2014 Ford Explorer: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · NY

Just last year, I started noticing that both of my front seatbelts are not fully retracting when I am buckled or unbuckled. When I unbuckle my seatbelt, I have to manually retracted back to its position. Also, when I have both seatbelts buckled, I have to manually retracted in order to secure myself and my passenger. This has become a safety issue for me and my family as this is not safe enough incase of an accident. Another issue that I have in my vehicle is the driver and passenger door panel coming apart. This is a safety issue for me as this is causing obstruction of the right rear view mirror by the passenger door panel. Also, the driver door panel has caused scratches to my arm while driving which can cause me to have an accident due to distraction.

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Seat belts · OH

The driver's side seat belt latch does not automatically latch when you put the seat belt into it. I have to press the release button to get it to latch. If I don't press the release button to latch it, the seat belt won't stay latched. The dealership said they can repair it for $700 but I don't feel that I should have to pay for a safety device that is supposed to work especially since it has not been modified or damaged in any way.

Filed May 24, 2024 · Seat belts · IL

Driver side seatbelt is malfunctioning and will not buckle properly unless you press the red release button to get it to buckle you in. If you don't press the red button the buckle will not engage and you will not be able to buckle up. The back passenger seat belt buckles were doing the same thing and we're unusable.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Seat belts · 157,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repositioned. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the second-row driver’s and passenger’s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt connector failed and produced codes: B141B, B140D, B141C. The contact was informed that the second-row seat belt wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Brakes, Seat belts · TX

I have several issues that I have had with the ford explore. This is my second ford explore. The passenger air was not assemble correctly and now is coming apart. The seat belt on the driver sit gets stuck. The car door panels have come undone which is not typical with any other vehicle expect explore. The brakes on the car are difficult to use to the suspension issue. When I have taken my car to the dealer they have not been helpful. They won’t provide a temporary vehicle while my car is getting fix and that not acceptable. I need someone to help me with these issues at no cost. This is my second explore and I love my car but I hate that it has issues that were not fix from the moment the car was sold.

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Seat belts · 80,000 miles · MI

We have a 2014 ford explorer sport and the seatbelt is in a retracted position and is stuck. We had it into ford and they were able to get it temporarily unstuck but it is stuck again. They priced the part and labor and it will be $415 to replace. We are over their safety warranty for mileage. They instructed us to reach out to you to help with escalating the situation to ford. We cannot use that safety belt at all in its current condition. We have always had a carseat with latches in that position so since we have owned it the seatbelt has been used minimally. If you could escalate this situation to ford for a resolution we would appreciate it. Thank you!

Filed Feb 19, 2020 · Seat belts · 109,000 miles · NC

Driver side rear seat belt will not pull out of retractor

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Seat belts · 94,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove into a very steep ditch. During the crash, the 3rd row passenger side seat belt malfunctioned and failed to secure the 7 year old passenger while seated in a booster. The passenger was projected forward making contact with the rear section of the 2nd row seat. The passenger sustained a severe injuries which included a concussion and a head avulsion. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2019 · Seat belts · 66,500 miles · TX

Driver side seat belt buckle would not engage / lock. This became a problem every once in a while and then steadily got worse to the point the buckle would not engage / lock all together. Ford replaced under extended warranty (billed extended warranty coverage company for part and labor) - I believe this part should have been covered by ford directly since it has to do with driver safety. Asked about this part being an issue on other fords and was told it wasn't a known issue. I've owned dozens of cars and have never experienced this problem.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Seat belts · 2,222 miles · IL

Complaint summary: second row inflatable seat belt stuck in out position. Will not retract. Will not pull forward. Concern that this is a material flaw - seat belt is too thick and too pliable. Doubles over in the retractor and becomes non operational. Major risk of injury as this can happen while the seat belt is in use rendering the seat belt inoperable. This happens unbeknownst to the passenger who would not note the inoperability of the seat belt as it is visually behind the passenger and not in sight line. Vehicle manufactured in chicago....updated08-28-14 *bf updated 11/12/2014