Front Seat Belt Retractor problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the drivers side seat belt locked and she was unable to unlock it. The highway patrol had to cut the seat belt in order for her to get out of it. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no related recalls. They also stated that they would not be liable for replacing the seat belt. The failure mileage was 213,000. Updated 10/21/09. Updated 10/20/jb.

Consumer states vehicle was involved in a collision, driver's side seat belt did not restrain occupant. As a result, driver sustained massive head injuries. Dealer notified.

Passenger's side front seat belt does not release when seat belt button is pushed to disengage.

I was unable to release my child from his seat belt. When everyone else failed to be able to release the child, I carried the vehicle (with the child still constrained) to the dealer. The dealer's body shop had to remove the bolts from the roof of the vehicle to release the child. If there had been as accident and a fire, the child would have perished because the seat belt was jammed and would not allow for release.

Seat belt catch released when extreme side impact on front passenger side.

Rear lap belts do not come out all the way. Sometimes they don't retract, incident occurred three times. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

Passenger seat belt retract and locks restraining normal passenger movement.

Rear restraints are inoperaple. The restraints will not retract. Dealer has bene notified.

Driver's side seat belts failed to release/retract to be used. Also, will not retract if able to release them. Took to dealer & mechanic indicated problem was not repairable.