[cstires]

I bought my car used, and every since I've had it the friggin seat belts have been driving me nuts.

Both the passenger side and the driver side will not retract, if for a miracle they do, when pulling the belt out to buckle up, they will get caught in the hanger because the belt is pinched or folding up on itself.

Is this a common problem? Would replacing the belts and assemblies take care of it. I've tried having the belt in the seat guide and out and it doesn't make a friggin bit of difference. It's something that should be so simple yet is so damn frustrating!

[Eagle2000GT]

Yes, it is a very common problem. Yes, it is frustrating. You eventually get into the habit of pulling the seatbelt out so that it doesn't twist. When exiting the car, you also get into the habit of flipping the part of the seat belt that doesn't retract back inside the car before you close the door.

[mach1soldier]

Sadly my mach1 did this from day one. It seems to be a problem that doesn't have a good solution.

[Perfectcircle]

there was a recall on the retractors, other than that if it applies to you, there is a how-to thread on how to adjust the tension on the spring that forces the seatbelt to retract. use the search or look at my past threads I replied in, it was just this week I believe that someone posted the link in a thread I wrote in.

[02trueblueGT]

Very common problem on stangs. There was an article on this problem a few years back in a 'stang magazne (Not sure which one, it was a couple years ago) I had this problem on my '02 GT on both the driver and passenger side. I was told to take it to a Ford dealer, and they actually fixed both of them for me for free because they said it was a 'safety hazard' and it needed to be taken care of ASAP. They told me all Ford dealers should take care of this. Give it a try, and if they say no.. Then give 'em hell. They told me if it ever happened again, then just bring it back.

[Perfectcircle]

Originally Posted by 02trueblueGT Very common problem on stangs. There was an article on this problem a few years back in a 'stang magazne (Not sure which one, it was a couple years ago) I had this problem on my '02 GT on both the driver and passenger side. I was told to take it to a Ford dealer, and they actually fixed both of them for me for free because they said it was a 'safety hazard' and it needed to be taken care of ASAP. They told me all Ford dealers should take care of this. Give it a try, and if they say no.. Then give 'em hell. They told me if it ever happened again, then just bring it back.

as I posted right above you there was a recall.

[02trueblueGT]

I only found a recall on Mustangs for the seatbelt retractor for 99-00. But yeah I hear ya, I have had friends with all years of 'stangs with this problem. But maybe there is an active recall on other years I didnt find.

1999-00 Mustang: Seatbelt retractor may have incorrectly formed pin shaft that could, in some circumstances, prevent seatbelt webbing from being extracted.

[cstires]

I've got to figure something out, it's so irritating. Mine is an 03' so I guess the dealer won't be of any assistance other than to try and rape me.

I will search for the thread discussed above for adjusting the tension, hopefully that will be good enough. Otherwise, I guess I will replace the units and see what that does.

[Nightmare69]

Just call the dealer...wont cost you a penny to ask.

[Imran]

Originally Posted by Eagle2000GT Yes, it is a very common problem. Yes, it is frustrating. You eventually get into the habit of pulling the seatbelt out so that it doesn't twist. When exiting the car, you also get into the habit of flipping the part of the seat belt that doesn't retract back inside the car before you close the door.

wow, dead on accurate!

[Perfectcircle]

here
How To Fix Your Crappy Seatbelt Retractors

[02trueblueGT]

Originally Posted by cstires I've got to figure something out, it's so irritating. Mine is an 03' so I guess the dealer won't be of any assistance other than to try and rape me. I will search for the thread discussed above for adjusting the tension, hopefully that will be good enough. Otherwise, I guess I will replace the units and see what that does.

Mines an '02 and from my searching there were only recalls on 99-00 for seatbelt retractors. Call the dealer and ask, they took care of mine for free, as they should. And if they are no assistance, then fix them yourself. And when you fix them, as stated above, dont let people yank and pull your seatbelts out all the way or shut them in the door.