1997 Ford Ranger: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Jun 13, 2015 · Airbags, Fuel system · 106,243 miles · OR

Air bags.. Deflating, unserviceable, demand useless, only on passenger side, drivers side dislodged horn fuel/propulsion.. With fuel tank filled, first half(1/2) tank having excessive fuel consumed. Second (1/2) of fuel consumed at owners manual specifications of city and highway miles per gallon. Throttle pedal stiff, sticks, after normal daily warm up, extra foot pressure needed to dislodge pedal and cable, real sluggish as if not receiving enough fuel to injectors, even after regular maintenance completed.. Seat belts.. Drivers side hookup retaining latch malfunctions and " will not remain latched", several attempts need to be made before getting a strong seatbelt clip to latch locked on

Filed Dec 28, 2012 · Seat belts · 86,001 miles · CA

Under hard braking to avoid an accident the seat belt disengaged from the buckle. I have been dealing with the seat belt buckle not "buckling" with the seat belt for years. Looking online I see numerous people complaining of the same problem. Complaints of a spring is missing or broken, coins are stuck down inside the mechanism, etc. This is a defective design! I can only wonder how many injuries or deaths have occurred from seat belt buckle failure. Every day I get in my truck I have to wiggle the belt back and forth to get it to engage. Sometimes I just check after it has already engaged and it comes loose. The dealer solution is to pay them for a "replacement" item, the cost of which is around $250-300... I'll be purchasing a replacement. The only problem is that the replacement is of the same design. I'm asking for help to remedy a life threatening situation.

Filed Aug 16, 2008 · Seat belts · 303,600 miles · IL

While attempting to buckle seat belt, buckle latch did not lock firmly. Further investigation revealed that the latch would disengage with a light tug. There appear to be broken parts or foreign objects in the mechanism preventing proper function. Due to the manner of construction, the actual cause of the defect is not readily visible.

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Seat belts · 72,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the driver's seat belt buckle became disengaged on a frequent basis. The contact checked for debris and dirt in the buckle and stated there was none. The service dealer determined the contact would need to buy a new seat belt, which were not available for purchase. The consumer stated the pressure spring assemblt becomes weak over a period of time. Updated 12/28/06.

Filed Feb 5, 2002 · Seats · OH

Seatbelt latch will not hold securely on drivers side. Called elyria ford and ford customer service, but was advised they would do nothing unless their was a recall. Upon checksing I see that other ford vehicles have been recalled for seatbelt defects.

Filed May 8, 2001 · Seat belts · KY · crash

Was driving vehicle at 35mph and side swiped a fence near an embankment. Driver's side seat belt broke , and failed to restrain driver. This caused driver to lurch sideways. *ak the driver side seat belt was replaced.