1988 Ford Escort Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 12%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 1988 Ford Escort, 12% of the 143 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When opening the doors on the driver's or passenger's side the automatic seat belts will not retract properly. Also, at times the belts will come all the way up, but will not lock into positon, causing the seatbelt light to come on, indicating the belts are not being used. The door light also comes on, saying that a door is ajar.”
NHTSA complaint #831822, filed 1998-12“Consumer was in accident and the passenger side seat belt retractor didn't restrain the person she was injuried . Tt the passenger and driver were injured during the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #975363, filed 1995-11Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 11 | 11% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 12 | 2% |
| 1996 | 77 | 38% |
| 1995 | 152 | 26% |
| 1994 | 79 | 28% |
| 1993 | 109 | 29% |
| 1992 | 28 | 17% |
| 1991 | 71 | 22% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 19 | 13% |
| 1988 | 17 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 12% |
| 1984 | 4 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Escort
75 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology