1995 FORD ESCORT Seat Belts Problems

THE PASSIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAS TO BE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED. WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IT HESITATES BEFORE RETRACTING TO DRIVERS BODY. THE CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.

Mileage: 151,000

STRONG ORDER OF GAS FROM GAS TANK, TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, SAID I HAVE A HOLE IN GAS TANK... DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT , CLICKING NOISE, WIRES CAME OUT , HANGING, NOW BELT IS STUCK...HAD TO REMOVE FUSE, TO STOP LOUD ANNOYING CLICKING NOISE... *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK, THE CABLE WAS HANGING DOWN, GOT GREASE ALLOVER, INCLUDING ON ME. DISCONNECTED EVERYTHING ,AND THROUGH IN GARBAGE. *TR

Mileage: 149,233

HELLO, I HAVE A 1995 FORD ESCORT WITH THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT. HAVE REPLACED THE TRACK AND HARDWARE. THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS ..... THE / OR ONE OF THE GUIDE CABLES COMES OUT OF THE TRACK CASING AND THE LOCK REFUSES TO SHUTTLE. THE MOTOR DOES A CLICK-CLICK ..... CLICK-CLICK AND THE LOCK TRIES TO SHUTTLE BUT DOES NOT. IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS? WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SHUTTLE TRACK? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 125,000

THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH GETS IN THE WAY OF THE WHEEL AND PROVIDES NO SAFETY SUPPORT WERE I TO GET IN A CRASH. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDES SEAT BELT OFTEN GOES WILD AND CONTINUOUSLY OPENS AND CLOSES ON THE PASSENGERS NECK WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO COVER THE COSTS OF THIS REPAIR AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO SO CONSIDERING IT PUTS THE DRIVER IN GREAT DANGER. *TR

THE MOTORIZED RETRACTING SHOULDER BELT FOR THE DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT CEASED WORKING AND IS STUCK IN THE NON-LOCKED POSITION AS IF THE DRIVER IS GETTING IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. AN EMERGENCY CRANK IS PROVIDED TO MANUALLY MOVE THE BELT ALONG THE TRACK BUT IT WILL NOT MOVE. THE MOTOR FOR THE BELT DRIVE SEEMS TO BE OK BUT THE CABLE IN THE TRACK SEEMS TO BE STUCK. AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR IS $600.00 AND THE MOTOR AND CABLE TRACK IS OVER $400.00. *TR

Mileage: 118,337

SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING AND JAMMED IN ITS GUIDE TRACK. *TR

Mileage: 96,555

MAKING LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE. MY SEAT BELT BROKE. CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB

MAKING LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE. MY SEAT BELT BROKE. CAR WAS TOTALED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS STOP AT THE CORNER OF THE DOOR POST AND DO NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THERE IS A GAP OF SIX INCHES BETWEEN THE SAFETY BELTS AND DOOR POST. A REPLACEMENT TRACK FOR THE SAFETY BELT WILL BE OBTAINED THROUGH A SALVAGE YARD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A MECHANIC, HAS SEEN MANY OF THE 1991 THROUGH 1996 ESCORTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED, THE CONTACT FEELS THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THESE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS WITH REGULAR SAFETY BELTS.

Mileage: 225,546

WHEN ON HIGHWAY 55 MPH OR MORE TRANSMISSIONS ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL HAVE NO OVERDRIVE OR DRIVE THEN ALSO SLIPS IN AND OUT. ALSO HAVE LIKE POWER SURGES WHEN USING THE HEATER IN THE CAR THE ENGINE REVS UP AND DOWN LIKE YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL EVEN WHEN IN PARK HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES YET. ALSO HAVE HAD THE REAR WIPER MOTOR AND STUFF REPLACED AND STILL DO NOT GET WASHER SOLVENT TO REAR WIPER THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BACK WINDOW DOES NOT WORK EITHER CAUSES STILL UNKNOWN IT IS A 1995 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON WITH ONLY 73000 MILES 1.9 L. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS HAVE COME OFF THE TRACK. THIS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 137,000

MY PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN A POSITION SO THAT IT CANNOT BE USEFUL AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS STUCK ALL THE WAY FORWARD SO THAT IT DOESN'T TOUCH THE PASSENGER AT ALL. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY "STOP" TO IT - I WORRY IN AN ACCIDENT IT WOULDN'T HOLD ME IN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE THIS IN TO GET IT FIXED AND WOULD LIKE FORD TO FIX IT FOR FREE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING CONTINUOUSLY IN THE 6 MONTHS I'VE HAD THE CAR. *JB

SEAT BELTS FAILED (CAME OFF TRACK) HEATER WIRING FAILED

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT MOTORS ARE INOPERATIVE ON THE 1995 FORD ESCORT. *BF *SC *JB

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN MY FORD ESCORT 95 HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT WAS THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE OF THE TRACT FAILURE. *JB

FAILURE OF POWER ASSISTED SHOULDER HARNESS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS UPPER BODY INJURY. I REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLE WITH ONE FROM AN AUTO SALVAGE YARD BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE OF A NEW ONE ($265.00).*AK

Mileage: 109,000

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.*AK

Mileage: 90,158

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. DRIVER'S SEAT BELTSNAPPED IN HALF, AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK

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.

Mileage: 102,760

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!!!*AK

Mileage: 98,000

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. *AK

Mileage: 60,250

ENGINE DEVELOPED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE ONLY REASON IT COST 600.00 WAS THAT I REPAIRED IT MYSELF. SEATBELTS AND TRANSMISSION HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

Mileage: 111,003

ON APRIL 11, 1995 I PURCHASED A NEW 1995 FORD LX, 1.9L SEFI , VIN# [XXX]. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND SETTLING INTO IT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT TO ME SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TEST DRIVEN AND I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY JUST NEW ENGINE NOISE AND IT WOULD STOP. AS TIME WENT ON THE CLICKING CONTINUED. I CALLED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES THEN I JUST GAVE UP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OKAY AND HAD CAUSED NO CONCERN. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1997 (CLICKING NOISE STILL THERE) I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. AS INVOICE STATES, NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. ON MAY 22, 2002 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED!!!!! REFERENCING NORTH CENTRAL FORD INVOICE NO. [XXX] (WHICH IS ATTACHED) YOU CAN SEE THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED. IN REFERENCE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED INVOICE, YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE PHONE CALLS I RECEIVED WAS TO EXPLAIN THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE NOTICE THAT YOU WILL FIND NOWHERE MENTIONED THAT VALVES OR ANYTHING ELSE WAS CHECKED. BY THE TIME ALL OF THIS TOOK PLACE, THE CLICKING NOISE HAD BECOME MORE APPARENT AND THEY WERE MADE AWARE THAT IT WAS STILL THERE. NOW FOR THE GRAND FINALE, ON APRIL 29, 2003 I DROVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT THE CLICKING NOISE TURNED INTO A NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE WERE GOING TO EXPLODE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND IT WAS TAKEN TO NORTH CENTRAL FORD. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC THOUGHT PUSH ROD HAD GONE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MORE THAN ONE MECHANIC (ASE CERTIFIED) WHO CLEARLY BELIEVES THAT THE VALVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST CHECKED WHEN THAT BELT BROKE. THIS [XXX] VEHICLE WAS MY PRIDE AND JOY IT WAS PAMPERED. THE MILEAGE ON IT WAS A MERE 74,639. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 20,000

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE. INTERIOR LIGHT WILL NOT WORK.

Mileage: 111,980

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. *AK

Mileage: 112,000

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE OWNER CITED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR BELT VIOLATION. *LA

THE DRIVERS SIDE HARNESS STRAP WOULD NOT HOLD. *NLM. *AK

THE FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CONTINUOUSLY FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE BELT BEING INOPERATIVE. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 88,000

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DID NOT LOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER NOT TO BE RESTRAINED. *JB

THE FRONT SHOULDER HARNESS SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS STUCK MID-TRACK, WHICH CAUSES THE SEATBELT TO REST ACROSS YOUR NECK. DURING ANY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED OR NOT RESTRAINED AT ALL, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY, EVEN DEATH. A CALL (AND TRIP) TO THE DEALER GOT ME NOWHERE, THEY SAY I WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER $500.00 TO HAVE THE SEATBELT AND ITS COMPONENTS REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED. *NLM

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *NLM

THE LEFT FRONT SAFETY BELT BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. *JB THE LEFT FRONT SLIDING TRACT OF THE SEAT BELT WERE REPLACED. SCC

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, CRUISE CONTROL, AND PAINT ON HOOD. TS

THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE LOCK POSITION. IT CAN NOT BE MOVED USING THE MECHANICAL OVER RIDE. A FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE HAS INSPECTED IT AND CLAIMS THE TRACK ITSELF IS DAMAGED AND AS A RESULT, THE MOTOR IS BURNED OUT. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS MORE THAN $500. THERE ARE A NUMBER IF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE, INCLUDING AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY FORD SERVICE PERSONAL THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD. IT IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION, AS THE DRIVER IS NOT SECURELY STRAPPED IN, EVEN WHEN FASTENING THE BELT MANUALLY, BECAUSE IT IS TOO FAR FROM THE SHOULDER TO PROTECT THE DRIVER IN A COLLISION. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769306

Mileage: 100,000

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE IT'S TOO TIGHT. *MR *NLM

Mileage: 69,000

THE DRIVERS SHOULDER HARNESS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN ITS TRACKING SYSTEM. I CONTACTED A DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX. BUT IS THIS NOT A MAJOR SAFTY PROBLEM, AND WHY WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS IS FORD NOT EXCEPTING RESPONSIBILTY. THIS IS A VERY LARGE CONCERN FOR ME AS WELL AS MY SPOUSE.*AK

BOTH REAR SHOULDER HARNESS SEATBELTS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESTRAINT SAFETY BELTS WOULD LOCK ON AN IMPACT OF 5 MPH AND THAT A HARD PULL ON THE BELTS SHOULD ACUATE LOCKING MECHANISM, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT OCCUR, BOTH BELTS FAIL TO LOCK DURING A HARD PULL.

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESTRAINT SAFETY BELTS WOULD LOCK ON AN IMPACT OF 5 MPH AND THAT A HARD PULL ON THE BELTS SHOULD ACUATE LOCKING MECHANISM, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT OCCUR, BOTH BELTS FAIL TO LOCK DURING A HARD PULL.

AUTOMATIC SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. SHE CANNOT USE SEATBELT BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER BROKE THE SEAT BELT AND REPLACED DRIVERS SEAT BELT MOTOR AND TRACK FOR FREE, NOW IT'S BROKE AGAIN. *YD

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHACEING THE CAR. THE REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT AND PULL UP THE TENSION OF THE BELTS. THESE BELTS WILL NOT PROTECT THE REAR PASSENGERS FROM INJURY. FORD STATES THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BELTS AND IT WILL COST ALMOST $500.00 TO FIX THEM FOR US. THE FORD DEALER IN EL PASO, TX (ON MONTANA STREET) LET MY WIFE DRIVE AWAY WITH REAR SEATBLETS THAT WILL NOT HOLD OUR CHILDREN IN THIER SEATS IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THEY SAID THAT IF WE HAD COME TO THEM BEFORE 48,000 MILES THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THEM AT NO CHARGE. I EXPECTED THEM TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS AT NO CHARGE (AND STILL DO).

THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS IN MY ESCORT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND ONE OF THEM HAS NOT FOR OVER A YEAR. I PAID AROUND $120 TO GET A NEW PART TO FIX THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IN 2000 AND IT BROKE AGAIN 8 MONTHS LATER, WE RETURNED IT TO FORD BECAUSE IT HAD A YEAR WARRANTY AND THEY UNWILLINGLY GAVE A REPLACEMENT BUT INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL A YEAR FROM THE ORIGINAL PARTS PURCHASE DATE (4 MORE MONTHS). IT STILL DOESNT WORK ALL THE TIME. THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT IS STUCK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK SO IT CAN NOT BE USED AT ALL. THERE IS ONLY LAP BELT RESTRAINT THERE NOW. I DONT THINK I NEED TO KEEP PAYING TO FIX AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THESE CARS. MY SISTER HAD A 1994 ESCORT A YEAR NEWER THAN MINE AND SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER AUTO. SEATBELT ONCE IN THE 2 YEARS SHE OWNED IT. SO I KNOW IT CANT JUST BE A FLUKE IN MY CAR.

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS FAILED. AT TIME OF FAILURE, SEAT BELT WAS RETRACTING, AND REMAINED IN MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND DID NOT REPAIR SEAT BELTS WHEN VEHICLE WAS OVER 50,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER BACKED DEALERSHIP.*AK

BOTH REAR SEAT SHOULDER/SEAT HARNESS SYSTEMS FAILED 6 MONTHS APART. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF A COLLISION AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RELEASED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT AIR BAG HARD. CONSUMER STATED WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MADE NOISE, SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN TRACK. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEATBELT SHOULDER HARNESS WAS JAMMED IN THE BELT TRACK, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB

THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. NLM

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO GO BACK AFTER CLOSING DRIVER SIDE DOOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

WHEN USING SEAT BELT IT WILL NOT OPERATE IN A SAFETY WAY DUE TO CABLE MOTOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

MOTOR BELT STAYING IN OPEN POSITION WITH MOTOR RUNNING. CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT MOTOR TO KEEP IT FROM BURNING UP. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WHICH FORCED DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING INJURIES TO OCCUPANT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER REPLACED SEATBELT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WHICH FORCED DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING INJURIES TO OCCUPANT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER REPLACED SEATBELT. *SLC

AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEATBELT IS STUCK AND NO LONGER OPERABLE. *JB

DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT NOT WORKING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

MOTOR BELT WOULD STICKS/LOCK UP LESS THEN MIDWAY OF TRACK, AND LEAVING CONSUMER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNLESS CONSUMER PICKED UP EXPENSES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE RESTRAINT IS TOTALLY STUCK, LEAVING HER WITH NO SEATBELT. *SLC

CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT AT APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH. CONSUMERS SHOULDER BELT THAT ATTACHES TO TRACK THAT SLIDES ALONG TOP OF THE WINDOW DID NOT LOCK, ALLOWING T CONSUMER TO FLY FORWARD INTO STEERING WHEEL AND DASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT JAMMED MID-TRACK. THIS RESULTS IN IMPROPER BELT POSITION WITH THE SEAT BELT CUTTING ACROSS MY NECK AND COLLAR BONE. I FEEL THAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE BELT IN THIS POSITION, IT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY FATAL.*AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT MOTOR IS NOT BUCKLING ANY MORE, AND HAS TO BUCKLE JUST WITH LAP BELT MANUALLY. CURRENTLY, SAME PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

MOTORIZED SEATBELT TRACK ON MY 1995 FORD ESCORT LX FAILED. IT LOCKED INTO A POSITION WHEN DOOR WAS CLOSED , WHERE THE BELT WOULD CROSS MY NECK. I HAD TO STOP ADBRUPTLY ON TIME AND BADLY BRUSED MY NECK. FORD SAYS IT WILL COST AN EXCESS OF 500. 00$ TO FIX THEIR DESIGN FLAW. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD DO MORE ABOUT IT.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT HAS FAILED, WILL NOT RETRACT, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SEAT WILL NOT COMPLETELY EXTEND FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

REAR PASSENGER'S SHOULDER SEAT BELT MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK

MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED MOVING BACK AND FORTH ON RETRACTOR, LEAVING DRIVER UNPROTECTED. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY DEALERSHIP AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

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 $430.00 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. *AKY

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 $430.00 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. *AKY

DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDERAIL CABLE MALFUNCTIONED, RENDERING THE RESTRAINT INOPERABLE*AK.

THIS WAS MY MOTHER'S CAR-PEARL LEE. SHE SUBSEQUENTLY DIED-2MONTHS LATER. IN THE ACCIDENT SHE WAS REAR ENDED YET HER SEAT BELT BROKE AND HER SEAT WAS SLAMMED BACKWARDS INTO THE BACK SEAT. HER HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE DASH AND SHE WAS KNOCKED OUT. I BELIEVE THE FAULT WAS PROBABLY IN THE SEAT BELT AND SEAT TRACK. SHE WAS NOT DRIVING FAST OR RECKLESS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY STATE FARM IN DECATUR ILLINOIS. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

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. *AK

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. *AK CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM BECAUSE IT FAILED 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. *YH

THE SPRINGS ACTUALLY BROKE INTO PIECES, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE THICKNESS OF THE SPRINGS - TRANSMISSION ONLY WENT OUT AT 82,000 MILE, WHICH IS ALSO HARD TO BELIEVE. BUT AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO REPAIR THEM, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FORD ESCORT TRANSMISSIONS USUALLY GO OUT AT 60,000 MILES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. THE PERSON WHO IS REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION AT THIS TIME IS GOING TO BEING ON HIS 5TH FORD ESCORT WITHIN IN A WEEK ESTIMATING THE MILEAGE INFROMATION OF BEING REPLACED BETWEEN 54,000 AND 85,000 MILES. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL???? PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT MOVE BACK OR FOURTH, BUT THE MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN. BELT IS STUCK 3/4 OF THE WAY ON THE RAIL, CLOSEST TO THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THOSE TYPE OF BELTS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

DRIVER MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT FAILED IN THE FORWARD POSITION. THIS EFFECTIVLY ELIMINATED THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE SHOULDERBELT FOR A THREE WEEK PERIOD WHILE THE PART WAS ORDERED. ACCORDING TO NHSTA ON-LINE STATISTICS, FAILURE OF A PAT OF THE MOTORIZED SHOLDERBELT SYSTEM IS THE MOST COMMONLY REPORTED PART FAILURE ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. BEING MY PROFESSION IS SAFETY, I AM CONCERNED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN WITH THIS PART BROKEN, DRIVERS MAY NOT GET IT REPAIRED. I ALSO FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS FAILURE INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER. *AK

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. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. IT WAS STUCK TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE RAIL. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM MOVE THE ANCHOR BACK SO I COULD AT LEAST USE MY SEAT BELT. THE MECHANIC COMPLETELY REMOVED ALL COMPONENTS; RAIL, ANCHOR, AND MOTOR. I CAN ONLY USE THE LAP BELT NOW, AND NOT THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. IT IS STATE LAW IN OHIO TO HAVE SHOULDER RESTRAINTS. I AM ALSO AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEIR MISTAKE OF $700. I HAD REPORTED IT TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE SAID THEY HAD TO DO IT. I NEVER GAVE MY PERMISSION TO REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE ASSEMBLY IN MY POSSESSION. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS MATTER. PLEASE HELP. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/60/15 )

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT BROKE. ALSO, SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM WOULD STOP PART OF THE WAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE. MOTOR WOULD STILL BE CLICKING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WAS REPAIRED AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. *AK

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS STUCK IN PLACE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE UNRESTRAINED. *AK

SEAT BELTS COMES OFF TRACK. MOTOR STILL WORKS BUT SELT BELT DOES NOT ROLL BACK. BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSAGER SIDE BROKE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SHE BENT DOWN FOR A SECOND TO PICK UP SOMETHING FROM THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN SHE STRAIGHTENED UP, VEHICLE HAD VEERED OVER INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNED AWAY FROM HITTING A MAILBOX. THEN, HIT AN ENBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER, TWICE, LANDING ON THE TOP SIDE. CONSUMER HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT BROKE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK

MOTOR ON THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT QUIT WORKING AFTER PULLING THE BELT. ALSO, MOTOR WILL QUIT WORKING WHILE RETRACTING BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME VERY TIGHT AND NOT RELEASE CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING. YH

SEATBELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, SHOULDER(AUTOMATIC) STUCK AND WOULD NOT WORK, HAD T WORKED ON, SUUCK AND REPLACED IT WITH A USED ONE. THIS ONE STUCK AND WE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER. NOW THE NEW ONE HAS STUCK AND WILL NOT FUNCTION, WE HAVE PUT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS INTO THE BELT AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. WE ARE VERY UPSET.

SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. WOULD ACT INDEPENDENTLY, RELEASING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. TRIED TO EXIT VEHICLE AFTER STOPPING, & SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED BY MECHANIC NOT UNDER WARRANTY & WOULD NOT REPAIR. *AK

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. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE REPAIR BILL ON THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT SYSTEM WILL BE BETWEEN $300 AND $400. THE FORD DEALER I CONTACTED STATED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THIS REPAIR, AND ARE DRIVING WITH NO RESTRAINT SYSTEM? I CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF PERHAPS A NORMAL SHOULDER BELT COULD BE FITTED INTO THIS CAR. THEY COULDN'T HELP ME.

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. *AK

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

CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELT IS OFF TRACK AND UNABLE T0 BE USED. MJS

THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR HAS STOPPED HALF WAY ON THE TRACK, ALLOWING THE OCCUPANT TO BE UNPRTECTED IN CASE OF A CRASH. MOTOR IS STILL RUNNING ON RETRACTOR BUT SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR BECOMES JAMMED WITHIN THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELT LAP SNAPPED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *YC

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT MOVE BACK AND FOURTH ON THE RAIL. PART OF THE RAIL HAS FALLEN OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. VEHICLE CANNOT PASS STATE INSPECTION WITHOUT FUNCTIONING BELT. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT KEEPS FRAYING & BREAKING. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER'S AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TIMES FROM THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO CHECK & FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE FRAYING & BREAKING IS CONTINUING. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY & DEALER WANTS OWNER TO PAY. *AK

GETTING OUT OF & INTO VEHICLE MOTORIZED BELT STOPPED AT THE CURVE OF THE DOOR FRAME. WOULD CLIMB UNDER BELT TO GET OUT. CAN HEAR MOTOR GOING. WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK & HAVE IT REPAIRED. *AK *ML

MOTOR ON RESTRAINT SYSTEM LOCKED UP - SEAT BELT FAILURE - CANT FIND DEALER TO REPAIR

DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT OR ONLY PARTIALLY RETRACT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *ADJ

SEAT BELT GUIDE BROKE OFF FROM THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. NLM

LEFT FRONT MOTORIZED SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY SPORADICALLY FAILS. THERE ARE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL YEAR ALON ON YOUR WEBSITE AND NO INDICATION OF AN INVESTIGATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 2 YEARS AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *AK

MOTORIZED SEATBELT IS STUCK AND WON'T BUCKLE WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. MANUFACTURER REPLACED SEATBELT MOTOR ONCE, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE INTERMITTENTLY GOES FORWARD TO THE OPEN POSITION WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT GO BACK AGAIN UNTILED FORCED BY DRIVER.

DRIVER'S SEA TBELT DOES NOT RETRACT ON THE TRACK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

FAILED IN 50 PREVIOUS REPORTS FROM 1995-FIX THIS [XXX] THING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONTINUED AND IIGNORED SAFETY ISSUE BY FORD...PLEASE FIX AND NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY AUTOMATIC SEATBELT DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THE WHOLE THING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700.00. THEY COULD NOT EVEN FIX THE SEATBELT BECAUSE FORD HAS THE PART ON BACKORDER AND COULDN'T EVEN TELL THEM WHEN THE PART WOULD COME IN. I TOOK THIS TO MEAN MANY FORD ESCORT WAGONS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART YOU ATTACH THE SEATBELT TO IS POSITIONED AT THE FRONT SO I CAN'T EVEN MANUALLY PUT MY SEATBELT ON. I PRAY EACH DAY I DRIVE THE CAR THAT I DON'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

MY AUTOMATIC SEATBELT DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THE WHOLE THING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700.00. THEY COULD NOT EVEN FIX THE SEATBELT BECAUSE FORD HAS THE PART ON BACKORDER AND COULDN'T EVEN TELL THEM WHEN THE PART WOULD COME IN. I TOOK THIS TO MEAN MANY FORD ESCORT WAGONS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE PART YOU ATTACH THE SEATBELT TO IS POSITIONED AT THE FRONT SO I CAN'T EVEN MANUALLY PUT MY SEATBELT ON. I PRAY EACH DAY I DRIVE THE CAR THAT I DON'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS BROKEN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

REAR SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION ,AND WILL STAY PULLED OUT, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK

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.

BOTH AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS ARE INOPERABLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE BELT IS STUCK IN MIDDLE POSITION, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BELT MOVES WITHOUT WARNING OR DOOR OPENING. *AK

SINCE OUR SHOULDER HARNESS BROKE, WE'VE SEEN OTHERS IN OUR AREA, SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR WITH BROKEN AUTOMATIC MOTORIZED SHOULDER HARNESS'.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN A 3/4 CAR INCIDENT HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS HIT ON BOTHE SIDES AND THEN REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS RELEASED FROM THE RAIL, CONSUMER WAS LAID INTO THE BACK SEAT, THE SEAT BACK WAS BROKEN/ BENT/DISTORTED, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THERE IS AN OPEN IVESTIGATION ATTHIS TIME-(IE-98-074). *AK

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAIL. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS STUCK ON THE RAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

SEAT BELT RECTACTOR FAILED AND CAN NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

IE98074; DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT IS JAMMED AND DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

/PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELT DON'T WORK. WHEN USING THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WILL GET TIGHT WHILE SEAT BELT IS ON, AND THEN GETS LOOSE. ALSO, THE SLIDE TO USED TO TIGHTEN/ADJUST THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT WON'T STAY TIGHT. *AK *ML

/PASSENGER'S SHOULDER BELT AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELT DON'T WORK. WHEN USING THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WILL GET TIGHT WHILE SEAT BELT IS ON, AND THEN GETS LOOSE. ALSO, THE SLIDE TO USED TO TIGHTEN/ADJUST THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT WON'T STAY TIGHT. *AK *ML

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS.

MOTOR SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO OPERATE. SEAT BELT WOULD NOT SLIDE ON THE TRACK. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T WORK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CABLE IS BROKEN AND THE SEAT BELT WON'T MOVE. *AK *ML

SOME TIME IN MID SEPTEMBER 1998 THE TRACKING ON THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT BROKE. ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR FOR THE SEATBELT WENT. THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT STARTED JAMMING IN IT'S TRACKS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY SERVICE REP, AND HE SAID HE WOULD TALK TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER. WHEN I CONTACTED HIM AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CORP ON TO SEPERATE OCCATIONS. I'M TOLD THE COST TO REPLACE MY SEATBELTS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES) WILL BE $760.00, AND THAT IT IS MY RESPONSBILITY. I STATED THAT THIS WAS A BASIC SAFTEY FEATURE AND THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. I WAS TOLD BY ALL THOSE THAT I CONTACTED, THAT SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT.

IE 98074, THE DRIVER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT GETS STUCK IN MIDDLE OF THE SEATBELT TRACK WHICH WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. REPLACED THE DRIVER SEATBELT ONCE. SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AUTOMATIC DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONED AND IS NOT COVERED BYT WARRANTY ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THIS IS A VALID SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED A NO CHARGE TO MYSELF. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $350. FOR A NEW MOTOR. I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE SHOULDER HARNESS.

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE REAR SHOULDER BELTS INSTEAD OF RESTRAINING THE PASSENGERS DID NOT HOLD, AND THE LATCHES DID NOT RETRACT. CONSUMER STATES THE BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE., DEALER CONTACTED,AND STATED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ,AND BELTS WERE NOT COVERED. REPAIRS MUST BE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

BOTHE REAR RESTRAINTS BROKE AND DO NOT RETRACT.

MOTOR BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

MOTORBELTS FAIL TO RESTRAIN PROPERLY.

DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER BELT STUCK. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX BUT IS AWARE OF HIGH NUMBER OF SAME COMPLAINT.

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT TO BE IN A "L" SHAPED POSITION, RESULTING IN THE SEATBELT BEING INOPERATIVE. THE REAR RIGHT SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT BUCKLE IN, CAUSING SEATBELT TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT IS TOO LOOSE AND THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT TO BE IN A "L" SHAPED POSITION, RESULTING IN THE SEATBELT BEING INOPERATIVE. THE REAR RIGHT SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT BUCKLE IN, CAUSING SEATBELT TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT IS TOO LOOSE AND THE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK

OCCASIONALLY THE LAP PORTION OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT GETS STUCK IN THE MECHANISM. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED LAST SUMMER BY DEALER. THE OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT AGAIN. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

DURING REAR IMPACT AT 20 TO 30 MPH, THE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FORWARD, HITTING THE FACE / HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK *TT

DESIGN OF REAR CENTER SEAT BELT DOES NOT ALLOW CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO BE SECURED TIGHTLY. THE BELT LOOSENS AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING.

THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT IS HANGING OUT OF THE RETRACTOR, AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE MECHANISM. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 96, THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SEAT BELT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. *AK

MOTOR SAFETY BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE LOCKED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAILING AND WOULD NOT MOVE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 15 TO 20 MPH STOPPED ON A RED LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, FORCING HIM TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON HIS GIRL FRIEND'S FACE WHEN THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER TO THE SEAT. *AK

THE DRIVERS SIDE LAP RESTRAINT BELT CABLES TWISTED, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BURN OUT. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ORDERED THE PARTS. *AK

THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE SEAT BELT TRACKS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND DEALER SAID THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE UNTIL THEY RECEIVE PARTS. PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. NOBODY HAD CONTACTED CONSUMER FROM MANUFACTURER. *AK

SEAT BELT FAILED.

SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY.

THE SHOULDER PART OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S IS IN THE OPEN POSITION ON THE RETRACTOR. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER ON JAN 19, 1998. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND STATED TO CUSTOMER THAT PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT UNTIL MARCH OF 98.

THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IN "A" PILLAR POSTION, WHICH THE SEATBELT WON'T PROTECT IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE UNDER NORMAL USE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT RETRACTORS LOCK UP TO0 TIGHTLY, CAUSING DISCOMFORT. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL MOVE ALONG TRACK W/DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. CAUSE OF ERRATICAL MOVEMENT NOT IDENTIFIED. OWNER HAS BEEN STRUCK BY BUCKLE SEVERAL TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO GATEWAY FORD ON HWY 192 IN KASSIMMEE FL. 4 TIMES, 1ST TIME NOV. 96 THROUGH FEB. 97 THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE INTERMITTENT HORN GOES OUT COMPLETELY. HE HAS WRITTEN AND CALLED CUSTOMER'S SERV.1-800-392-3673 N. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 25-30 MPH REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH THE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND THE DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND TRYING TO AVOID SOME FRYING PLYWOOD , CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF AUTO AND FLIPPED OVER 6 TIMES , AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD HER. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, CAR WAS AIRBORNE. NEITHER SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE, AND DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED BURNS TO DRIVER'S ARM. *AK

DRIVER WAS HIT BY PLYWOOD ON HIGHWAY AND THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN DRIVER; HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE CAR. *AK

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, CAR WAS AIRBORNE AND NEITHER SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE, DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL; ALSO, THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED BURNS TO THE DRIVER'S LEFT ARM AND HURT BCK. *AK

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT MECHANISM FAILED. *AK

LAP/SHOULDER SEATBELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT, WHEN OPENING THE DOOR WILL NOT PROPERLY STAY SHUT. *AK POSSIBLE WIRING PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS, WHILE DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS AND DOMELIGHTS DIM, RADIO AND SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, DEALER REPLACED A GROUND WIRE TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DOME LIGHT, ALSO VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START, NO PROBLEM WAS EVER FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM. FOR SEATBELTS, DEALER REPLACED BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY AND THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. *SLC

LAP/SHOULDER SEATBELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT, WHEN OPENING THE DOOR WILL NOT PROPERLY STAY SHUT. *AK POSSIBLE WIRING PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS, WHILE DRIVING, HEADLIGHTS AND DOMELIGHTS DIM, RADIO AND SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, DEALER REPLACED A GROUND WIRE TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DOME LIGHT, ALSO VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START, NO PROBLEM WAS EVER FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM. FOR SEATBELTS, DEALER REPLACED BELT TRACK ASSEMBLY AND THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. *SLC

SEAT BELT FAILURE AND NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES TO CHEST AND BACK.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR CAME OFF. DURING AN ACCIDENT.

SHOULDER HARNESS MOTOR/TRACK REPLACED. *SD

LEFT SHOULDER BELT INADEQUATELY LUBED. *SD

DURING IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES AIR BAGS CAME LOOSE FROM STEERING WHEEL BUT, FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO PROPER POSITION, PROBLEM WAS PRESENT SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT TIGHTENS ON DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. TT

DRIVER HAD TO STOP SHORT, AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND TIGHTENED ACROSS NECK RATHER TRHAN CHEST. *AK