2001 Ford Expedition Seat Belt Problems

Which parts fail

• Front › Buckle assembly
  10
• Rear/other
  7
• Front
  4
• Front › Retractor
  2
• Front › Anchorage
  1
• Rear/other › Buckle assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  16%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  422%
• 75k–100k
  528%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  528%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My vehicle year,make,and model has multiple manufacturer recalls pertaining to my specific vehicles VIN number. I have 0 unrepaired recalls that have not been assessed and has had zero components replaced under recalls for specific components. Each and every recalled components associated with my vehicles year, make, and model pertaining to my vehicles VIN number are a safety risk at fault and any problems create unsafe conditions for operation of vehicle on the road. My assessment of my vehicles safety risk is high due to the 0 unrepaired recalls my vehicle has not been replaced with new components to avoid these safety risks from component failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the seat belt randomly unlatched from the buckle everyday. The warning indicator chime and the actual indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred for approximately thirty days. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact researched online and found NHTSA campaign number: 01V227001 (seat belts), but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that vehicle caught on fire while parked. Prior to the fire, she noticed a burning smell when she activated the cruise control function. The fire department was notified of the failure and was called to extinguish the fire. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 200,000. A police report was not filed. The consumer also stated the driver's seat belt would become loose. Updated 09/28/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. While driving, the front driver's and passenger side seat belts would unlatch on its own without warning. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact called ramp motors (4869 nesconset hwy, port jefferson station, ny 11776, [phone]) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01V227001(seat belts). The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at a stop sign or while driving, the drivers side seat belt unlatched independently. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Driver seatbelt- Randomly releases from buckle when driving. Happened about 3-4 times already.

Dt: the contact complained about several problems with vehicle. First, the accelerator pedal stuck. The dealer cleaned the throttle body which seemed to solve the problem. The vehicle would sometimes surge forward. She thought the surging was related to apparent transmission problems. She finally had the transmission rebuilt. Part of the cost was covered under the extended warranty. Secondly, the seat belt in the middle row did not retract correctly. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. Therefore, no repairs were made to the seat belt. Thirdly, the left rear door actuator had to be replaced because the power locks were not working. Fourthly, the rear passenger child safety lock did not work properly. Once the child safety lock was deactivated, and the door handle was raised from the inside, the child safety lock activated. …

I purchased a used 2001 Ford Expedition. Shortly after purchase (1 year ago) we noticed the seat belt would randomly release from a securely latched position. We would have to re-latch it while driving, not knowing when it would release again. Obviously a dangerous situation. According to your website, there was a recall issued for Ford expeditions built at the michigan plant from April 2000 through the end of May 2001. Ford motor co. Acknowledged that my car was built at the michigan plant May 2, 2001 and that they did not know why my car was not listed in the recall. The Ford dealership nearby had no idea of a recall issued at all. I feel my car should have been included in the recall. I also feel that all car companies should be responsible for items of personal safety, like seat belts. I paid to have a new seat belt assembly put on the vehicle.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 25 MPH to various speeds, the driver's side seat belt unlatched intermittently. The contact was able to close the seat belt; however, it continued to unlatch when he moved around. The seat belt also opened when he stopped at a traffic light. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01V227001 (seat belts:front:buckle assembly). The failure began in January of 2003 when the vehicle was purchased with an extended warranty, which did not include the seat belts. The dealer stated that the repair would cost approximately $200 at the contact's expense. The failure is currently occurring more frequently. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 139,000.

Consumer called complaining about having problems with seat belts. Seat belts will not lock properly. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call. Seat belts started coming unlatched while driving. At first, consumer thought she didn't latch it properly. It continued to happen more often over the next two months. She contacted the dealer and they stated she had the vehicle too long to be covered. Consumer learned of a recall for her vehicle but her VIN wasn't included. Consumer replaced the seat belt and the second seat right passenger belt also.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Seat Belt complaints in other Expedition years