Front Seat Belt Retractor problems of the 1996 Ford Mustang

Consumer noticed that both drive r and passenger retractors deteriorated. The belts were inoperable when in use. Consumer was afraid that there was a great risk involved while driving without belts.

Consumer noticed that both driver and passenger retrctors deteriorated. The belts were inoperable. Consumer was afraid there was a great risk involved while driving without belts.

Seatbelts don't retract.

The seat belt retractor for both front seats jam. They jam when you are trying to pull them out to hook then together. This does not enable you to be able to hook up your seat belts. The first occurrence was sometimes in 1997. We contacted the dealer. They took the cover off off the retractor and straightened out the belt so it would work. This has been done several times by the dealer and by the owner of the vehicle. The belt is easily twisted and jams in the retractor. The retractor was replaced by the dealer 0n September 21, 1998. The problem continued, and the dealer was contacted again on June 2, 1999 and the retractor was replaced again. We have been in numerous times for this problem and it still is unresolved as to the retractor jamming. This is obviously a serious design defect which the manufacturer should correct immediately. The car cannot legally or safely be driven with a defective seat belt assembly.

Seat belts are loose, tangled, and don't work properly, will not pull out at times. * jb.

While driving the hydraulic brake booster failed causing the steering wheel to lock up and loss of control (accident), as a result the seat belt retractor broke.

Seat belt has become frayed while passing through retractor guide. Seat belt tangles and will not retract due to poor guide design. Numerous dealers contacted and advised about possible seat belt failure and lack of crash worthiness. All have said belt is out of warranty (problem first noticed at around 60k miles) and that Ford was not responsible for replacement. Wear on belt caused by retractor guide, not use or abuse.