FaultScore

Ford Flex seat belt problems

35 of the 2,511 complaints filed about the Ford Flex are about the seat belts — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.

35

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

Seat Belts complaints by model year

2009 Flex 4 11.4%

Median failure at 96,000 miles

2010 Flex 2 5.7%

Median failure at 56,000 miles

2011 Flex 1 2.9%

Median failure at 54,000 miles

2013 Flex 12 34.3%

Median failure at 46,500 miles

2014 Flex 8 22.9%

Median failure at 83,000 miles

2015 Flex 1 2.9%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2016 Flex 3 8.6%

Median failure at 61,400 miles

2017 Flex 2 5.7%
2019 Flex 2 5.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

What owners said

2019 Ford Flex at 35,000 miles Belleville, MI

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera went blank and flashed on and off. The contact stated that while attempting to latch the front driver's seat belt, the seat belt failed to retract as intended. The contact stated that the seat belt was stuck. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V829000 (Structure) and 24V951000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The contact stated that the rear-view camera failure was an inconvenience and a hazard due to a disability. The contact stated that turning the neck was painful while reversing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #11755447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Flex Kipton, OH

SEAT BELTS

Seat belt on driver's side is not coming out smoothly. It will remain locked or come out only a few inches. It takes many tries before you can put the seatbelt on. It clicks out incrementally or sometimes it goes on smoothly with no problems. Once seat belt is on the driver, it locks even when the driver isn't braking or pushing break pedal. The seatbelt may also sometimes be locked when braking and the belt will slip out a couple of clicks allowing forward movement of driver. Seatbelt malfuntion or lack of predictability is a safety issue. This problem has been happening for 3 weeks- at first I thought it was high temperature related and just quirky but it happens throught the day across cooler evenings. I have not had it inspected yet but will be taking to the dealership in the next week or so. No pervasive lights are on indicating an issue. Occasionally my airbag light will come on for a trip and go back off before next start up. It is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11750104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Flex Burleson, TX

SEAT BELTS

The rear seat belts come unbuckled. I was driving and about to get on a highway, and my children told me their seat belts unbuckled, another time it happened while I was driving in town. There's been a few others times too. I have not taken my vehicle to a dealer to check it out. This vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. No lights came on when the seat belt unbuckled. It has been happening on and off for a few years.

NHTSA complaint #11701224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Flex at 61,400 miles Bakersfield, CA

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Flex. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt unbuckled independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,400.

NHTSA complaint #11676274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Flex Claycomo, MO

SEAT BELTS

2nd row passenger side bucket seat seatbelt no longer latches. Car has less than 35,000 miles. Seat is no longer able to be occupied legally. My child in booster seat uses that seat belt and could have become unsecured while driving which would have put him at risk if there was an accident or would have had to brake quickly. Seatbelt has not been inspected by anyone at this time. No warning or symptoms of a problem. Problem started 4/10/2023.

NHTSA complaint #11516525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Flex Winter Park, FL

SEAT BELTS

The Driver side seatbelt begins to lock as you pull it down to click it into the buckle. While driving the seatbelt will also lock and continue to get tighter and tighter and suddenly release. It will continue to lock and then unlock while driving. This is happening with regular driving, and not when applying the brakes.

NHTSA complaint #11478347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford Flex Chapel Hill, NC

SEAT BELTS

The passenger side seat belt tightens on passenger while driving. It tightened on one passenger so tight; there became a need to cut the belt off! The second time it tightened on the passenger while driving, but did not tighten to the point of needing to cut the belt. When I took the vehicle to the dealership they didn’t seem to interested in the issue, however the service tech and the mechanical tech reportedly did drive the vehicle (saying the passenger pulled on the seat belt and it was working properly). However the tension tightens without notice on the passenger side front seat and today the alarm for no seatbelt didn’t even come on when the passenger was unbuckled when the vehicle was driven!!

NHTSA complaint #11432717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex Bethlehem, PA

SEAT BELTS

IN SEPTEMBER, THE DRIVERS SIDE SECOND ROW SEATBELT BROKE, THE MALE CONNECTION. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $750 TO REPLACE. WE STARTED USING THE THIRD ROW INSTEAD. JUST TODAY, THE FEMALE CONNECTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SECOND ROW SEAT BROKE. FORD IS TELLING ME THEY WON'T REPLACE THE SEATBELTS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEM. AND I DON'T THINK SUCH AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD BE LEFT TO US FOR A VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. DO I DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN UNSECURED AND JUST HAVE OUR FAMILY SUE FORD WHEN WE ARE ALL DEAD?

NHTSA complaint #11405154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Flex at 98,000 miles Salinas, CA

SEAT BELTS

BOUGHT USED WITH 65,000 MILES, AT 75,000 MILES PASSENGER BACK DOOR SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING CAR TO SAY "RIGH BACK DOOR AJAR" AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON, DOORS DO NOT LOCK WHEN DRIVING, ALARM GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WHY HAS FORD NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS - CLEARLY A PROBLEM. ALSO THE 2ND ROW SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN A NIGHTMARE. KIDS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK - CNA'T UNLATCH THEM. ONE OF THE RECEPTECLES JUST FELL APART - NOT SAFE! WHY HASN'T FORD DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I OWN 5 FORD VEHICLES AND THE OLDER VEHICLES RUN GREAT - NO ISSUES. SEEMS LIKE FROM 2012 AND NEWER THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY AND CARE FROM FORD?

NHTSA complaint #11365953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Flex at 65,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

SEAT BELTS

THE LOCKING MECHINISM HAS BROKEN TWICE ON THE REAR PASSANGER SEATBELT.

NHTSA complaint #11338677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex at 35,000 miles Caldwell, ID

SEAT BELTS

2ND ROW SEAT BELTS NOT WORKING OR BROKEN. DRIVER SIDE IS NOT LATCHING OR RETRACTING, SO NONE CAN USE THAT SEAT. PASSENGER SIDE THE BUCKLE COVER WONT STAY ON, AND IT HAS SOME SMALL SHARP OBJECTS THAT CAN CUT SOMEONE OR MY KIDS.

NHTSA complaint #11306285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex at 101,000 miles Stony Point, NY

SEAT BELTS

THE RIGHT SIDE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE MIDDLE ROW IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE BY THE KIDS AND THE RIGHT SIDE DOESN'T EVEN WORK.

NHTSA complaint #11298148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex at 70,000 miles Basin, WY

SEAT BELTS

FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. FUEL PUMP REGULATOR MODULE LEFT MR AND DISABLED CHILE STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. NO HELP FROM FORD. PASSENGER DOOR SENSOR OUT, LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF INSIDE CAB UNTIL YOU REACH 10 MPH. IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO BACK UP AT NIGHT OR TO SEE OUT OF VEHICLE TO DRIVE. DRIVER SEAT WONT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT TO MOVE. 2ND ROW DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BROKEN FORD WONT REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11267006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex at 86,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT, LATCH, AND UNLATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERRY FORD OF POWAY (12740 POWAY RD, POWAY, CA 92064, (858) 748-1400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE SECOND ROW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT JAMMED AND UNJAMMED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED FORD EVENTUALLY BOUGHT BACK MY CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW BUT NEVER SENT ME A PRE-AID MAIL PACKAGE TO SHIP BACK THE DAMAGED AIRBAG-SEATBELT COMPONENTS I HAD REPLACED FROM MY CAR THE YEAR PRIOR. *JB *BF

NHTSA complaint #11240846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Flex at 87,000 miles Uniontown, OH

SEAT BELTS

HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SEATBELTS RETRACTING TO THE POINT NOW WHERE KLABEN FORD SAYS THE ENTIRE SEATBELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A REAR PASSENGER AIRBAG SEATBELT.

NHTSA complaint #11206208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Flex at 80,000 miles Aurora, CO

SEAT BELTS

THE SENSOR ON MY PASSENGER DOOR HAS GONE OUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO BELIEVE THE DOOR IS OPEN EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT. THERE IS ALSO A CONSISTENT ISSUE WITH ONE SEATBELT, SOMETIMES IT WILL LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO BUCKLE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11204898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Flex Dalton, GA

SEAT BELTS

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BELT BUCKLE GETS STUCK. WHEN THE PASSENGER TRIES TO UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT, IT DOES NOT UNBUCKLES AND PASSENGER GETS STUCK IN CAR SEAT. SOMETIME IT TAKES MORE THEN HALF AN HOUR AND MULTIPLE TIMES TRIES TO GET IT UNLOCK. FRUSTRATING. IT'S THE MANUFACTURER FAULTY BUCKLE. I CHECK AND I EVEN TOOK IT TO DEALER TO GET IT CHECK. THEY DON'T SEEM TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE AND SAID OT WOULD COST ME AROUND $400 TO REPLACE. NOT HAPPY

NHTSA complaint #11186343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Flex at 86,000 miles Duson, LA

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INFLATABLE SEAT BELTS ON THE SECOND ROW WERE DAMAGED. THE WEBBING OF THE SEAT BELTS WAS FRAYED, THE INFLATABLE SEAT BELT COVER POPPED OUT, AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE INFLATABLE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH MADE THEM UNUSABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD BREAUX BRIDGE (337-504-7340, LOCATED AT 2022 REES ST, BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 70517) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #11154203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Flex LA Puente, CA

SEAT BELTS

WELL I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND A LIGHT COME UP SAID POWER STEERING SERVICE AFTER 10 SECONDS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUPER HARD TO TURN AND TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE THANK GOD I DID NOT HIT A CAR BUT I CALL TO THE DEALER I TELL THEM THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING GEAR RACK AND THEY SAID NOT FOR MY CAR WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING AND ALL FORD FLEX 2013 THE PART COST $1300 BRAND NEW PLUS LABOR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA complaint #11114926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Ford Flex at 160,000 miles Milton, NH

SEAT BELTS

THE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. STARTS OFF WITH THE RELEASE BUTTON STICKING, AFTER TIME THE BUCKLE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER IS ABLE TO BE USED. THE 3RD ROW BUCKLE WAS FIRST, NOW THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE IS STARTING TO STICK.

NHTSA complaint #11093598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Flex problems