2001 Ford Mustang: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Seat belts · 880,000 miles · TX

The passenger seat has rarely been used in this vehicle. However, the week the seatbelt failed (became jammed in panel as though I had hit brakes and would not release) I was the driver for an 88 year old female friend running her errands while her caregiver was out of town., the seat belt was used for several days. I went on line and found numerous articles and recalls. I contacted my local ford dealer. They implied on the phone it would be repaired at no charge because, once I was on site, rent car arranged I was told my particular vehicle was not a specific recall and indicated I must pay. Now after 5 days of paying for a rent car. I was informed replacement seatbelt had not been ordered pending my approval. (previously it was not explained to it would have to be entirely replaced. Cost of seatbelt $260.42 total cost to install $584.63. My vehicle will not pass inspection as this is a major safety issue. I feel I have been mislead and ripped off by dealer. At this point I am picking up the part only, turning in the rent car and seeking a less expensive install. This is a well documented defect with this vehicle and could have easily been in an accident with no restraint for my passenger.

Filed Sep 4, 2012 · Seat belts · 11,530 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. The contact stated that the vehicle front passenger seat belt sensor broke. The dealer was notified of the failure who stated that the vehicle was not under any warranty for the failure to be repaired and offered no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,530 and the current mileage was 111,570.

Filed Oct 12, 2011 · Seat belts · 11,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. The contact stated that the front driver seat belt was stuck in a partially retracted position. The contact also stated that the seat belt would not pull out any further or retract any further. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2011 · Seat belts · CA

The front seat belt retractors are defective in design. The seat belt twists inside the retractor, making it very difficult to use for its intended purpose. The seat belts will not retract properly and get stuck causing passengers not to be properly restrained. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for warranty repair, however the dealer refused to repair vehicle under warranty. The failure began approximately 1-2 months after purchase and has worsened over time. Problem has gone unremedied by manufacturer or dealer.

Filed May 22, 2009 · Seat belts · 103,950 miles · TX

I recently bought a 01 mustang with 103k miles on it. Not 2 days later the passenger seat belt stopped working. I took it down to our local ford house and they told me it was just odd that it happened to break and would cost 300 dollars to change the seat belt. I did some research online and find that many people have this problem. Either the seat belt locks up and takes a while to straiten back out or like mine it just stops working. One post on a forums said that his 2003 mustang's went out before 50000 miles. I think this should be changed by the dealer because if it is happening so much it is obviously a defect. I have a 95 thunderbird and 01 alero that still have their seat belts working perfectly. Thanks for your time on this matter.

Filed Aug 11, 2008 · Fuel system, Lights · 60,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford mustang. While driving 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the contact was informed that the filler tube needed to be replaced on the fuel system. After the vehicle was parked, she smelled gasoline on her driveway. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 61,410 and failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 10/14/08 *bf the consumer was told the material used for the parts that had to be replaced had rotted over time. The drivers side seatbelt was not retracting and releasing. The headlamps had to be replaced because a haze file had formed on the inside. Updated 10/16/08.

Filed Feb 1, 2007 · Seat belts · 3,000 miles · NJ

Tl*-the contact stated that the 2001 ford mustang passenger side seat belt didn't release. On january 1, 2007 the seat belt wouldn't come out of the holder. The contact never noticed this because no one ever sat on the passenger side of vehicle. The lap and shoulder belt could not be worn by anyone on passenger's side, it will not work. She also stated that the driver's side seat retractor only worked if one played with it. The driver's side belt will not retract into the holder on its own. The contact stated that the dealership has informed her that she will have to pay for any repairs for the seat belt. There was a recall 99v250000 on ford mustangs from 1999-2000 for seat belt failure she thought that the manufacturer should compensate the consumer in some way for the seat belt failures.

Filed Feb 14, 2005 · Seat belts · 30,000 miles · AZ

The front seat belt retractor faild. As a result, the occupants were not being restrained. Consumer stated that warranty entitled her to any safety restraint problems, five years or 50,000 miles. However the dealer refused to repair vehicle under warranty. Iak