Ford Escape: Seatbelt Systems / General Procedures - Locked Seatbelt Retractor Releasing

Repair

NOTE: If the seatbelt webbing does not extract from the seatbelt retractor from the stowed position, this may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatbelt retracts at a high rate of speed. Follow these steps to release the seatbelt.

Front row seatbelt retractor

NOTE: Typical front outboard seatbelt retractor shown, other configurations similar.

NOTE: To unlock the seatbelt retractor, only a few millimeters of seatbelt are necessary to retract back onto the seatbelt retractor spool.

1. Slowly lower the seatbelt shoulder height adjuster allowing the seatbelt to retract back onto the seatbelt retractor spool. If the seatbelt shoulder height adjuster is all the way down, proceed to step 3.
   

1. Slowly extract the seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor. If the seatbelt does not extract, proceed to the next step.
   

1. Firmly pull and extract as much seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor as possible.
   

1. 1. Slowly feed the seatbelt slack back into the retractor to unlock it.
      
   2. Slowly extract the seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor. If the seatbelt does not extract, proceed to the next step. If the seatbelt does extract, proceed to step 8.
      

1. Remove the fastener and detach the seatbelt anchor or seatbelt anchor and pretensioner. REFER to the appropriate removal and installation procedure in this section.
   

1. 1. Slowly feed the seatbelt slack back into the retractor to unlock it.
      
   2. Slowly extract the seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor. Proceed to the next step.
      

1. • If the seatbelt does not extract, install a new seatbelt retractor. Refer to the appropriate seatbelt retractor removal and installation procedure in this section.
     
   • If the seatbelt does extract, install all fasteners that were removed and tighten them to specification. REFER to the appropriate removal and installation procedure.
     

1. Check the active restraint system for correct operation by carrying out the appropriate functional test.
   Refer to: Seatbelt Systems (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, Diagnosis and Testing).
   

Rear seatbelt retractor

NOTE: Typical rear outboard seatbelt retractor shown, other configurations similar.

NOTE: To unlock the seatbelt retractor, only a few millimeters of seatbelt are necessary to retract back onto the seatbelt retractor spool.

1. Slowly pull the seatbelt out as far out as possible.
   

1. 1. NOTE: Compressing the backrest foam and/or reclining the rear seat backrest (if equipped) allows more slack of the seatbelt webbing to be fed into the seatbelt retractor.

      Compress the backrest foam pad and recline the rear seat backrest (if equipped).
      
   2. Slowly feed the seatbelt slack back into the retractor to unlock it. If the seatbelt does not extract after carrying out this step, proceed to the next step.
      

1. Firmly pull and extract as much seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor as possible.
   

1. 1. Slowly feed the seatbelt slack back into the retractor to unlock it.
      
   2. Slowly extract the seatbelt from the seatbelt retractor. If the seatbelt does not extract, proceed to the next step. If the seatbelt does extract, proceed to step 16.
      

1. Remove the fastener and detach the seatbelt anchor or inflatable seatbelt union (if equipped). REFER to the appropriate removal and installation procedure in this section.
   

1. 1. Slowly feed the seatbelt slack back into the retractor to unlock it.
      
   2. Extract the seatbelt webbing from the seatbelt retractor. Proceed to the next step.
      

1. • If the seatbelt does not extract, install a new seatbelt retractor. Refer to the appropriate seatbelt retractor removal and installation procedure in this section.
     
   • If the seatbelt does extract, install all fasteners that were removed and tighten them to specification. REFER to the appropriate removal and installation procedure.
     

1. Check the active restraint system for correct operation by carrying out the appropriate functional test.
   Refer to: Seatbelt Systems (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, Diagnosis and Testing).