2002 Ford F-150 Seat belts Problems

Front seatbelts on 2002 Ford F-150 become unlatched unexpectedly while driving. This has been noticed over the last two or three years occasionally, but has been getting worse. Seat belt has become unlatched about 5-6 times during a 600 mile road trip. Seat belt was confirmed by two passengers that it was indeed latched correctly and nothing pushing the release button. Seatbelt was confirmed to be latched by firmly tugging on seat belt to witness that it was latched. Both passengers confirmed that the seatbelt become unlatched randomly while driving. Passenger and driver safety is at risk. If driver seatbelt comes unlatched while driving or during accident, the driver could loose control of truck and put other drivers at risk. The unlatching does not show any warning signs as to when it will become unlatched. Seatbelt just becomes unlatched and starts to recoil without warning. Ford service just says that the truck is out of warranty and that they dont cover seat belt replacements as there is no open recalls for such. Seatbelt is still currently installed on vehicle but can be available for inspection on vehicle or removed for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11661168

Incident

May 5, 2025

Systems failed. Recalls incomplete

NHTSA ID

11556537

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURING INTO THE BUCKLE TO CLICK, LOCK, AND SECURE THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULLINAX FORD OF MOBILE (7311 AIRPORT BLVD, MOBILE, AL 36608, 1-(888) 241-4640) AND AUTONATION FORD MOBILE (901 EAST INTERSTATE 65 SERVICE RD S, MOBILE, AL 36606, (251) 202-2016). BOTH DEALERS INDICATED THAT A SEAT BELT KIT NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED AS A UNIT, WHICH INCLUDED ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD APPROVE JUST THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BEING REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED ANY SEAT BELT RECALLS FOR THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY ISSUED TWO TSBS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. *TT *JB

NHTSA ID

11130486

Incident

Jun 29, 2018

Mileage

174,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING (IN MOTION), THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RANDOMLY DISCONNECTS. THERE IS NO WARNING OR SPECIFIC CONDITION THAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. OBVIOUSLY THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

11097924

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK AT ANY TIME

NHTSA ID

11088943

Incident

Apr 28, 2017

Mileage

283,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED RANDOMLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER (SIMI VALLEY FORD, 2440 1ST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTACHED TO THE VIN AND, WITH THE VEHICLE BEING A DIFFERENT YEAR THAN WHAT WAS IN THE RECALL, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET AT A COST OF $700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THROUGH EMAIL. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11072960

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES RANDOMLY UNBUCKLE THEMSELVES. WHEN FASTENED, THE BUCKLES SEEMS SECURE. PULL SEVERE TIMES ON THEM AND THEY DO NOT UNBUCKLE. BUT, WHILE DRIVING, THEY UNBUCKLE THEMSELVES PERIODICALLY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

NHTSA ID

11072522

Incident

Feb 13, 2018

Mileage

215,000 mi

ON 2002 FORD F-150 SUPERCREW FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RANDOMLY COMES UNBUCKLED.

NHTSA ID

11066999

Incident

Feb 3, 2018

Mileage

135,000 mi

ON 2002 FORD F-150 DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS RANDOMLY COME UNBUCKLED AND ANY GIVEN TIME.

NHTSA ID

11045314

Incident

Nov 5, 2017

Mileage

227,287 mi

WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A LIGHT, ETC, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID

11014577

Incident

Aug 10, 2017

Mileage

267,000 mi

BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) RANDOMLY DISENGAGE EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING MOTIONLESS. VERY UNSAFE!

NHTSA ID

10995622

Incident

Jun 16, 2017

PASSENGER SEATBELT RELEASES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS EVERY PASSENGER THAT RIDES IN MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

10985571

Incident

May 11, 2017

Mileage

176,000 mi

PURCHASED USED IN 2004. HAVING SIMILAR ISSUE WITH DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IN THAT WHILE TRUCK IS IN MOTION MY SEAT BELT WILL COME UNBUCKLED RANDOMLY. THIS LAST HAPPENED NOV 17TH 2016 AND ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 25 MINUTES OR SO AND DOES HAPPEN ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

10926800

Incident

Nov 17, 2016

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RANDOMLY DISENGAGES WHILE IN MOTION. REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKEN - BLACK "SLEEVE" SLIDES DOWN EXPOSING SPRING MECHANISM INSIDE WHICH IS MISSING SOME PLASTIC PIECES. FRONT PASSENGER HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A COUPE OF YEARS. BACKSEAT IS FAIRLY NEW.

NHTSA ID

10923979

Incident

Nov 3, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER BUCKLING / LATCHING SEATBELT DRIVER CAN PULL HARD ON BELT AND WON'T RELEASE, THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR A RANDOM AMOUNT OF TIME (30 SECONDS TO 3 HOURS) THE SEAT BELT WILL RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING. REPLACED LATCH WITH ALTERNATIVE (2001 YEAR AND DIFFERENT COLOR) 1L7Z 7861203 BAB. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF A SEATBELT'S ABILITY TO PERFORM IN AN ACCIDENT DEFECTIVE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID

10903042

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

DRIVER SEAT BELT LOCKED. UNABLE TO BUCKLE AT ALL. WHEN I PULL THE BELT WILL NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA ID

10895803

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10764639

Incident

Feb 15, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

MALE END OF SEATBELT WILL NOT CLAMP INTO FEMALE PORTION

NHTSA ID

10724717

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

174,000 mi

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD F-150 THE FIRST TIME THE SEATBELT DISENGAGED. IT HAPPENS OFTEN. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS SEATBELT. I HAVE LET THIS GO LONG ENOUGH. I AM CALLING FORD TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. I JUST HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR F150 AS WELL. THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SEATBELTS COMING UN- BUCKLED ON THERE OWN, WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED? *TR

NHTSA ID

10680806

Incident

Jun 29, 2012

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COMES UNBUCKLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676190

Incident

Jan 23, 2013

Mileage

65,000 mi

I ALWAYS LATCH MY SEAT BELT. I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 1983. I NEVER DRIVE WITHOUT MY SEAT BELT LATCHED. FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN MYSTERIOUSLY BECOMING UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I THOUGHT I JUST WASN'T PUSHING IT IN FAR ENOUGH SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD AN ISSUE WITH IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE BECAUSE IT MAKES AN AUDIBLE CLICK AND RECEDES BACK SLIGHTLY RELIEVING ANY TENSION APPLIED TO MY TORSO. FOR A LONG TIME I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY AND I HAD JUST BEEN IN A HURRY OR SOMETHING. AFTER THE UNCLASPING I REINSERT IT INTO THE RECEIVER THEN I JOSTLE IT AND SEE IF IT UNCLASPING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE IT TO BECOME UNCLASPED BY JOSTLING IT AND UP TILL TODAY IT WOULD NEVER BECOME UNCLASPED AFTER RESETTING IT. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE FREQUENCY HAS INCREASED TO AN ESTIMATED 1/3 OF THE TRIPS THAT THIS HAPPENS. WELL TODAY I EXPERIENCED IT AGAIN AND REINSERTED THE SEAT BELT AND JOSTLED IT AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THIS TIME I DIDN'T GET A MILE BEFORE IT BECAME UNCLASPED AGAIN. AHA! I AM NOT CRAZY. OKAY THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE I AM BUT I ASSURE YOU I AM NOT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT HAS TAKEN ME SEVERAL YEARS TO FINELY PROVE TO MYSELF THAT THE SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE. SO BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE UNCLASPING BY MANUALLY JOSTLING THE SEAT BELT WE TELL OURSELVES THAT IT MAY NOT BE THE SEAT BELT. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO NOT TAKE THE REQUIRED ACTION OF HAVING THE SEAT BELT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH MY LIFE AT RISK FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS SEAT BELT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10649319

Incident

Oct 1, 2012

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID

10640954

Incident

Mar 2, 2014

DRIVERS SEAT BELT DISCONNECTS ON IT'S OWN, THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10633604

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

99,000 mi

DRIVERS SEATBELT UNLATCHED. HAPPENS OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586315

Incident

Apr 9, 2013

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCHED. THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,600.

NHTSA ID

10573041

Incident

Mar 16, 2014

Mileage

131,600 mi