2011 Ford Escape: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Electrical, Seat belts · IN

The rear hatch clicks like it wants to open but doesn't release the latch to open it and I can't get to the place to release an lower the spare tire which is safety concern to me. Also the driver side seat belt casing broke and doesn't release every time you push button to unlatch it which can cause serious problems if in an accident I had a individual garage guy inspect an said he had replaced several latch mechanisms in the hatch for several escape owners i can't afford to have it replaced at this time. If we're to have a flat in extreme heat or extremely cold weather it can cause heat stroke or hypothermia. There were no warning signs one day wouldn't open. An seatbelt wouldn't release one day until pushed so hard the casing broke off an could push clip inside

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · 120,326 miles · FL

Airbag light on/ flashing. Shop says "passenger side seat belt retractor assembly" needs replaced. I switched it with a known working part, didn't fix the issue. Upon further research I found that it is a known issue. Source: [XXX] April 1, 2011 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: SIS-21841 Components: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the federal safety agency ID Number: 10038965 Manufacturer Communication Number: SIS-21841 Summary: COMM-TRANS LUND: SOME 2009-2011 MODELS MAY HAVE THE AIR BAG INICATOR FLASHING WITH A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. *RM I have contacted both local dealerships, as well as Ford corporate. The remedy they all 3 offered: Take it in for diagnostics (I'm already fully aware of the issue) which will cost me around $300, then they will tell me if there's even a possibly solution. They were completely unwilling to tell me if they could fix the software issue without first paying for their diagnostic service, even though it's a known and recorded issue, with the federal safety agency ID Number: 10038965 as well as the Manufacturer Communication Number: SIS-21841. Upon researching complaints, I have found that I am by far not the only person who has this exact issue. Note: "date of incident" is when I purchased the vehicle, mileage is the mileage at the time of purchase, it has had the light on since before that date and mileage. I tried to resolve this issue then, and recently have been trying again, in hopes that there has been a fix found finally, to no avail. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Seat belts · 64,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt failed to operate properly, and the retractor malfunctioned. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Seat belts · 68,700 miles · IL

Seat belt buckle releases multiple times after clicking in while driving. It has happened several times.

Filed Jun 15, 2011 · Airbags, Seat belts · 75 miles · CT · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact rented a 2011 ford escape. While the contact was driving less than 20 MPH approaching an intersection an opposing vehicle suddenly crashed into the front end of the contacts vehicle causing a head on collision. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder, chest, and to the left arm and leg. The air bags failed to deploy. The seat belt unlatched from the buckle mechanism during the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and was towed to an impound facility. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 75.