[hockeymaniak88]

im sure a lot of you have the same problem with your seatbelts not retracting but now mine are rediculous. they havent retracted properly for months now but the last few days passengers in my car have been telling me it wont even retract enough for it to hold them back when im stopping since the belt just rests on their lap like a rope. i went to ford when i first got the car for warranty replacement but i missed it by 3000 miles (ford guy said cut off is 50000 miles or 3 years whichever comes first just so u know). they want $200 for the part and $80 an hour for labor. I checked ebay but none are listed. Anyone have an idea or experience with this problem or know where i can buy one that wont break my wallet?

[GreenStang511]

I have this problem as well. According to another member, this was a voluntary recall and apparently doesn't cost the dealership anything. I would think that they SHOULD do it for free if the warranty is over. I still have a few hundred miles and weeks on my warranty. I should really bring it in.

Anyway here is the info the other member posted:

Mustang TSB and Mustang Recall Resource
Recalls & TSB's >> Tsb Lookup >> 2003 >> Ford >> Mustang
2003 Ford Mustang
Bulletin #: 042421
Sequence #: 10014138
Date: 12/13/2004
Component Name: 151300 seat belts:front:retractor
Make: Ford
Model: Mustang
Year: 2003
Summary: Safety belt retraction speed. *tt

[bgagnon127]

Also, could your belt be twisted where it retracts back into the door? I noticed mine wouldn't retract well and I untwisted it, fine ever since.

[97NOTOP]

Try 50 Resto for replacement seatbelts. I bought one for the driver's side last year, for under $100, and had a mechanic install it. Mine was still retracting but the belt web was badly worn. I had to paint the plastic housing that bolts to the floor because the replacement housings are all tan, so I bought the appropriate paint, also from 50 Resto, and painted the housing black to match the interior.

[89GTVert]

I have this problem too but I have noticed that if I remove the rear arm rest panels (89 fox) the belts retract perfectly. As soon as I replace the panels the belts stop retracting right, so Im not sure how to fix it.

[GreenStang511]

As far as for the 2003, I'm also not sure it is soley the mechanism inside but partly the guides fault too. I notice that when I pull the seat belt down and out it seems to work fine. When I just pull the seat belt out towards the steering wheel, it get all caught up in the guide and sometimes jams to the point where I have to actually get out of the car and pull it out of the guide.

[hockeymaniak88]

turns out you can get a real good deal from that online mustang junkyard. just ordered 2 seatbelts and retractors for $100. However from what i hear they too will wear out and break just like mine so its only a temporary fix.