2014 Ford Escape · symptom sheet
Seat belt or seat problems
- 33owner reports
- 52,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 8, 2025 · checked Sep 9, 2026
33 of the 2,013 complaints on this car describe seat belt.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (11 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the seat belts cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S17.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
NHTSA investigations into the seat belts on the Escape
Safety belt buckle failure. Closed dec 31, 2003, led to recall 03V-507.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“the drivers seatbelt does not retract. The seatbelt is extended all the way loose in your lap. In an accident i donât think it would work at all. Something is broken inside that doesnât allow it to retract on its own at all.”
Filed May 6, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 33 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 316 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 304 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 139 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 126 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 112 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 107 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 97 reports
- Vehicle fire 97 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 60 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 51 reports
- Fuel pump failure 33 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 32 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 28 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 27 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 25 reports