Check a VIN

1996 Ford Explorer seat belts complaints

Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1996 Ford Explorer seat belts problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Seat belts, Seats · 222,000 miles · WA

Drivers side seat belt receiver does not clasp seat belt. We are taking the vehicle to a local shop to replace the receiver at $100 for the part plus labor. A seat belt receiver should be built to last normal driving conditions. This vehicle has not been in any kind of accident. The driver's side seat collapsed in the recline position on 8/24/2011, fortunately this occurred when the vehicle was not in motion. The recline mechanism does not work, and the seat does not stay upright. These two items are definitely safety issues.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Seat belts · WV · crash · 1 injury

I had a accident on sept 10 2011. I had my seat belt on when I crashed but it didn't catch and actually came undone. The deputy investigating also noticed that the sea tbelt would not even catch into the receiving part of the seat belt anymore. This is a real safety matter.

Filed Aug 4, 2011 · Seat belts · 143,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. The contact stated that the seat belt suddenly became unlatched without force or assistance and he was unable to relatch the belt. The dealer did not offer any assistance and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the latch assmebley needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The current and failure mileages were 143,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2011 · Seat belts · 195,000 miles · TX

The driver's seat belt has failed. The female part of the seat belt will not latch to the male section. The internal spring has broke. Dealership will not replace for free.

Filed Dec 17, 2010 · Seat belts · 195,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact tried to fasten his seat belt and it would not lock into place. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repair. The approximately failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2010 · Seat belts · 96,500 miles · NY

While driving, driver side seatbelt buckle released seatbelt due to failure of locking mechanism. This was entirely spontaneous and potentially deadly if it occurred during a traffic accident. The repair is still pending due to costs and delays as well as response from ford motor company.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Seat belts · 160,000 miles · CA

The seat belt rather suddenly quit working on the drivers side. I think the spring is broken and I am using the passenger seat belt assembly. I did nothing to cause this failure.

Filed Aug 4, 2010 · Seat belts · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact detected the front driver side seat belt buckle would not remain completely secure in a locked position. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 8, 2010 · Seat belts · 120,000 miles · CA

Driver seat belt broken; does not stay latched.

Filed Jan 30, 2009 · Seat belts · 190,000 miles · CA

Drivers seat belt buckle failure.

Filed Nov 4, 2008 · Seat belts · 162,000 miles · NC

Drivers side seat belt latch will not engage. Very unsafe!

Filed May 14, 2008 · Seat belts · VA

I have a '96 ford explorer. The driver side seat belt buckle fails to lock in the seat belt. This safety device should last longer than the vehicle itself.

Filed Mar 6, 2008 · Seat belts · TX

Front driver seat belt wont click.

Filed Jun 6, 2007 · Seat belts · 172,000 miles · KY

1996 ford explorer seat belt comes unlatched 10-15 times per day, driver side only and I am the original owner.....thanks.

Filed Apr 15, 2007 · Seat belts · 174,302 miles · OR

I can't latch the driver seat belt buckle. The red buckle release button doesn't spring"when inserting the buckle nor when I push it as I would to release a buckle. This occurrence was sudden, with no prior warning of possible failure. Until I can replace (or repair) the failed equipment, I need to latch the drivers seat belt into the front passenger belt latch. This action of pulling my seat belt to the passenger belt latch results in my neck being rubbed by my upper chest belt, which is aggravating.

Filed Nov 14, 2006 · Seat belts · MT

About six months ago, the front passenger side seatbelt on my 1996 ford explorer stopped working. The clip would often become stuck and would need to be pried out with a screwdriver or similar object or it would occasionally just not clip in at all. Finally it became completely stuck and the whole clip mechanism had to be torn out. I went to a ford dealership as well as a body shop to get an estimate on fixing it and both said that it would be $250.00 in parts and would be around $300.00 total. When I went to a junkyard to find a replacement seatbelt, they said that the '95 and '96 explorers they had also had the same problem so I had to get a replacement seatbelt from an earlier model and then installed it myself. Now the driver's side front seat belt won't work either. It won't clip in at all. I haven't done anything to fix this problem yet.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Seat belts · 143,000 miles · SC

Vehicle: 1996 ford explorer failure: the driver side seat belt buckle spring failed, and will not latch properly, resulting in release of the seat belt under very light pull. Cannot comply with seat belt usage laws due to the failure of the part.

Filed Mar 9, 2006 · Seat belts · 79,000 miles · AK

Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side front seat belt buckle assembly will not stay secured. The dealer was alerted. The contact is planning on having the vehicle repaired. Updated 5/3/2006 - the buckle spring broke due to wear which resulted in the belt not latching.

Filed Jan 9, 2006 · Seat belts · 12,000 miles · TX · 1 injury

Dt: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt was not properly latching. It would unlatch while in use. The contact had to slam on the brakes and the force caused the seat belt to come unlatched. The contact hit her head. Now, the seat belt will not latch. *ak when contact's husband bought the new seat belt assembly to install it the sales person claimed he sold multiple of these sets, and they worked well.

Filed Dec 31, 2005 · Seat belts · 109,915 miles · WY

Driver's side seat belt buckle does not latch completely. One day later it does not latch at all.

Filed Apr 19, 2005 · Seat belts · FL

Driver' s side seat belt will not stay latched. A safety problem. Does ford even care if I'm killed because it comes unlatched. Thank you fmc. I'll be at the toyota dealership. This is a problem that ford should fix.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Seat belts · 72,000 miles · MN

The front driver's side seat belt latch will not stay buckled, ea02-011. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak *bf

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Seat belts · MA

While driving driver's front seat belt locked, restraining the driver, even when driving at a constant speed. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The cause had not been determined.

Filed Jan 14, 2005 · Seat belts · 104,000 miles · CA

Buckle end of the drivers side seat belt no longer works. Buckle end needs to be replaced.

Filed Nov 1, 2004 · Seat belts · 149,000 miles · NC

Driver's side seat belt malfunctioned. The seat belt unbuckled by itself while fastened. This left driver unrestrained and unprotected in the event of an emergency stop or crash. *ak the female portion of the seat belt apparatus was replaced with a used part from a junked vehicle.

Filed Oct 4, 2004 · Airbags, Body · CA · crash · 3 injuries

Bought ford explorer in 1996, new. Filed a complaint with bbb regarding problems. Nothing was achieved. In november of 2002 was in an accident where the vehicle rolled over, my seat belt did not lock, nor did the air bags deploy, which resulted in severe injuries to myself. Broken neck (c-2, tbi tramic brain injury and broken bones. I beleive the failure of the seat belt, roof stability and airbags malfunction caused my injuries. The driver and other occupant received no serious injuries. Nothing was done to correct the failure as you can see in the numerous law suits againist ford motor co.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Seat belts · MO

Consumer noticed that the driver's seat belt does not lock properly. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the seat belt needed to be replaced.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Seat belts · 126,150 miles · OK

The buckle on the driver's side seat belt is broken. I am unable to keep the seat belt fastened for approximately 1 week now.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Seat belts · 120,000 miles · WA

The driver's side seat belt buckle broke at 120k miles. As a result the driver is not restrained while driving. *ph

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Seat belts · FL

The driver's side seat belt would not latch while the occupant was sitting in the seat. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic told the driver that the seat belt was not covered by the warranty. Please add any additional information.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Ford Explorer?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history