Six problems related to front seat belt retractor have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Seatbelt retractor allowed excessive slack to be released during vehicle rollover. Occupant was partially ejected from vehicle, resulting in loss of right leg.
When getting into vehicle and starting it up, throttle sticks. Consumer has to press the gas pedal real hard to stop the throttle from sticking. Also, passenger's side seat belt won't come out, and front passenger's seat keeps sliding forward whenever consumer is driving.
Passenger side seatbelt began to tighten on passenger, the seat belt would not loosen and had to be cut off. Vehicle taken to the dealer where there were no part available to repair the seatbelt.
Thank you for your article confirming repeated seatbelt failure with Fords. My 98 Ford Explorer sport has been to the original dealer twice with seatbelts that do not retract correctly. They hang out the door. The dealership told me it is because of the seating position. (upright!) I have contacted Ford directly and was referred back to the dealer. I'm a car seat technician through NHTSA and am familiar with how seat belts work. These work when they want to. I constantly have to guide them back into the retractor. Please help because I'm sure I'm not the only one. Thank you.
Rear sear belt behind driver's seat does not release from retracking mechanism.
Consumer stated the rear seat belt behind drivers seat becomes jammed and will not release from retracting mechanism, causing the seat belt to become inoperable.