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Seat beltsPart report

1998 Ford Escort Seat belts Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
5%of 375 total for the year
Median mileage
85,878miles
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 1998 Ford Escort, 5% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,878 miles. 9 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.

“My son was driving my 1998 Ford Escort lx on a 35 MPH road when the driver in front of him slammed on his brakes. My son immediately tried to stop the car, but he rear-ended the other car before he could come to a complete stop. During the impact, the driver's seat belt did not lock in place and the dual airbags did not deploy - allowing my son's upper body to continue forward until his face hit the steering wheel. The lap belt functioned properly, holding my son's lower body in place.”

NHTSA complaint #10247134, filed 2008-10, 90,000 miles

“Vehicle's rear seat belts are locking in the retract position and wouldn't release. Consumer is unable to properly retrain children in css. The dealership indicated the seat belt system needs replacement in order the correct problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10031584, filed 2003-07, 92,000 miles

“I have had this problem since I purchased the vehicle, as you are driving the back of the seat will drop down. I had taken it in to the service center and made comment of this to which I was told I have never heard anything like it before. What I have found out over the years and miles, is that the seatbelt strap at the lap can catch on the release lever of the seat and any shifting in position will pull on the lever and release the seat back. This is just a warning to others as it can cause a fatal accident as it catches the unsuspecting driver off guard when the back of your seat falls. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070873, filed 2004-01

“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Escort. While driving between 35-40 MPH, rear ended another vehicle. At the time of the crash, the air bags failed to deploy. Both occupants were wearing seat belts, but that did not prevent them from being thrown to the front of the vehicle and injured. The driver sustained injuries to the head and face. A police report was filed. The vehicle was partially destroyed and the front bumper, bumper support, radiator and support, air conditioner condenser, and power steering reservoir were damaged. The failure and current mileages were 81,756.”

NHTSA complaint #10239844, filed 2008-08, 81,756 miles

“Seatbelt retractors in the back of vehicle continually tighten, and will not allow for consumer to lean or move forward. Consumer has to release buckle and reattach buckle in order have freedom of movement. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”

NHTSA complaint #888761, filed 2001-05

Seat belts: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200123%
20001111%
1999165%
1998175%
1997122%
19967738%
199515226%
19947928%
199310929%
19922817%
19917122%
19901010%
19891913%
19881712%
198735%
198612%
1985312%
1984419%
1983114%

Other parts of the 1998 Ford Escort

Air bags
75 complaints
Suspension
50 complaints
Engine cooling
49 complaints
Electrical system
43 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
43 complaints
Brakes
35 complaints
Fuel system
22 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Equipment
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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