Some vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. This may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatbelt retracts at a high rate of speed. The Workshop Manual, Section 501-20A General Procedures has been updated with a locked seatbelt retractor releasing procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Explorer seatbelts problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Ford Explorer have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the seatbelts, typically surfacing around 74,000 miles at roughly $500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See seatbelts across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$500
| Model year | seatbelts complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Explorer | 3 |
| 2012 Explorer | 9 |
| 2013 Explorer (this page) | 13 |
| 2014 Explorer | 16 |
| 2015 Explorer | 22 |
| 2016 Explorer | 19 |
| 2017 Explorer | 15 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering seatbelts on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct seatbelt problems on 2013 Ford Explorers. First, water leaks are entering the vehicle through the third-row seatbelt mounting areas, especially during rain. Affected owners describe water pooling in the spare tire storage area and soaking third-row carpets and seats. The leaks allegedly occur at the roof-line seatbelt attachment point due to poor welding or corrosion. One owner experienced recurring water intrusion over five years across multiple dealership visits without permanent resolution. These leaks are creating mold and mildew smells, raising mold-growth concerns for families with children.
Second, seatbelt latching and release failures occur in second-row seat positions. Owners report buckles that fail to latch securely, inflatable seatbelt buckles that crack or break repeatedly, and release buttons that become physically blocked when adjacent seats are in downward positions. One owner documented four buckle failures and instances of belts jamming in the mechanism. Another reports a buckle that crumbled into pieces in a child's hand. A third owner states the dealer and manufacturer both declined to assist with a non-latching buckle at 76,000 miles. No repairs or manufacturer remedies are mentioned by complainants.
Same Ford Explorer seatbelts reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Water intrusion through third-row seatbelt mounting
Water leaks into the vehicle through the third-row seatbelt attachment area at the roof line during rain, allegedly due to poor welding or corrosion. Water pools in the spare tire storage area, soaks carpeting and seats, and creates mold and mildew odors.
When: During and after rain events; recurring over years; one owner experienced intrusion repeatedly from 2015 to 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in spare tire storage area; Third-row carpeting and seats soaked; Mold smell; Mildew smell; Wet seatbelts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership visits (owner #1 reported five visits over five years); sent to bodyshop and external repair facility (JR's Automotive) without permanent resolution; Ford Customer Relations Center cases opened; BBB claim denied based on mileage
Second-row seatbelt buckle latching failure
Seatbelt buckles in the second-row seat fail to latch securely or hold once latched, preventing safe restraint of passengers.
When: At 76,000 miles (one owner); timing not specified for others
Symptoms owners cite: Buckle will not latch; Buckle fails to hold after latching; Unsafe passenger restraint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer notified; no assistance offered
Second-row inflatable seatbelt buckle cracking and breakage
Inflatable seatbelt buckles in the second-row seat crack, break, and fail repeatedly. One buckle crumbled into pieces while in a child's hand. Protective plastic covers fall off. One belt becomes stuck or jams in the buckle mechanism.
When: Multiple failures documented; one buckle crumbled without mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Buckle cracks and breaks; Buckle crumbles; Protective plastic cover falls off; Seatbelt jams in buckle; Seatbelt locked and will not unroll
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports total of 5 issues with one row of belts and buckles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lemon Law claim requested and denied by Ford
Second-row seatbelt release button blocked by adjacent seat position
Release button for the rear second-row passenger-side seatbelt becomes physically obstructed and inaccessible when the adjacent seat backs are in a downward (not fully reclined) position, preventing the seatbelt from being unlocked.
When: At approximately 1,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt fails to unlatch; Release button covered by adjacent seat position
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to provide assistance; manufacturer notified
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had seatbelts trouble with your 2013 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the seatbelts problem on the 2013 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most seatbelts failures cluster between 32,002 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 74,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,002; a quarter make it past 78,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $500 for seatbelts repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to seatbelts?
No active recalls currently cover seatbelts issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.