1998 Ford Expedition seat belts problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCHES FOR THE MIDDLE ROW OF THE VEHICLE WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE MIDDLE ROW OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 02/28/06. *JB”

“I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 5 PASSENGERS, AND MYSELF AS THE DRIVER. WE REAR ENDED A CAR ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MYSELF. MY 4YR OLD IN BACKSEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME SITS IN A HIGH BACK BOOSTER, NOT USING THE 5 PT HARNESS. HE IS IN A REGULAR SHOULDER/LAP BELT. UPON IMPACT MY CHILD FLEW FORWARD SLAMMING INTO MY SEAT AND HAVING HIS GLASSES ALSO FLY FORWARD OFF OF HIS FACE. QUESTION ON SEAT BELT. PLEASE HELP!!!!!*AK”

“SAFETY BELT ON 98 FORD EXPDITION WILL NOT FUNCTION. BELT WILL LATCH, THEN WHEN PULLED, WILL RELEASE. THE COVER ON THE BELT IS LOOSE AND IT WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. HAVE CONTCTED FORD 6 TIMES WITH NO REPLY.”

“SON WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER VERY REAR SEAT--HE TURNED IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE WHICH CAUSED THE SAFETY RESTRAINT TO WRAP AROUND HIS TORSO--TRIED TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE--THE BELT BECAME TIGHTER--HAD TO CUT THE BELT TO GET MY SON OUT OF THE RESTRAINT”

“THE SUPPORT BOLT ON THE LEFT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND THE RIGHT SIDE IS BENT AND READY TO BREAK. I DO HAVE PHOTOS. THE SEAT BELTS ARE RIPPING IN HALF AT A POINT WHERE THE BELT IS INSIDE THE REEL. BOTH SHOULDER BELTS ON THE 3RD SEAT HAVE RIPPED AND THE LEFT SIDE 2ND SEAT SHOULDER BELT HAS RIPPED APROX. 3/4 OF THE WAY THROUGH. FORD WILL NOT COMMIT TO REPLACEMENT, WILL ONLY EVALUATE.”