Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was on my way to work the morning before thanksgiving. I shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear and the back tires hit a patch of water and I started fishtailing. I went off the road and hit a patch of oak trees. One head on. On impact, the seatbelt did not retract and I hit the steering wheel, the dash broke apart and the entire steering column moved with me and I hit the windshield. After hitting the windshield, then the airbag deployed. When the dash broke apart from the steering column moving, it cut my shin which required stitches. My knee hit around the emergency brake release which drove my femur into my hip fracturing it in 3 places which required 3 titanium plates and screws. I had an open fracture on my arm which was the head of my radius (elbow) broken off which had to be replaced with more titanium plates and screws. I broke the orbit over my left eye and sinus cavities behind it. …
1. The front engine cover gasket on my 1997 Ford f-150 was defective. There was a recall at one time on this problem but was checked by a Ford dealer and nothing was found to be wrong. Approximately 6 months later it had to be replaced. Because the recall had expired Ford would not replace it for free and so I had to have it replaced at my cost of $600.00. 2. Air bags and seat belt restraints. My wife had a wreck in the same vehicle and the air bags did not deploy or did the seat belts lock up like they are supposed to. I tried to get Ford to explain to me why that would happen and they said the insurance company would have to handle it. The problem was still not solved. Also the ABS did not work.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford f150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the air bag warning light illuminated. Within a couple of weeks the cruise control was not operating while driving at approximately 65 MPH. The dealer was contact who stated that the vehicle was not under a recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. Updated 12/5/12 the manufacturer was contacted but, did not offer any assistance.
1997 Ford f 150 pick up, 4x4 extended cab driver's seat nylon fabric is worn and frayed. I called local Ford dealership and they said this was my responsibility to replace. I have never seen a seat belt get frayed and worn out in such a manner. I have 18 years as a fire fighter and have cut dozens of people out out cars and never come across a worn out seat belt before. If this belt fails in a crash it could lead to serious injury or death. I will get it replaced but I thinks this is a manufacture defect not operator's responsibilty.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford f-150. The contact stated while he was driving, another vehicle cut him off which caused him to apply extreme pressure to the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. Upon depressing the brakes, he noticed that the seat belt latch was very loose, and caused him to lunge forward into the steering wheel. The manufacturer stated they were unable to offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 166,000 and the current mileage was 168,000. Updated 08/31/2011
While driving approximately 50 to 55 MPH, the vehicle began to gain speed on its own. Trying to avoid hitting another vehicle, the car went into and hit an embankment head-on. Neither air bag deployed, and none of the three seat belts held passengers. Driver sustained face and head injuries. Front passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries. Back passenger sustained head injuries and abrasions. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.
Driver fell asleep while driving 60 MPH, vehicle crossed one lane, bumper got caught on embankment, and vehicle rolled over . Seat belt did not restrain driver, his head shattered the passenger window. Driver sustained head injuries, and vehicle was totaled.
While driving 15 MPH and another vehicle traveling about 35 MPH had a frontal impact, and both airbags did not deploy. Also the passenger's seat belt buckle unlatched at the time of the accident which did not protect the occupant in the accident.
Failure of the driver's side air bag, consumer was involved in a head-on collision and the driver's side air bag did not deploy and the seat belts did not hold, causing injuries to the driver and passenger.
Vehicle was involved in a collision at 45mph. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy, and the seat belt restraints did not retract, resulting in minor injuries. The manufacturer has been notified.
Related recalls
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat elt anchorage attachments are missing or misinstalled on these vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the seat belt anchorage attachments.
NHTSA investigations
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi's database contains one complaint alleging the center front seat belt anchorage was not bolted to the floor.Ford submitted 28 additional field reports and warrant claims alleging that a seat belt was not bolted to the floor, not attached, not hooked up, or the owner complainted that the seat belt was loose.the causes have included a missing bolt, missing nut, bolt hole not threaded, weld nut missing, or bolt not…
Seat belt anchorage separation
Ford notified odi that they are conducting a recall to inspect and, as necessary, repair the seat belt anchorage attachments on 1997 Ford f150 vehicles built from the beginning of production through April of 1996.odi's database contains one complaint alleging the center front seat belt anchorage was not bolted to the floor.Ford has located 60 additional field reports and warranty claims that appear to be the result…
Seat Belt complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1997 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford F-150, 1% of the model year's 2,758 complaints. The component named most often is front › buckle assembly (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford F-150 seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-256 (anchorage, Dec 27, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 19 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.