22 of the 1,737 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer are about the seat belts — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 58,000 miles.
22
Complaints
5
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE WAS PARKED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE TO ITS CAPACITY AND WHEN IT DOES IT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800.
NHTSA complaint #10366882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
NAR 2/10/2003. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SEAT BELT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT USED THAT FREQUENTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10008660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10055447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER HAD ALREADY FIXED RECALL 03V280000. ORIGINAL INVOICE WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN MARCH 2003, BUT WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10046601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAME UNBUCKLED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BE THROWN FROM THE SEAT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER REAR SHOULDER BELT TORE IN HALF WHILE CHILD WAS RESTRAINED IN SEATING POSITION.TS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST FINANCIALLY.*TT
NHTSA complaint #8023674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT LATCH ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT GO INTO BUCLKLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8016349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND BELIEVES THE INJURIES WERE AS A RESULT OF THE SEATBELT NOT LOCKING. *NLM *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
INTERMITTENTLY REAR SHOULDER BELT WOULD GRADUALLY TIGHTEN DOWN ON OCCUPANT WHILE DRIVING. HAS TO UNLATCH BUCKLE TO UNTIGTHEN SHOULDER BELT. TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR DULICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS PROBELM.
NHTSA complaint #882279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELT LATCH. MY 9 YEAR OLD WAS PUTTING ON THE SEATBELT WHEN THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE SEATBELT LATCH CAME OUT OF THE HOUSING. THE INTERNAL PARTS CAME OUT INTACT. IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEATBELT WOULD HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DEALERS FEEL IT ALSO IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON ANYTHING ELSE, ALL THREE CALLS I RECIEVED, ONE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND TWO FROM RECOMENDED DEALERS ALL FOCUS ON THE SEATBELT. NO MENTION IS MADE OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS (UNTIL I BRING IT UP), BUT THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE SEATBELT IMMEDIATLY.
NHTSA complaint #738727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ON 11/24/00 I HIT A DEER GOING 45-50 MPH. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. THE FRONT FENDER OF MY TRUCK IS CRACKED. THE LICENSE PLATE FLEW 100 HUNDRED FEET AS DID THE DEER. WINNER FORD SAID THAT THE IMPACT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO LOCK THE SEAT BELTS OR CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO INFLATE. THIS WAS SAID WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE TRUCK. ON 11/26/00 I WAS BRINGING THE TRUCK TO WINNER FORD, THE TRUCK THEN SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER AS IF IT WAS STILL ON. ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS SEEN THAT YOU COULD SEE THE METAL BEHIND THE PLASTIC CASING. THERE WAS A GAP OF A 1/4 INCH OR MORE. THE TRUCK SHUT OFF 3 MORE TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE ELECTRIC MODUAL CHANGED. THE FIRST TIME I WENT THEY TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN DONE, BUT IT WAS NOT. SO I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK A SECOND TIME AFTER MY WIPERS WERE MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #736882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN A CAR ATTAMPTED TO CHANGE THE LANES AND HIT MY CAR. THE OTHER CAR WAS TURNED ACROSS MY LANE AND I HIT THE CAR WITH MY FRONT RIGHT SIDE, THEN MY CAR WAS PUSHED ONTO THE CONCRETE DIVIDER AND I HIT THE DIVIDER WITH MY FRONT LEFT SIDE, ALL WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH. THE PASSANGER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK UP, AND MY WIFE WAS THROWN ON THE DASHBOARD. I ALSO HIT THE STEARING WHEEL WITH MY HEAD, AND BECAUSE I WEAR GLASSES I HAVE SOME FACIAL INJURIES. AT THE WHOLE TIME WHEN THE ACCIDEND OCCURED, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #736553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND FROM THE HOUSING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERABLE. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH IN THE BUCKLE HOUSING MECHANISM, CAUSING BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. ALSO, EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS; WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND FROM THE HOUSING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERABLE. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH IN THE BUCKLE HOUSING MECHANISM, CAUSING BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. ALSO, EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS; WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP UPON IMPACT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVNIG AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER'S/ FRONT PASSENGER'S, AND REAR PASSENGER OCCUPANTS TIGHTENED UP WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER.
NHTSA complaint #863267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT FULLY RETRACT, CAUSING THEM TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOORS WHEN THE DOORS ARE BEING SHUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #856450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY.MJS
NHTSA complaint #546525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILS TO LATCH PROPERLY. THE LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE. THE LATCH PLATE WILL NOT STAY IN BUCKLE. WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF FAILURE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #853050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT / REAR SHOULDER BELTS RIDE UP ON THE NECKS OF THE DRIVER & PASSENGERS. IF DRIVER OR PASSENGERS ARE UNDER 5 FT., THE BELT WILL NOT STAY ON THEIR SHOULDER AREA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER & CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT NO ADJUSTMENT CAN BE MADE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
MAJOR DEFECT WITH OUR COSCO DREAMRIDE CARBED. THE CARSEAT IS HINGED TO PROVIDE AN UPRIGHT OR RECLINED "BED" POSITION, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU INSTALL IT IN YOUR CAR. WHEN LIFTING THE SEAT OUT OF MY CAR (IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION) THE SEAT FOLDED IN ON ITSELF AT THE HINGED JOINT, WITH MY 3MO OLD SON INSIDE. HE WAS NOT HURT BUT THE CARSEAT WAS NO LONGER USABLE. I CONTACTED COSCO IMMEDIATELY, RETURNED THE SEAT TO THEM AND RECEIVED A FULL REFUND. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD THE CARSEAT EXAMINED AT A USAA SEAT INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD NOT TO USE THE SEAT IN THE "BED" POSITON BECUASE IT COULD NOT BE INSTALLED SECURELY IN THAT POSITION. WHEN I CONTACTED COSCO THE CSR TOLD ME THAT THE BABY'S WEIGHT (???) WOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE SEAT STABLE!! I THINK NOT! ANWAY, I AM HORRIFIED AT THE THOUGHT THAT AN INNOCENT BABY IS RIDING AROUND IN ONE OF THESE DREAMRIDE SEATS AND THAT THEIR PARENT THINK IT WILL HELP PROTECT THEIR PRECIOUS CARGO. I AM GOING TO PASS THIS INFO ON TO ANYONE INTERESTED. I HOPE THESE SAFETY HAZARDS WILL BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!
NHTSA complaint #708837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
A CHILD PASSENGER SEATED IN A BOOSTER SEAT BECAME ENTANGLED BY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT. THE BELT WAS ENGAGED IN THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR MODE AND WAS ALSO TWISTED ABNORMALLY. WHEN THE BELT WAS UNBUCKLED, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR MODE CAUSED ALL OF THE SLACK TO BE DRAWN UP INTO THE MECHANISM AND THE REMANING PORTION OF THE BELT BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT SURROUNDING THE CHILD'S MIDSECTION. SINCE THIS MODE DOES NOT ALLOW ANY SLACK TO BE GIVEN BACK, AND NO OVERRIDE PROVIDED, THE BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN HALF TO REMOVE THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #707301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.