2017 Ford Escape: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Seat belts · MA

2017 Ford Escape In 2025 driver's side front seat belt would not retract. Car taken to Balise Ford in Hyannis, MA. Balise Ford did an inspection (for which a charge was imposed) to determine if repair can be done. Seat belt could not be repaired and needed to be replaced. Replaced in January 2025. Information is being submitted since it was noticed that there was a recall for 2018 Ford Escape with seat belt retraction problem. Invoiced for repair are attached.

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Seat belts · MI

The driver seatbelt will not lock when fully extended or in the event of an accident. This will be the third time that I will have had to have this repair done. Ford warrants the part for 5 years or 60,000 miles. I am out of the five year window but I just turned 60,000 miles. Repair will cost upwards of $800. Unfortunately I am not in the habit of checking my seatbelt to see if it works. There was no warning that the seatbelt was not operating properly. If I am in an accident, the seatbelt will be useless. I discovered the malfunction by chance the other day.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Airbags, Seat belts · MI · crash · 1 injury

My son and I hit a deer and his back passenger seat seatbelt didn’t lock and my air bag light came on but they never deployed

Filed May 3, 2023 · Airbags · 20,000 miles · SC · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH the contact struck another vehicle in the middle of the passenger side, causing front-end damages to the contact's vehicle and the passenger side of the other vehicle. No air bags deploy. The seat belt retracted against the contact's chest causing the pacemaker in the contact’s chest to be pushed back, and the contact glasses broke during the impact. The contact sought medical attention to make sure the pacemaker was not damaged; the other driver was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Seat belts · IN

The backseat passenger side seat belt locked up. The seat belt pulls out, but it will not retract without being forced in. This means I cannot have a passenger in this seat, because they would not be properly restrained if an accident were to occur. There have been no accidents with my vehicle to have caused this malfunction, but it is a serious issue. I had it examined by the dealership that sold it to me (Ray Skillman in Avon), and I was told that while it is a common issue it is not covered under warranty or on recall. I was also told that it could be months until the part would get in, because it still has to be ordered from Ford and it is so common that the part is on back order. I was not aware of this until I had a passenger in the backseat (still a new car to me since I bought it used with no accidents reported on it and the dealership does not check the seatbelts prior to sale of vehicles, only the engine), and they pointed it out to me. It is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Seat belts, Seats · SC

When folding down the rear seats to expand storage seatbelt buckles can become crushed, even when doing so per the manual's direct instructions, rendering the rear restraint system useless.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Seat belts · 49,000 miles · SD

Vehicle is only four years old and drivers side seat belt retracts slowly. I also own a 2010 ford escape with the same problem. The seat belt ends up getting slammed in the door which I am sure is eventually going to compromise the integrity of the belt. This has been going on for a few months

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Acceleration, Body · 13,337 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

As I pulled into a parking spot, I took my foot off the gas and went to brake. The car lurched forward and accelerated causing me to lose control. I was pumping the brake, but the car didn't stop, causing me to hit a cement pole on the passenger side, and continuing into a brick building. The air bags did not deploy, but the seatbelt tightened and I got 2 broken ribs and terrible bruising wherever the belt impacted my body. The car had to be totaled because of extensive damage to the body and under the hood.

Filed Mar 31, 2017 · Airbags, Seat belts · 16,296 miles · IN · crash · 3 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford escape. While the contact's spouse was driving 70 MPH, the front driver side tire blew out and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The contact was unsure of what warning indicators were illuminated. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed and the seat belts engaged; however, the rear passenger side seat belt failed to engage. The driver sustained a fractured sternum and contusion, the front passenger sustained bruised ribs and a scraped elbow, and the rear passenger sustained a fractured sternum and collar bone, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed for the seat belt failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,296.