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 Fusion seatbelts problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Ford Fusion have filed 71 NHTSA complaints about the seatbelts, typically surfacing around 67,000 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
71
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$500
| Model year | seatbelts complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Fusion | 4 |
| 2012 Fusion | 3 |
| 2013 Fusion (this page) | 71 |
| 2014 Fusion | 60 |
| 2015 Fusion | 16 |
| 2016 Fusion | 14 |
| 2017 Fusion | 6 |
3crashes
3fires
7injuries
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Ford Fusion we track for seatbelts problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 71.
Owners have filed 71 seatbelts complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
FORD/LINCOLN: THE 60/40 SPLIT REAR SEAT BACKREST, ON SOME VEHICLES, HAVE 60 PERCENT SECTION STUCK IN FOLDED DOWN POSITION, DUE TO REAR CENTER SAFETY BELT BUCKLED OVER EMPTY SEAT AND FOLDED DOWN. LIFT 60 PERCENT SLIGHTLY, GAIN ACCESS TO CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, RELEASE BELT BUCKLE LATCH AND ALLOW SAFETY BELT TO RETRACT. MODELS 2013 FUSION, MKZ.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two overlapping problems in the 2013 Fusion seat belt system. The most common defect occurs when the rear middle seat belt jams after the back seat is folded down for cargo. The belt retracts and locks, trapping the seat in the lowered position. Owners report the belt becomes so tight it can squeeze a child's chest; many had to unbolt the assembly or cut the belt to free the seat. This defect repeated even after repairs and appears widespread—one dealer told an owner they'd seen five or six of the same problem.
A second class of failures involves front and rear seat belts that won't extend when occupants try to fasten them, or fail to retract. Some belts stayed locked in the retracted position; others failed intermittently.
Most troubling are crash reports where properly fastened seat belts failed to restrain occupants during rear-end collisions, resulting in whiplash, concussions, neck injuries, shoulder damage, and in one case permanent nerve damage to an arm.
Overlaying both defect types is a cascading recall (Campaign 16V875000, issued April 2015 and November 2016) for seat belt pretensioners. Ford notified owners but could not supply repair parts. As of mid-2018, dealers confirmed parts remained unavailable with no estimated delivery date. The manufacturer told some owners to drive at their own risk and disclaimed liability. Owners reported waiting months to years with no resolution and no loaner vehicle program.
Same Ford Fusion seatbelts reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Rear middle seat belt locks when rear seat is folded down
When owners fold down the rear seat to access cargo space, the middle seat belt retracts and locks, preventing the seat from being raised back to its upright position. The belt becomes jammed in the retracted position. Some owners report the belt tightens around occupants. Owners typically have to unbolt the seat belt assembly or cut the belt to release the seat.
When: Occurs when rear seat is folded down, some instances at lower mileage (59,950 to 109,489 mi)
Symptoms owners cite: Middle seat belt locks and will not retract when rear seat is folded down; Rear seat cannot be raised back to upright position; Seat belt becomes trapped in retracted/locked position; Belt may tighten around occupant if seated during failure; Problem repeats after repair or temporary correction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced seat belt assemblies; costs cited range from $700. Owners report having to remove seat and unbolt belt assembly or cut belt to release. Independent mechanic repairs noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin SB-10053450-1184 extended warranty to 5 years/60,000 miles; some owners exceeded limit and were denied coverage. No recall issued specifically for this defect despite multiple similar reports at one dealership.
Front seat belt retraction failure
Front seat belts fail to pull out when occupants attempt to engage them, or fail to retract properly after use. Seat belt remains in locked or retracted position and cannot be extended to fasten around occupant. Some instances of intermittent failure.
When: Various mileages from 22,000 to 136,179 miles; failures occur both when vehicle is on and off
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt will not pull out or extend from retractor; Seat belt remains locked in retracted position; Occupant unable to fasten seat belt; Intermittent failure to retract; Seat belt hardware may be damaged at base
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt replacement attempted; in one case failure recurred after independent mechanic replaced belt. Pretensioner component identified in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 16V875000 (Seat Belts) issued; remedy unavailable for extended period. One owner's VIN was not included in campaign despite similar failure.
Seat belt recall repair parts unavailable
Owners received recall notification for Campaign 16V875000 (Seat Belts), but Ford has been unable to supply parts needed to complete repairs for months to years. Dealers report parts on order with no estimated delivery date. Manufacturer cannot provide timeline for when parts will be available.
When: Recalls issued April 2015 and November 2016; failures reported as late as 2018 with no parts still available
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice issued but parts unavailable; No estimated delivery date provided by dealer or manufacturer; Long delays (months to years) between recall notice and availability of remedy; Owners unable to schedule recall repairs; No loaner vehicle program offered
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed due to lack of parts. Owners carry vehicles with known defects unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 16V875000 issued; manufacturer advised some owners to drive at owner's discretion and would not be liable for safety risk. Ford stated no remedy available at time of contact. No rental assistance program offered.
Seat belt fails to restrain in crash
In at least one verified rear-end collision, seat belts failed to properly restrain occupants during impact. Occupants sustained significant injuries including whiplash, concussions, neck injuries, shoulder damage, and nerve damage despite being properly buckled in.
When: 25 mph rear-end collision; another incident in violent rear-end accident
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt fails to restrain occupant during collision; Occupants experience excessive movement during impact; Multiple serious injuries (whiplash, concussions, neck/shoulder/back injuries, nerve damage); Airbags did not deploy in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in both cases; not repaired.
Driver's side seat belt does not restrain properly
Driver's seat belt fails to provide adequate restraint during normal driving. Defect identified during routine driving but never diagnosed or repaired.
When: At approximately 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's seat belt does not restrain properly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Associated with unknown recall; VIN not included. Manufacturer made aware; case number provided.
Rear seat belt locks unpredictably and traps occupants
Rear seat belts lock up suddenly without warning while occupants are seated or attempting to exit, preventing safe removal of occupants. Belt becomes extremely tight around occupant's chest or torso. Problem can occur multiple times or intermittently.
When: Various mileages; occurs with vehicle stationary or while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Rear seat belt locks unexpectedly while occupied; Belt becomes very tight around occupant's chest or body; Occupant unable to unlatch or remove from seat belt; Locks without warning and without occupant action; Occurs repeatedly or intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt replacement recommended by dealer in some cases; not completed due to warranty expiration or parts unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no service campaign for failure in at least one case. Referral to NHTSA noted in some cases.
Synthesized from 71 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 Fusion?
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 Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 71 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $500.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Across the 41 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most seatbelts failures cluster between 51,707 and 92,520 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,707; a quarter make it past 92,520. 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/Fusion.
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.