general problems of the 1996 Ford Escort

The driver side motorized seat belt has ceased functioning and is now stuck midway along the top part of the seat belt track. This being the case the seat belt will not protect the driver in the event of a sudden stop. In this position it is likely that in a sudden stop the driver's head would hit the windshield and a more severe than normal whiplash in the neck would occur. I have noted that there are numerous complaints about this seat belt issue for this vehicle online. I contacted Ford corporate and there is no recall notice or customer satisfaction. I think this is unacceptable on Ford's part. As a health care provider, who has worked in a hospital neurosurgery unit, the potential for a serious head injury resulting from a malfunctioning seat belt such as reported above is very real. It should not be an option for Ford to not replace such a faulty safety device - Ford should be mandated to replace such defective safety devices and there should be no time limit on such a replacement or recall. A medical legal liability case would cost Ford more than the cost of replacing the defective seat belt.

Restrain belts automatic system front seat driving side is not work properly, dealer has replaced twice and still reoccurring the problem. Please provide further information. Mr.

Consumer states then when drvr's door is shut the automatic driver's side shoulder belt does not fully release or secure occupant. The belt will only move to the halfway point on the track. Consumer states that while driving the belt will continously click as if trying to move but consumer is unable to adjust manually. Nlm.

Driver's side automatic seat belt unraveled and malfunctioned. When sudden brakes were applied tension in seat belt didn't respond. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.

The automatic seat belt on the drivers side has jammed in it's track. I have been advised I will have to replace the seatbelt motor as well. The warranty covering this part is only 5 yrs/50,000 miles. I feel that Ford installed faulty equipment on my car and am disappointed in the quality of this major part of the safety system. I think Ford needs to recall this product given the serious nature of this obvious defect.

Tries to accelerate and push through stoplights when my foot is on the brake. Accelerates with out me and even trying to brake won't stop. Stop and put it in park and it revs the enging to very high rpm's.

Electronic shoulder belt track sticks in the middle position failing to lock into a position that would restrain driver. Dealership has examined vehicle, and will repair the problem at consumer's cost. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Three seat belts of 5 in my 1996 Ford Escort do not work. The springs of the shoulder harness of the two rear seat belts do not work. The Escort was under warranty but Ford refused to fix without substantial cost for the parts because seat belts were no longer covered. The front driver side shoulder harness motor does not work properly, causing the shoulder harness to not be in a safe position. No injuries at this point. If there was an accident passengers and driver would not be adequately protected by seat belts. Incident date below is approximate date rear seat belts failed.

Motorized seat belt cable on passenger's side broke, and one on driver's side is not working any more.

Power seatbelt stopped halfway in track, will cost over $600, check engine light comes on intermitantly, while everything checks out okay mechanically, can't figure what's causing it to come on.

Sealt belt on the driver's side snapped off in track and caused a concusion as well as a large contusion to my head. It required 14 stitches and 10 staples. The air bags depolyed late causeing my husband to hit his head on the windsheild. And rupturing my spleen.

I started up the vehicle and the retractable seat belt stopped half-way through its normal track. The motor is audible, however, the belt continues to stay stationary half-way through its track. The motor is constantly "making an attempt" to move the seat belt through the rest of its track, but to no avail. The seat belt light is on also.

Driver's seat belt stopped in open position, 4 weeks later, passenger's seatbelt stopped working, also open position.

The motor driven shoulder harness stopped in a forward position, making the shoulder harness unusable. It stopped in a position where you would bump your head on the belt lock as you entered the vehicle. I have talked with other Escort owners that have had the same failure. Given the amount of money paid to crash victims of much older vehicles, I think it is incumbent upon the manufacturer to guarantee the safety of passengers by providing a restraint system that works correctly for at least the average lifetime of a vehicle, not just three years. By the way, after being charged $250 for a repair, the belt worked once before failing again. Should I be in an accident between now and Monday when I can return to the dealers, I will not be protected by a shoulder harness. Being that an Escort is such a small car, I believe I'm at significant risk of injury should an accident occur. These kinds of failures should be fixed free, no questions asked.

Drivers side shoulder belt motor is stuck midway. This will not allow the belt to properly restrain a passenger. 3fasp11j8t.

Tracking of seat belt got stuck. Driver side seat belt is automatic adjustment, which has to be disconnected for the seatbelt to retract. Seatbelt must be manually clipped.

Seat belt became stuck midway on numerous occasions, finally it came off the track. I do not have a seat belt to wear now. Engine check light problem began at under 10,ooo mi vehicle was brought into dealer was repaired (maybe? or was it only reset?) oxygen sensor' s (2 )had to be replaced to pass emission test. Not covered under warranty. Passenger door had problem took to dealer who sort of fixed it. At least one could open it from the inside. But it was difficult. Eventually problem resurfaced. I have noticed that many of the problems I have had with the seat belts and with the check engine light are not an uncommon occurence. I am a chicago police officer and I notice that the check engine light is always on in the Ford squad cars. There are problems which needs to be addressed. The seat belt issue needs to be addressed immediately. Until I saw your web info in a magazine, I was not aware there was any recourse other than to complain to the manufacturer which is fruitless. Perhaps your number and information need to be listed on the vehicle information books that are supplied to new car buyers. I only wonder how many other consumers have had similar problems that have not been reported other than to Ford's customer service. .

When I closed the door to my car, the seatbelt activation cable jumped the track and quit half way. I contacted several Ford dealers in oklahoma city, and the final answer to me was that the warranty had expired. I forced the belt to the end of the track and pulled the fuse, disabeling both the driver and passenger seatbelts. My question is have there been any fatalities due to this condition, and if there have how many does it take to warrant a safety recall.

Automatic front seat belts don't work properly. The belts are attached to door. Will not move along door track. Shorted out after following instructions. Taking vehicle to dealer to have them check it.

I am adding another complaint to the vast list of previous complaints regarding my 1996 Ford Escort and the failure of my passive restraint shoulder belt. It has been giving me problems for probably the last 8-10 years. It would intermittently stop mid-track and "bouncing" the door against the hinge would get it to move. Two weeks ago, it stopped dead in the middle of the track. I, too, could hear the motor trying to make it go. I left it alone and about 4 days later, it resumed operating. Now a week later, it has frozen again, a little more forward in the track than previously. I am dishearten to learn that others who have tried the process explained in the owner's manual to manually move the belt in the track has failed. I am at a loss as to why Ford, having been notified of so many complaints regarding this same exact failure of their safety equipment, has chosen to ignore it! I will never buy another Ford product if this is evidence of how they treat their faithful customers! can anything be done about this???.

Driver's side motorized seat belt inoperable which resulted in failure to pass state required safety inspection, and car is illegal to drive except for repairs. Dealer replacement cost: $600+. Manufacturer contacted and related there is nothing they would do as warranty is 5 yr/50,000.

Automatic seat belt failed to operate. Dealer notifed, and informed consumer that the cost would go to consumer because vehicle was out of warranty.

The belt stopped in the track on drivers side. It is stuck. The motor cant be turn as indicated in the owners manual.

Passenger was leaning forward when the brakes were applied and the shoulder belts did not retract or extend. The belts locked in postion after occupants heard a loud rattle and clunk sound from the rear cargo compartment.

Driver's shoulder belt got stuck which caused the driver's seatbelt to become inoperative and will not protect occupant in the event of a crash. Then the passenger's seatbelt malfunctioned. Currently, the driver's seatbelt malfunctioned again.

Oxygen sensor failed; also automatic seat belts locked during deployment, injuring driver and wife and gas gauge malfunctioned, is off by at least 3 gallons.

Car was in a flood while parked in the driveway, motorized seat belts began rattling on both sides and operated erratically.

Driver's side lap/shoulder belt failure, automatic shoulder belt retractor caused the seat belt to catch on the sunvisier.

Both the driver's side and passenger's side motor seat belts stopped working. Driver's side motor stopped moving. The seatbelt in the middle of the track. Sometimes I get hit in the head when I get out. The tool that came with the car to manually move the seat belt does not work. Luckily, the passenger side seat belt motor stopped when it was in the normal position. When going faster than 45 mph the speedometer jumps to 70 mph or faster and makes a weird noise.

Seat belt track malfunctions inconsistently.

My driverside automatic seatbelt has come off track, therefore leaving me with no driverside seatbelt. If I was to get in an accident, I would have to rely on the airbag only. If I get stopped by the police, then I will get a seatbelt ticket. Then I would have to pay a fine for something I couldn't control or better yet that Ford couldn't control. I called them and since my 50,000 mile safety restraint warranty was expired there was nothing that they could do for me. Now all I can do is hope I don't get in an accident or get pulled over because now my life is in Ford's hands (by their choice, not mine). I mean plain and simple, that's a lifesaving device that's just not there for me.

Driver's side passive shoulder belt motor failed at half-way point on its track. This is my 16 year old nephew's car. Local Ford dealer says the seat belt was "twelve(12) days past warranty" and wants to charge the kid over $300. For repair. This is a safety item, isn't it the manufacture's responsibility?the kid doesnt want to spend the money on the repair if he drives it the way it is now he is breaking michigan's seatbelt laws not to mention risking serious injury. Any info you can give would be very helpful.