Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that her mother observed that the driver's seat belt failed to retract properly over time and failed to secure the driver as intended. The contact stated that the seat belt was very loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Drivers side seat belt retractor or pretensioner does not work. You have to physically push the seat belt back into place. I feel if I were to get in an accident the seat belt would not help me. The vehicle only has 65,400 miles on it. I feel this is unacceptable and Ford should fix this as a safety issue. The dealer gave a estimate to fix this problem and I believe their estimate is unacceptable at $535 for parts and labor.
the drivers seatbelt does not retract. The seatbelt is extended all the way loose in your lap. In an accident i don't think it would work at all. Something is broken inside that doesn't allow it to retract on its own at all.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Ford Escape. While driving 20-25 MPH, a vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the front quarter panel of the other vehicle. The seat belt failed to retract and the driver's side door air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder and hand, which required medical attention. The passenger was not injured. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot and deemed destroyed by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 99,000. Consumer also stated driver side airbag and seat belt failed. Consumer 's right side hit against seat belt buckle, causing her to severly bruise with injury. …
I was in a automobile accident when another car failed to yield right of way. My drivers side door airbag failed to deploy. My seat belt also did not hold me tight in the seat. I had shoulder and neck injuries. I called Ford motor co. They have refused to do anything. My car is a total loss.
Purchased from Ford dealership while living in new york. Under the warranty, check engine light came on and fuel line was repaired in 2016 (Ford co), I never received any correspondence regarding any recalls from Ford comp. Same issue occurred and I had to pay $2K to repair it because I was not aware of any recalls. I moved to waxhaw, nc in 2017. After the same issue occurring, I called the Ford motor company in lancaster, sc (moved here in 01/2020). I found out about the multiple "recalls" only when I called Ford co in lancaster. I was never mailed any recalls. The Ford co found recalls and I took it to them on 3/11/2020. Note that they did not offer me a loaner car, even though it was recall work . I picked it up the same day and two days later, it overheated yet again. I called Ford co and spoke to jatoya and jamie. …
My car was stopped in traffic and some one hit it from back coming at a speed of approx. 35-40 miles/hour. Driver and front passengers hit their faces and knees on dashboard. Both seat belts (driver side and passenger side) did not restrain and stop passengers moving forward. We have noticed this problem on both seat belts (driver and passenger side) on this car (2014 Ford Escape se) since we have owned this car that both seat belts (driver and passenger side) are very lose and does not restrain when pulled suddenly. This caused the bruising of faces and knees of passengers in this accident. If seat belts were working properly and restraining properly this would not have happened. This problem could have been worse or life threatening if a similar accident would have occurred on a highway. I now have told a Ford dealer to check it. …
The community I live is landlocked (juneau, alaska) and the one Ford dealership closed its doors a year and half later; since this time there is still not Ford dealership or authorized Ford garage in the juneau area to correct these six recalled items - Ford tells my I have to take it to dealer myself, however the cost to transport the 2014 Escape would cost in the thousands in transportation cost. I've called Ford several times over the years, and refused to send to send a technician or offer a local repair shop to fix these recalled items; some of recalled items are pretty serious (possible engine fire, and transmission slipping in or out gear). Please help as I try to get Ford to fix, but they offer nothing more expensive cost to me for defective product. Thank you, [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the seat belt assembly was unstable and made rattling and popping noises. The contact stated that the failure caused the seat belts to lock in one place and would not adjust. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed and replaced the seat belt assembly. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified and a regional inspector was dispatched to inspect the failure. The seat belt assembly was replaced again, including adding insulation to reduce the noise. The failure recurred four times and was repaired three times, but the noise could still be heard. The failure mileage was 25,000.
The rear seat belt buckles are stuck underneath the seats. I was able to force one up by reaching my arm underneath but the plastic is bent up and the latch does not push in making it inoperable. It appears there is metal piece on the edge of the seat cushion that keeps the seat belt buckles from coming up to top side of seat where they would be accessible to passengers. I am not sure if this problem was like this when I purchased the vehicle or if it occurred when the seats were folded down at some point. I only discovered it when a family member was riding in back seat and was unable to find the seat belt latches.
Related recalls
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat Belt complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2014 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the seat belts of the 2014 Ford Escape, 1% of the model year's 2,089 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Escape seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-597 (seat belts, Sep 26, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Escape seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to seat belts problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.