1997 Ford F-150 Seat belts Problems

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. I HAD STITCHES AND STAPLES IN MY FOREHEAD THAT WILL NOW LEAVE ME A SCAR FOR LIFE. I SPENT 15 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, I'VE MISSED A MONTH AND A HALF FROM WORK AND DON'T KNOW WHEN I CAN GO BACK, ACCUMULATED OVER$80,000.00 IN MEDICAL BILLS, AND I'M STILL IN A WHEELCHAIR. ALL OF THESE INJURIES ARE DUE TO FAULTY SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS IN A FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BY MY FATHER AND HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT IN 1997. I WORK AS A RECEPTIONIST AND OFFICE MANAGER FOR A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. MY FACE IS THE FIRST ONE SEEN WHEN PATIENTS COME THROUGH THE DOOR. NOW, IT'S MANGLED AND SCARRED FOR LIFE.

NHTSA ID

11297409

Incident

Nov 27, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

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 *CN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

10481576

Incident

Oct 12, 2012

Mileage

35 mi

TL*THE 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 *LN *TR

NHTSA ID

10405724

Incident

May 11, 2011

Mileage

166,000 mi

THE LATCH FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT QUIT WORKING. THERE WAS NO TRAUMA OR ACCIDENTS. IT JUST QUIT LATCHING. *NM

NHTSA ID

10138312

Incident

Sep 27, 2005

Mileage

100,325 mi

1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK WHERE SEAT BELT IN THE FRONT/PASSENGER VEHICLE WILL NOT CLASP ANY MORE. THERE IS NO DEBREE IN THE MECHANISMS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE SEAT BELT FROM CLASPING TOGETHER. HAVE REC'D ESTIMATE FOR $200+ TO FIX THE "ONE" SEAT BELT. CAN I TRUST THE OTHER 3 SEAT BELTS (ONE OF WHICH IS AROUND A BABY SEAT IN THE BACK). I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR VEHICLE CONSUMER SERVICE LINE AT 800-392-3673 AND SPOKE TO A GENTLEMAN NAMED CARSON. CARSON LOOKED UP WARRANTIES ON MY VEHICLE, WHICH I KIND OF FOUND COMICAL. ON A VEHICLE OF ALMOST 9 YEARS OLD, THERE DOES NOT EXIST A WARRANTY. HE ASKED IF I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND PROMPTLY LET HIM KNOW THAT THAT WOULD HAVE EXPIRED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND YES, I DID HAVE THAT. HE SAID THAT THE WARRANTY ON SEAT BELTS IS LISTED AS 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT? ARE AIR BAGS THE SAME? I HAVE JUST OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON SEAT BELTS FOR THE FORD F150, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS UNDER MY VIN NUMBER. SHOULD THERE BE A FULL SCALE RECALL OF ALL FORD VEHICLES IN AND AROUND THE YEAR 1997 THAT INSTALLED THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF SEAT BELT? I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER 3 SEAT BELTS (AND ONE BEING OVER THE BABY SEAT IN THE BACK) AND ABOUT ALL THE OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE IN DANGER OF THEIR SEAT BELTS JUST GIVING WAY DURING AN ACCIDENT. DONT' WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN AND KILL SOMEONE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO MY SEAT BELT, I WAS SHOCKED. THAT IS THE ONE PART OF THE CAR, BESIDES MY AIR BAG, THAT BETTER NOT EVER GO BAD. THE PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FROM MY SHELL MECHANIC FROM FORD AND HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE NEW SEAT BELT INSTALLED ON TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY (5/23, 5/24) BUT DO I TRUST THE OTHER THREE SEAT BELTS? I SEE FROM THE QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THIS DESCRIPTION, YOU WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT -- NO, THANK GOD. BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN.

NHTSA ID

10121338

Incident

May 17, 2005

Mileage

100,004 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10120168

Incident

May 7, 2005

Mileage

198,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10049122

Incident

Dec 3, 2003

Mileage

53,000 mi

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. *AK

NHTSA ID

10040739

Incident

Sep 20, 2003

HOOD POPS UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING.SEAT BELTS ON FRONT SEATS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY WHEN UNBUCKLED, HANG ON FLOOR BETWEEN SEAT AND DOOR. UPON OPENING OF DOOR, THE LOOSE BELT LOOP FALLS PAST THE DOOR SEAL AREA AND UPON DOOR CLOSURE BECOMES LODGED BETWEEN DOOR AND JAMB. WHEN VEHICLE RE-ENTRY IS MADE BY DRIVER OR PASSENGER, AND BELT IS PUT ON, A FALSE TENSION IS ACHIEVED BY DOOR JAMB SEAL. THIS LEAVES UP TO 10 TO 14 INCHES OF LOOSE BELT THAT FEELS LIKE IT IS ACTUALLY TENSIONED AS TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT. THIS LOOSE BELT SLACK CONTINUES AS THE BELT EXTENDS AND RETRACTS IN NORMAL, NON INERTIA LOCKED MODE. ONLY UPON HEAVY BREAKING, OR FORWARD FORCE BY OCCUPANT DOES THE BELT SLIP PAST THE LOWER DOOR JAMB SEAL AND EXTENDS THE BELTS REACH. THIS CAN CAUSE A FATALITY FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR REASONS. FIRST, ON FRONTAL IMPACT, THE BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE THRUST FORWARD AND EITHER COME INTO UNDUE CONTACT WITH THE DASH OR STEERING WHEEL. SECONDLY, THE FALSELY TENSIONED BELT ALLOWS THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER TO BE PROPELLED TOO CLOSE TO A DEPLOYING FRONT AIRBAG, CAUSING UNDUE FRONTAL CONTACT WITH AIRBAG WHICH CAN RESULT IN INCREASED INJURY OR DEATH. THIRDLY, ON PICKUP TRUCK MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEY DEACTIVATED FRONT SEATS OCCUPIED BY CHILDREN, THE LOOSENING BELT CAN REACH THE YOUTH PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT RIGHT INTO WINDSHIELD. AND FOURTH, IN PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCK MODELS, WITH THE AIR BAG TURNED OFF BY KEY SWITCH, UNTENSIONED BELT DOES NOT RESTRAIN A BABY / CHILD CAR SEAT, LIKELY CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE RENDERED INEFFICTIVE AND POSSIBLY MORE HAZARDOUS IF IT WERE NOT USED AT ALL.HE BELT ASSEMBLIES MADE FOR FORD BY TRW. THIS CONDITION WAS EVIDENT WHEN VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN YEAR OLD , GOT PROGRESSSIVELY WORSE , FIRST INCIDENT FALL 1997. I WAS FIRST TITLED OWNER, BOUGHT DEMO. ELBOW INJURY IN 2003. I'M A FORMER MI. LIC.MASTER MECHANIC .I HAVE TESTED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR FORD VEHICLES ON USED CAR LOTS AND HAVE OBSERVED SAME EFFECT IN MANY FORD F-150'S. *AK

NHTSA ID

10025664

Incident

Apr 8, 2003

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTED BACK INTO THE HOLSTER. THE BELT COULD NO LONGER BE USED UNTIL REPAIRED. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SEAT BELTS DECEMBER 1996 FOR MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENT. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #96V256000. *NLM *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10020063

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. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10018516

Incident

Oct 28, 2002

HIT FROM BEHIND/RAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX 30 MPH; ABS DID NOT WORK (BRAKES LOCKED INSTANTLY); AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON EITHER IMPACT; SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK TO RESTRAIN PASSENGERS. MR

NHTSA ID

768526

Incident

Oct 14, 2002

THE SEATBELT IS NOT CHILD SAFE. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE SEATBELT AND WRAPPED IT AROUND HER NECK AND IT LOCKED UP DISABLING US FROM REMOVING THE BELT FROM HER NECK. MY HUSBAND WAS FORCED TO CUT THE BELT TO SAVE OUR DAUGHTER'S LIFE.*AK

NHTSA ID

759131

Incident

Mar 8, 2002

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD TWISTED, NOT ALLOWING SEAT BELT TO RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSING. HAD CONTACTED DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8003998

Incident

Feb 12, 2002

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEATBELT BOLT THAT HOLDS SEAT BELT TO THE VEHICLE IS BADLY CORRODED. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A DESIGN PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

8003954

Incident

Feb 3, 2002

LATCH PLATE OF SEAT BELT IS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE TRYING TO LOCK SEAT BELT. *AK *YD

NHTSA ID

8003650

Incident

Dec 1, 2001

BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THAT ROTORS FOR FRONT BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUST. 2. FRONT SEATBELTS DID NOT LATCH INTO BUCKLE INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID

882202

Incident

Mar 1, 2001

5 OUT OF 6 SEAT BELT LATCHES WILL NOT EASILY LATCH INTO BUCKLE, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK AFT CENTER BELT IS CURRENTLY MALFUNCTIONING AND WILL NOT LATCH AT ALL. *YH

NHTSA ID

876886

Incident

Dec 1, 2000

I FEEL THAT YOUR SEAT BELT LAW IS A JOKE IF I WAS TO DIE BECAUSE I GET TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE LAW MAKES ME WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL MY WIFE BE ABLE TO SUE THE GOVERMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES FORCING US TO WEAR SEAT BELTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

736930

MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I10EAST IN LOUISIANA AND THE BEAUMONT FIRESTONE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE IT WITHOUT ME PAYING FULL PRICE, 1500 MILES, THE DEALER TOLD ME TO GO TO ANY FIRESTONE DEALER, SINCE MY DEALER IS LOCATED OVER 100 MILES FROM ME, THE ONLY FIRESTONE DEALER TO HELP ME WAS IN PORT ARTHUR AND HE ONLY CHARGED ME A PERCENTAGE FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND I PURCHASED AND ROAD HAZARD INSURANCE, BUT LATER DECIDED TO GET RID OF THE TIRES AFTER HEARING OTHERS COMPLAINT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R16 )

NHTSA ID

729467

Incident

Nov 15, 1997

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DO NOT REEL IN THE SEATBELT. THIS ALLOWS THE SEATBELT TO BE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR WHEN IT IS CLOSED. THIS WILL DAMAGE THE SEATBELT, MAKING IT INEFFECTIVE IN AN ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION THE SEATBELT HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN THE LOCK MECHANISM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK. THIS A CLEAR AND PRESENT SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ID

727951

Incident

Jul 25, 2000

DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, FACTORY WIRING HARNESS FOR TRAILER HAS NO RUNNING LIGHTS. 4 WHEEL DRIVE FAILURE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES. CENTER CONSOLE DOES NOT LOCK IN DOWN POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ID

708697

Incident

Nov 24, 1998

WE'VE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH INSTALLING OUR CENTURY 2000 STE CHILDREN'S CAR SEAT IN OUR FORD F150 SUPERCAB PICKUP TRUCK. FOLLOWING ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOTH CENTURY'S MANUAL AND THE FORD MANUFACTURER'S MANUAL... WE'VE FOUND THEM FORD LACKING IN INFORMATION ABOUT INSTALLING OF OUR REAR FACING CHILD'S CAR SEAT. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS, WE PLACED THE SEAT REAR FACING IN THE MIDDLE BACK SEAT. WHILE THE SEAT DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL SIDE TO SIDE... THERE IS DEFINITELY TOO MUCH MOVEMENT VERTICALLY WOULD WE BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. WE HAVE TALKED WITH TENNESSE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN JOHNSON CITY, TN WHOSE ONLY RESPONSE WAS TO TALK TO A STATE TROOPER. WHERE CAN WE FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF A CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT IN OUR BELOVED FORD PICKUP? IF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED, WHERE CAN WE FIND THIS INFORMATION?

NHTSA ID

706007

Incident

Apr 22, 1999

CONSUMER WAS ABOUT TO STOP AND WAS REARENDED BY A TRUCK. IN RETURN, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED A THIRD TRUCK. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD DRIVER OR PASSENGER, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID

836237

Incident

Mar 25, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID

829375

Incident

Oct 4, 1998