1996 Ford Contour: seat belt won't latch or retract

6 of the 562 complaints about the 1996 Ford Contour describe seat belt won't latch or retract.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Seat belt won't latch or retract by model year

2000
1
1999
8
1998
7
1997
2
1996
6
1995
13

What owners say

Filed Jun 6, 2002 · Seat belts · CA

Both rear seat belts failed to extend outward with one of the seat belt retractors trapping a child at one point. Second failure was that seat belt buckles/latches have fallen apart. Rear seat belts were not usable at all except middle lap belt. Please describe details.

Filed Apr 18, 2001 · Seat belts · MI

Passenger's seat belt has become jammed within retracting mechanism, and would not release, causing seat belt to become inoperable. Please give any further details.

Filed Sep 8, 2000 · Electrical · FL

What exactly are they recalling on the 1996-1998 ford contour? Is it the whole car or just the electric system? Is that considered the wiring harness? The reason we're so interested is because we've had many major problems with our 1996 ford contour. We sent our car to the ford of ocala,fl for the wiring harness recall, and they gave us a very hard time about fixing it. They were trying to get us to replace parts that weren't even bad, at the cost of $400.00 for one part. But then they said there was a whole list of things that were wrong with it, and after they fixed each of these parts, if our car still didn't start, then they'd get to fixing the wiring harness. We had 2 mechanics check these parts and they weren't bad at all. It took them 2 and a half weeks before they gave us our car back.then when we got it back, we had to take it to our regular mechanic who said they wired it wrong, and left the wiring to the air-conditioning and the alternator undone. That was 2 months ago, and we just had to replace our alternator. The mechanic that fixed the alternator said they did a lousy job, because half the wiring wasn't even done right. There is wiring in our car that is bare, and he said it could cause our car to catch on fire. Also, the wiring leading to the alternator is bare, which he said most likely shorted out the alternator. So now we need to have the wiring redone, and all of this has cost us hundreds of dollars. This car is the worst car ever made, we've had nothing but problems with it from the day we gotit! We had the air fixed, and after they did the recall, the air no longer worked anymore. Also, after they worked on the recall, there are many wires that are still cracked and brittle, and left bare. The wiring to the battery is completely bare, also, and we've had to replace the battery 3 times since we've had the car. The seatbelt locks up while driving where it is so tight I can't move at all.we're afraid it will catch fire! Also more problems!

Filed Nov 24, 1998 · Airbags, Seat belts · WA · crash · 1 injury

My son was involved in a traffic accident where the car rolled over and hit numerous trees. Both air bags did not open and the seat belt broke away... Miracously my son ended up in the back seat with only a modest bump on his head. .... Witnessess as well as the towing/wrecking yard could not believe there were no serious injuries, especially considering the condition of the vehicle... When purchasing the auto I recall that safety reports were generally favorable... Given the impact of this accident it is incredible that the airbags did not open and that the seat belt broke away...

Filed Dec 23, 1997 · Seat belts · MD

Seat belt buckle failed.

Filed Jul 12, 1996 · Seat belts · PA

Front lap seat belt failed to secure child.