Shoulder belt retractor stopped working and jammed in its guide track.

- Howardwick, TX, USA

Both front seat retractor motors/tracks have failed, resulting in front seat belts inoperable. Belts stuck in partial retracted mode resulting in shoulder belts not correctly positioned to properly restrain driver or front passenger. One belt is positioned if used would come across the seated person's neck. If this where a manual seatbelt system there would not be a problem, but there is no way to manually lock the shoulder belt in the proper position due to the electric system employed in this vehicle and it's failure. When the vehicle was purchased used it had 90158 actual miles. The used car dealer informed me that the problem could be resolved with the installation of "salvage" parts since the expense of repairing the seat belts by "Ford" would exceed the value of the vehicle. I have been able to confirm this by talking with the repair departments at several Ford dealers in the area. Talking with a number independant auto repair shops in the area this is a "common problem" with these vehicles, however Ford will not honor repair of this "safety" issue. Research on the internet I have found this is also a common problem. I have observed that your site has an number of the same or similar complaints. I would like to know if NHTSA considers this a "passenger safety issue" requiring a recall, or does death or serious injury have to occur before an action is taken? several comments have been made on line that because his is a "passenger safety issue" involving a "required safety component" that Ford is obligated to repair the seat belt whther or not under warrenty without charge to the vehicle owner as long as the item was not damaged in an accident or subjected to improper use or repair. This vehicle according to carfax has never been involved in an accident and at the time of purchase was under 100000 miles, the limit of Ford's general warranty.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Failure in the drivers side shoulder harness mechanism allowing only the lap belt to be used. Dealership states it's an expensive repair. Contacted Ford customer service and was advised that the failure would have to be corrected at my expense. I feel this is wrong as the harness is a required safety feature.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

The driver's side retractable shoulder harness has failed and no longer functions. It locked in the mid-track position causing a significant driving and safety hazard. The belt was replaced under warranty at 49,000 miles by grass valley Ford, ca, under warranty and has again failed in the same manner at 98,000 miles. Ford will not replace the restraint after 50,000 miles unless the customer pays for it. I guess they don't mind the liability involved with lawsuits and injuries caused by defective belts. Ford should be required to replace every broken seatbelt to protect the public from a known faulty design that has not been corrected. This should be a mandatory recall by NHTSA!!!

- Penn Valley, CA, USA

Automatic shoulder seat belt did not retract back into locking position, making it impossible for consumer to wear properly a seat belt. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

Consumer complained about motorized seat belt problem. The seat belt froze on the track in an upright position. Consumer contacted Ford. However, Ford stated that they could do nothing, and would charge consumer an astronomical fee to repair the motorized seat belt.

- Dixon, CA, USA

The driver's seat belt retractor did not lock, which caused the driver not to be restrained.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

The front passenger seat belt retractor is inoperative. The consumer is unable to wear the seat belt because it's too tight.

- Ephrata, PA, USA

Driver's side shoulder belt has failed, will not retract, causing loss of protection.

- Roy, UT, USA

When I removed my four year olds safety seat to convert it to a booster seat, I discovered that the seat belt in the rear on the drivers side no longer retracted. The one on the passenger's side stopped retracting approximately six months ago. When I took the car to the dealership to have it repaired, I was told that it would cost $430 to replace both seat belts. What bothers me is that these were not overly used seat belts. One seat belt had a car seat strapped into it for 4 years. Had I not been converting the car seat, I would have never known of the problem. Because of seat belts that were failing, and not from excessive use I might add, my child could have been seriously injured or even killed.

- Charleston, SC, USA

When I removed my four year olds safety seat to convert it to a booster seat, I discovered that the seat belt in the rear on the drivers side no longer retracted. The one on the passenger's side stopped retracting approximately six months ago. When I took the car to the dealership to have it repaired, I was told that it would cost $430 to replace both seat belts. What bothers me is that these were not overly used seat belts. One seat belt had a car seat strapped into it for 4 years. Had I not been converting the car seat, I would have never known of the problem. Because of seat belts that were failing, and not from excessive use I might add, my child could have been seriously injured or even killed.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Consumer has replaced rear seat belts in 2 years. Where it retracts seat belt keeps on breaking. Consumer was responsible for repair expenses because of no warranty. Dealer had no remedy of how to keep it from breaking.

- Anderson, CA, USA

After purchasing this vehicle in Jan of 96' I had to have the back drivers side safetly seat belt replaced (under warranty). Since then I have had to have the back passenger side seat belt replaced (which was put in wrong). I will be returning to have that one fixed at their expense. But now the back drivers side passenger seat belt needs to be replaced again. These seat belts continually malfunction. Why is is necessary to replace a seat belt every three years? before this is all over with I will have had to put in four new seat belts in a car that I have been driving only 4 1/2 years.

- Gun Barrel City, TX, USA

While driving vehicle seat belts in rear, restraining children, would make retching noises before jamming. Top of seat belt would not retract after child has leaned forward quickly because the belt is loose. Been repaired twice on both sides. Parts were back an order, and dealer was not able to repair it. Consumer is very concerned about the safety of the restraint system because it failed 3 times in 5 years.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

In cold climate driver's seatbelt malfunctioned, causing the seatbelt not to retract, which won't protect the occupant in event of a crash. Dealer had added anlubricant on driver's seat belt, but problem still exists.

- Garden City, KS, USA

This is the 3rd time in 4 years this part has needed to be replaced. Seat belt pulls out all the way and fails to retract. It costs $114.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The seatbelt retractor motor stops half way along the track. Also it has locked the driver in the driver's seat. Dealelr disconnected the retractor. Mjs

- Palmdale, CA, USA

Driver's shoulder belt does not retract or becomes jammed within the retracting mechanism, cause unknown.

- Oakland, IL, USA

Both rear seat belts fail to retract. Therefore, they remain in the fully extended positions at all times. This failure did not appear to be a gradual one. At one moment the seat belts worked and then they did not. I beleive there is a design and or manufacturing defect with the seat belt assembly and that there is a potential for severe injury.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Rear seatbelts will not retract back into position, and will stay pulled out, causing a loss of protection.

- Great Vine, TX, USA