2013 Ford Fusion seat belts problems

“The engine malfunctioned and faulty rear seat belt, it is not available for inspection because it started a fire that destroyed by car. The remains of the car is at a savage yard. We were put at risk because we were driving/riding in the car at the time it starting burning. We were able to pull the car over and park it in a gas station parking lot before it became fully engulfed in flames. I am reaching out to Ford. Since it was not an accident involved, the fire department inspected the vehicle and determine the fire started in the engine. Insurance representative has determined it is a total loss. There were no warning lamps or messages from the car. However, what caused us to detect something was wrong was the thick smoke started filling the car's cabin at which time we immediately pulled over. When we stopped the car, actual flames came from under the hoods towards the windshield of the car and we proceed to exit the car. My granddaughter in the back seat was having a hard time releasing herself from her seat belt.”

“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the passengers was unable to properly engage their seat belt. The contact stated the seat belt remained locked and could not be removed from the base. The contact became aware of a failure with the hardware body of the seat belt after inspecting the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the middle seat belt section of the vehicle posed a safety hazard for his children. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact to call the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NSHTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,179.”

“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat belt sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). The failure mileage was 110,000.”

“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started and the seat belt was connected, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt sensor needed to be replaced due to failure in detecting that the seat belt had been inserted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.”

“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the manufacturer would be notified. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the coolant sensor needed to be replaced due to DTC: P1299 that was retrieved. An independent mechanic replaced the coolant sensor, but the failure persisted. On another occasion, the contact stated that while attempting to remove the seat belt from her child, the seat belt would not release. The contact had to remove the bolts from the retractor to remove the seat belt. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 105,000.”

“When the car interior gets very hot, the driver's seat belt tensioner refuses to disengage, preventing the driver from fastening his seat belt. This has occurred several times, over several summers; this was not just a one-time occurrence.”