Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 0% | 37,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2014 | 14 | 1% | 57,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% | 54,000 miles |
| 2012 | 43 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% | 61,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% | 25,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% | 148,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 3% | 79,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% | 71,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 22 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 54 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2017 Focus RS (build date 20 March 2017, purchase date 16 June 2017; 30234 miles) had the SRS light illuminated on the dashboard. This started as an intermittent issue about a year ago, and progressed to the point that recently the light is always illuminated. Ford provides for a "Safety Restraint System" warranty period of 5 years/60 k miles; my car is still within this coverage period. I decided to bring in the car to my local dealership Gosch Ford Escondido in Escondido, CA to have it inspected and repaired. A technician evaluated the issue and provided the following diagnosis on the service report: "VERIFIED AIRBAG LIGHT, CHECKED CODES, FOUND B0061:13 IN OSCM FOR PASSENGER PRETENSIONER, PERFORMED PPT, FOUND PRETENSIONER TO BE INTERNALLY OPEN. …
Car had problems with driver seat not clothing in right and sometimes moves back while driving. Seatbelts do not want to click right and have to push in multiple times before you can fasten belts. While trying to accelerate the transmission stalls and jerks forward and vehicle sometimes shakes while driving. Does not want to pick up sorry either.
The coolant/antifreeze tank melts upon the returning coolant/antifreeze where the return line meets the tank due to the high temperature of the coolant/antifreeze and causes the coolant/antifreeze to spill onto the engine. This led to a high engine temperature increase warning and immediately made the vehicle to stall to prevent overheating of the engine. I already replaced the old tank with a new one. Also, the rear passenger seat belt began to fray and it makes it almost impossible to buckle up.
When the car starts, it displays several dashboard warning messages and chimes, indicating malfunctioning air bags, seat belts, traction control, and hill start assist (manual transmission). Dealership diagnosed a faulty restraint control module (rcm) and said the car was unsafe to drive until the module is replaced. That was two months ago, and the dealership still hasn't found the replacement part.
I have contacted you on this matter before and I have just talked to Ford regarding the seatbelt issue and was told that they cant make an independent dealer stand by a warranty I believe seatbelts are a safety issue my seatbelt doesn't retract it has locked on me after I have gotten it back and I couldn't put it on for almost a block when it finally released so I could put it on , it also doesn't lock when I jerk it forward while driving. My worry is if we were to get in an accident and my seatbelt doesn't lock I would still hit the windshield to me that is a safety concern and Ford should stand by their lifetime safety warranty. I am the passenger and the seatbelt on the driver side is just starting to act up on occasion
Unable to control vehicle in light rain conditions. Steering took me straight off the highway into a steel wire fence. Totalled the car with massive front end damage. Seat belt did not lock. Knocked window out with head during impact. The ONLY airbag to deploy was the knee airbag, shooting the hard plastic straight into my kneecap.
When I first purchased the car I had issues from the start. I would press on the gas and the car would hesitate to go forward and then jerk. It felt like I was driving a manual car but I had an automatic. I found out that there was a recall on the car for this specific reason. I took the car to my local Ford dealer in clarksville in and had to wait over 3 weeks for the part to come in. I was not offered a loaner car or anything. Once I got the part it was OK for like literally maybe 1 or 2 months and the issues arose again. I took the car back and was told it was the last time I would be able to get the issue fixed for free. This all happened in 2016. It is now 2019 and I am still having the same issues. Also the passenger side seatbelt works intermittently. And the car doors do not always latch tightly when you shut the door. …
The seatbelts in these cars do not retract. After it is buckled, it sits loose on the person wearing it. Is an accident, the seatbelt will provide no help, causing me, or one of my passangers to be hurt. 3 of the 4 belts in my car are basically useless. This is not only an issue in my car. I've noticed after working on several of these cars (ide assume from the years 2012-2018) they don't work. I have several friends and relatives with a model in between those years, and it can be duplicated in their cars too. This is a major issue, and needs to be addressed in all models of this vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Focus years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (54), 2012 (43), 2001 (22), 2013 (18) and 2003 (16) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford Focus seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for any Ford Focus model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Focus seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (19 mentions), followed by the front › buckle assembly (18).
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.