The driver seat belt latch for the restraint has failed to stay secure. It latches and locks but then does release without warning and without interference from the operator while the vehicle is in motion. This is a potentially life threatening condition in the event of an accident. I have reported this to my local Ford dealership and to Ford customer service (monica) on June 7th. Neither have offered to replace the defective latch without cost. I feel this is not a cosmetic defect but a potentially lethal problem with the equipment. The vehicle is a 1995 Ford Explorer limited edition.

- Aberdeen, WA, USA

Driver's seatbelt does not latch. The spring which presses the latch in place does not return to its intended position, keeping the seatbelt from being latched securely. Normal use has led to this failure. Fortunately, there have been no consequences yet. I plan on taking the vehicle into the dealer sometime soon, but unfortunately it may be a couple of days before I can get it serviced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Driver's side seat belt latch is defective. It is difficult to latch (like it has a broken spring inside) and it repeatedly unlatches during use. I have bought a replacement part, but have not installed it yet.

- Shalimar, FL, USA

Driver seat belt latch unlatches while driving. No consequences. Replacing asap.

- Kent, WA, USA

Driver's seat belt will no longer stay in latched position. I suspect a spring or spring-like mechanism that holds the seat-belt release button in the latched position has failed.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Driver's side seat-belt latch seems to have failed due to the spring mechanism. First, the belt would detach without warning (while driving) and then difficult to latch at all. Seems to be similar to other complaints found on your web VRTC-dcd2038 (EA02-011) I called Ford customer service (worthless - but they did confirm my car was manf. In April 1995 which seems to track with the batch of springs which have failed in other complaints.) my issue is that, even though the seat belt now is unlatchable, before it had spurious "unlatchings" while driving, leading one to suspect maybe I didn't latch it completely - so in an accident, not knowing this is a potential defect of this year of this component at time of manf., in an accident, the failure could have catastrophic effects of death and injury due to the failure of this primary safety restraint system. It seems a known potential issue with these specific date/components. Why wouldn't Ford at least inspect them and avoid this"??"

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Seat belt on the driver's side is defective. When the seat belts are latched together the seat belts will separate inadvertently. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that the defect was in the buckle which will not hold the latch once engaged.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Front passenger seat belts will not stay locked in the belt buckle, and will release without warning. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Moore, SC, USA

1995 Ford Explorer driver's seat belt buckle return spring appears to have suddenly broken, same as described in prior ODI action no. EA02011. Serious safety issue created: Appears to latch, then unlatches suddenly while driving. Problem occurs frequently, so buckle/belt will be replaced asap.

- Tustin, CA, USA

The driver's side seat belt latch will not stay engaged in the buckle. The latch continues to unlock and release from the buckle. Dealer has been notified of the problem.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

The driver side seat belt buckle failed to latch properly. Movement by the driver caused the buckle to release. This was a sudden permanent failure of the seat belt lock.

- Belmont, CA, USA

The drivers side seatbelt latch failed while driving releasing the seatbelt, the seatbelt could be rebuckled but the latch continued to release intermittently and eventually failed altogether. Nlm

- Acton, MA, USA

Called downey Ford, and asked if there was a recall on seatbelt latch failure or warranty and was told no, so odered new seat belt and was billed $37.

- Pico Rivera, CA, USA

Driver side seat belt buckle fails to engage clip. Appears to be a broken sping return in the buckle assembly. Ford customer care contacted and problem noted.

- Laurel, MD, USA

The spring in the seat belt release button does not work. There is no tension or resistance on the button. The button flops up and down in the buckle. The seat belt will not stay fastened in the buckle. The seat belt tongue does not catch and remain fastened in the buckle.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Numerous attempts to release the belt buckle from the locking housing mechanism failed and the fabric portion of the seatbelt had to be cut off, leaving the buckle in the locking mechanism.

- Alta Loma, CA, USA

Original front driver side seat belt buckle fails to latch. Replaced with Ford part no. F57Z-7861203-C.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

Driver's side seat belt intermittently would not latch. Dealer was notified, and unwilling to assist because vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and vehicle out of its warranty.

- Howard, MI, USA

Since purchase of vehicle in 1998 following components had to be replaced: Transmission/fuel pump/ all 4 tires blew and not on recall/ cruise control/ radio quit, and no longer able to buckle drivers seat belt.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Driver seat belt buckle will not latch. Locking mechanism is broken which prevents buckle from latching. Dealer /manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not under a recall or warranty. Repairs would be at consumer's cost. The cause for the failure of the locking mechanism of the seat buckle is possibly faulty engineering and a poor design.

- Taylor, MI, USA