Ford Escape Quiz
Body and Paint

Diagnosis and Testing - Seat Belt Systems

In this manual: Body and Paint
General Information — 26Chassis — 160Powertrain — 323Electrical — 356Body and Paint — 290
~7min read

Symptom Chart

Preliminary Inspection

The diagnosis in this manual assumes a certain level of skill and knowledge of Ford-approved diagnostic procedures.
REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Before diagnosing or repairing the seat belt system, check the following:

  • Seat belt webbing integrity (torn, frayed, cut or stretched)
  • Seat belt buckle and latch plate assembly (latching and unlatching, foreign objects)
    Refer to: Seat Belt System Functional Tests (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).

Symptom Chart: Seat Belt System

Symptom Chart


Condition Action
Unbuckled seat belt warning indicator does not work GO to Pinpoint Test A
Unbuckled seat belt chime does not work GO to Pinpoint Test B
Seat belt webbing does not extend or applies excessive pressure to the occupant during use GO to Pinpoint Test C
Seat belt webbing does not retract or excessively slackens during use. GO to Pinpoint Test C
Belt-Minder® feature does not function GO to Pinpoint Test D
Seat belt latch plate rotates on the seat belt webbing. GO to Pinpoint Test E
Seat belt webbing is twisted in the seat belt guide. GO to Pinpoint Test E
Seat belt webbing is dirty or soiled GO to Pinpoint Test E

Global Customer Symptom Codes (GCSC) Table

The diagnosis in this manual assumes a certain level of skill and knowledge of Ford-approved diagnostic procedures.
REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).


Symptom Action
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Appearance GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Driver > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Appearance GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > Front Passenger > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Appearance GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Comfort GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Removal GO to Pinpoint Test E
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test C
Safety and Security > Seat Belt > 2nd Row / Rear > Stalks/Attachments GO to Pinpoint Test E

Pinpoint Tests


DIAGNOSTIC TEST A: SEAT BELT REMINDER INDICATOR INOPERATIVE

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

Turn the ignition on and monitor the airbag warning indicator after the IPC has failed.

  • If the airbag indicator is on, refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
  • If the airbag warning indicator is not on, refer to Instrument Panel, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrument Cluster, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to Pinpoint Test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or diagnostic trouble code. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
DIAGNOSTIC TEST B: SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME INOPERATIVE

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

Turn the ignition on and monitor the airbag warning indicator after the IPC has failed.

  • If the airbag indicator is on, refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Diagnosis and Testing).
  • If the airbag warning indicator is not on, refer to Instrument Panel, Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrument Cluster, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to Pinpoint Test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or diagnostic trouble code. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
DIAGNOSTIC TEST C: SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

Seat belt webbing does not extend or applies excessive pressure to the occupant during use.

    Seat belt webbing does not extend or applies excessive pressure to the occupant during use.

  • If the seat belt retractor is in web sensing mode, release the locked seat belt retractor. Refer to: Releasing a Locked Seat Belt Retractor (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).
  • If the interior trim is not installed correctly, correct the interior trim installation. Refer to Section 501-05.
  • If the seat belt retractor is locked in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode or internally locked, refer to: Seat Belt System Functional Tests (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).
    and perform the applicable functional test.

Seat belt webbing does not retract or excessively slackens during use.

    Seat belt webbing does not retract or excessively slackens during use.

  • If the seat belt webbing is twisted or routed incorrectly, refer to: Seat Belt Latch Plate Rotates on Seat Belt (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).
    or refer to: Seat Belt Webbing Twisted in Seat Belt Guide (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).
  • If the interior trim is not installed correctly, correct the interior trim installation. Refer to Section 501-05.
  • If the seat belt retractor is internally jammed, refer to: Seat Belt System Functional Tests (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).
    and perform the applicable functional test.

Possible Sources

  • Interior trim installed incorrectly
  • Seat belt webbing twisted or routed incorrectly
  • Seat belt retractor is in web sensing mode
  • Seat belt retractor is in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode (if equipped).
  • Seat belt retractor with internal jam
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or diagnostic trouble code. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
DIAGNOSTIC TEST D: BELT-MINDER® CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

Using the diagnostic scan tool, verify that the Belt-Minder® feature is enabled.

  • If Belt-Minder® is not enabled, enable the Belt-Minder® feature using the diagnostic scan tool or refer to: Belt-Minder® Deactivation/Activation (413-01 Instrument Cluster, Message Center and Warning Chimes, General Procedures).
  • If Belt-Minder® is enabled, refer to Message Center and Warning Chimes (413-01 Instrument Cluster, Message Center and Warning Chimes, Diagnosis and Testing).

Possible Sources

  • Refer to Pinpoint Test
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or diagnostic trouble code. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
DIAGNOSTIC TEST E: SEAT BELT CONCERNS

Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms

Seat belt latch plate rotates on the seat belt webbing.

    Seat belt latch plate rotates on the seat belt webbing.

  • Refer to: Seat Belt Latch Plate Rotates on Seat Belt (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).

Seat belt webbing is twisted in the seat belt guide.

    Seat belt webbing is twisted in the seat belt guide.

  • Refer to: Seat Belt Webbing Twisted in Seat Belt Guide (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).

Seat belt webbing is dirty or soiled

    Seat belt webbing is dirty or soiled

  • Refer to: Cleaning Seat Belts (501-20A Seat Belt System, General Procedures).

Possible Sources

  • Seat belt webbing twisted or routed incorrectly
  • Seat belt webbing dirty or soiled
Diagnostic steps are not provided for this symptom or diagnostic trouble code. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).

Test yourself

A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.