Front Seat Belt Retractor Problems of Ford Escort - part 1

Driver's side seat belt retracter does not retract.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Escort 🔎.

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.

Rear passenger's side seatbelt would not retract. Dealer repaired it twice, then replaced it. At this time, driver's side rear seatbelt will not retract. *akthe problem with the belts are still occuring.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Escort 🔎.

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

Seatbelt retractors in the back of vehicle continually tighten, and will not allow for consumer to lean or move forward. Consumer has to release buckle and reattach buckle in order have freedom of movement. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Escort 🔎.

While waiting to make a turn another car hit consumer's vehicle on right side. Dashboard cracked, but none of frontal airbags deployed. Also, seat belt came loose. The driver was injured during the accident.

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact restraints did not retract, resulting in minor injuries. Dealer has been notified. Ak.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Escort 🔎.

Car "totaled" in rear-end wreck. Passenger seatback collapsed when hit from rear, hard contact with 3-point seat belts when thrown forward when car crashed into vehicle stopped in front. Got ride to hospital in ambulance! driver side seat back did not collapse, driver okay.

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.

While driving at 35 mph vehicle was in a front end collision and the seat belts did not restrain properly. Also, air bags did not deploy. Dealer has been contacted.

Vehicle was involved in an accident by hitting a snow draft, causing vehicle to spin around into a ditch and strike a concrete barrier upon impact, seat belt and air bag failed to deploy.

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.

While driving about 25 mph consumer rear ended a parked vehicle. Seat belt did not hold her back, and the air bags did not deploy.

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.

Vehicle was involved in a collision at 45mph, seat belts did not retract properly, and the airbag did not deploy until the vehicle came to a complete stop. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Escort 🔎.

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.

While turning at 15 to 20 mph vehicle was struck at a 45 degree angle on passenger's side, there was no deployment of driver's or passegers side airbags. Also driver's side seat belt failed to restrain occupant.

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.

Seatbelt will not retract from the door.

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.