Two problems related to rear seat belt have been reported for the 1998 Ford Escort. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1998 Ford Escort. Both of the rear seat belts do not work. The seat belt straps will not pull out from the seat, which makes it impossible to use them. About a year ago the driver's side rear seat belt stopped retracting. This was in June of 2004. And on 7-25-05 the passenger side rear seat belt stopped retracting. The consumer had taken it to two different dealerships and they told her that the seat belts were not covered under warranty. When she contacted the manufacturer, they told her the same thing. There were no other known problems with the vehicle at this time. Consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident in 2002. But, it was just a fender bender type issue. No one was in the rear of the vehicle at that time.
Rear outboard seat belts are unable to retract. As a result, the child seats are not being restraint.