Four problems related to front seat belt retractor have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Driver's side seat belt does not release from the retractor.
Involved in collision with other vehicle - front drivers side of other vehicle hit front drivers side of my vehicle - both my wife (front passenger) and myself had our seat belts on. At impact my wifes seat belt did not hold her upper body back causing her upper body to go forward and strike her forehead with the rear view mirror. Also air bags did not deploy. Seat belts at times don't tighten across the upper body.
7- year old child was sitting on passenger's side backrow and ended up getting tangled up with shoudler belt. When she couldn't breathe, she asked for help. Another passenger unbuckled seatbelt, but seatbelt was in retracting mode, so it continued to strangle 7-year old child. Seatbelt had to be cut off in order to allow child to breathe. Consumer felt there should be release button to deactivate retracting mode.
Driver's seatbelt does not retract, which won't protect the occupant in event of a crash. Dealer will replace driver's seatbelt. Parts are on back order. Please provide further information.