivers side rear seat belt would not retract. I recognize that things do break, but when the passenger side rear seat belt wouldn't retract just a few months later, I came to the conclusion that there is a design defect.

Consumer complained of a seat belt problem. Vehicle was equipped with automatic retractable seat belts, and the technician had to disconnect the motor of the retractable seat belts because it was getting too hot.

Both rear seat belts will not retract or lock.

At times the driver's automatic seat belt does not retract after closing the door and the seat belt also blocks the driver's vision. Please describe details.

Driver's seat belt does not fully extend from retracting mechanism, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Driver's shoulder belt does not properly return into retracting mechanism, causing the seat belt to become inoperable, cause unknown. Please give any further details.