Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% | 89,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 17 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 24 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 75 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 100 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 0% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% | 123,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 0% | 111,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% | 150,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% | 22,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the front driver side seat belt did not buckle appropriately, another vehicle driving at an unknown speed moved to the left lane, then the other vehicle changed lanes again moving in front of the contact, and the other vehicle abruptly depressed on the brakes causing the contact to rear end him. The vehicle came to a stop and merged into the shoulder. The vehicle was damaged on the front driver's and passenger's side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver's and passenger's side air bags did deploy however the seat belt did not retract the contact, causing the contact to be injured. There was no property damage. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion and his eyes swelled shut. It was unknown if the other driver in the other vehicle sustained any injuries. …
The Accessory power interface module has failed. It receives inputs from a variety of sensors, some hardwired directly to it, while most are sent over the bus communications system from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). These inputs allow the module to communicate with the steering wheel controls, the radio, navigation system and the consumer's personal cell phone via Bluetooth. When I contacted Ford they said there was nothing they were able to do because there is no active recall for this model/year. I strongly feel as if this is a safety hazard due to not only my steering wheel controls being inoperable, but my cruise control, HVAC system, and navigation system, rear camera system, audio system, Bluetooth, to be faulty and not work. Additionally the on the driver seat the part that the seat belt clicks into broke
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact stated while parked and attempting to fasten the rear passenger's side and driver's side seat belts, the seat belts failed to retract. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the seat belts could not be ordered because the seat belts had been discontinued. The approximate mileage was 70,000.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver's side selt belt does not latch all the time. Yes can be inspected. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If the seat fails, injury can occur in a crash Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Appointment is July 18 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no
Driver side seat belt suddenly stopped working. Initially it was stuck and would not deploy. Eventually it released and was able to be drawn and buckled, but does not restrain passenger when tested manually; driver was not restrained when the car was braked quickly. rom 35 mph to a full stop. There is a December 5, 2016 NHSTA recall on front seat belts May not restrain Occupants (NHSTA Campaign number 16V875000) and and a Ford Recall number 16S42. Car was purchased from a Ford dealer in 2018-2019 as a used vehicle. Current dealer indicates it may cost from $400-1200 to replace the seat belt.
After the car has been sitting in the sun with the sun shining on the drivers side door, on a warm day, the seatbelt on the driver side cannot not be extracted until the car cools down. This has happened several times. I have talked to the dealer and he says that he has not seen this problem before. I have googled the issue and it appears that I am not the only one who has had this problem. I've had to drive several times without using my seatbelt as I cannot use the seatbelt.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact while attempting to came to a complete , the contact stated felt a Boeing feeling coming for the brake panel before coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was not able to be determined. On a separate occasion, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and her child was saying his seat beat in the rear passenger side was tight on him, The contact pulled over and pulled and attempting to pull the seat beat loosen the seat belt but it would not loosen up. The contact shut off the vehicle so the seat beat to loosen but it still would not loosen. The contact had to cut the seat beat to unstrap her child. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that there were no recalls on the rear seat belt. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approx. 80,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while parked, upon starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact noticed later that the air bag warning light had remained illuminated; however, the warning light turned off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front passenger's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired due to the contact declining service because she previously had the dealer replace the seat position sensor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline; however, a case was not opened. The failure mileage was 41,690.
Related recalls (4)
Seat belts › Front
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts › Front
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured from March 10, 2016, through March 16, 2016. The front driver seat track assembly's rear riser may have been improperly welded to the seat track rail, and as a result, the driver may not be adequately restrained in a crash.
Remedy: Ford quarantined the affected vehicles at dealerships prior to their sale. Dealers will replace the front driver seat track rail, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2016. Ford's number for this recall is 16C05.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fusion years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (100), 2014 (75), 2015 (24), 2016 (17) and 2006 (9) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Ford Fusion seat belt problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 19V-590 (front, Aug 12, 2019); 16V-875 (front, Dec 5, 2016); 16V-250 (anchorage, Apr 27, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Fusion seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (3 mentions), followed by the front (2).
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.