10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 22,901 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Driver's side seat belt retracter does not retract.
- South San Francisco, CA, USA
Driver's side seat belt retractor failure at approximately 86,000 miles. System failure creates a safety hazard in event of crash.
- Tallmadge, OH, USA
Front seat belt retractor failed.consumer stated that she owned a another Ford Escort of a different year and the seat belts failed.
- New Brighton, PA, USA
The front automatic seat belts failed to retract fully, and the rear seat belts failed to retract at all. This made it impossible to restraint the occupants or a child safety seat.
- Nashua, NH, USA
Consumer complained of a seat belt problem. Vehicle was equipped with automatic retractable seat belts, and the technician had to disconnect the motor of the retractable seat belts because it was getting too hot.
- Aberdeen, WA, USA
My son owns a 1996 Ford Escort which has a motorized shoulder harness assembly. The shoulder harness jammed and he could no longer use that part, although the seat belt worked. I took it to the local Ford dealership. They said parts & labor to replace the track & motor were over $500! this is probably half of what the car is worth. He was then stopped for a seat belt violation and told by the Wisconsin state trooper it had to be fixed. After several calls to salvage yards I was fortunate enough to find a used one at at reasonable price. However I was surprised to find out this is a very common problem, and most of the salvage yards didn't have them because of the demand. I don't think such an important safety item should cost so much to replace, especially when they are apparently a poor design and commonly need fixing.
- Menomonie, WI, USA
Failed driver side restraint system.
- Eagle River, AK, USA
Rear seat belt retractor failed. There was no upper body restraint for passengers.
- Sandusky, OH, USA
On 7/17/2003 the driver side rear seat belt was pulled out for use and would not retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who repaired the retractor. Currently, passenger side rear seat belt has done the same thing.
- Arlington, VA, USA
Both rear seatbelt retractors no longer work, parts were replaced in July 1997.
- Lancaster, CA, USA
Seatbelt retractor is broken. Dealer was notified.
- Norfolk, VA, USA
Both rearshoulder systems have failed. Shoulder harnesses are fully extended and will not retract.
- Scotts Valley, CA, USA
Do people have to die before someone takes action and how many. No safety defec tmentioned.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
Driver's seat belt does not fully extend from retracting mechanism, cause unknown.
- Swamp Scott, MA, USA
Speedometer jumps erratically at speeds above 50 mph. Not covered under extended warranty although brochure leads you to believe so. Dealership knew it was the speedometer itself and not a dry cable because of history of same problems. 2nd problem; at appox 80,000 miles the drivers side rear seat belt would not retract. I recognize that things do break, but when the passenger side rear seat belt wouldn't retract just a few months later, I came to the conclusion that there is a design defect.
- Shippensburg, PA, USA
Both rear seat belts will not retract or lock.
- Ridgeland, MS, USA
Both rear shoulder belts will not retract; leaving occupants without any restraint. Dealer notified and informed that vehicle was out of its warranty, and any repairs would be at consumer cost. Please feel free to provide any further details.
- Bushnell, FL, USA
Both rear seat shoulder belts will not retact in retractors; dealer notified and informed that vehicle was not covered under a recall. Any repairs would be at consumer's cost.
- Bushnell, FL, USA
Rear seat belts on driver side failed to retract to original position. Had placed child seat in seat belt that kept coming loose. It needed a locking for child seat to tighten & shorten the belt.
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
- Schenectady, NY, USA