1999 Mercury Marquis Driver seat belt won't stay latched

JIM WACHTEL

MEMBER
1999 MERCURY MARQUIS
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
191,000 MILES

The driver seat belt has come unlatched on its own several times. I install it, tug on it, and it seems fine. After driving about 10 minutes, it unlatches. Checking the latching system indicates that when pressing in the spring loaded button which unlatches the buckle, the button does not appear to be spring loaded at all (I compared this to the latching system on the passenger side.)

Do I need to replace the latch system which the buckle slides into or can it be repaired?

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

First you can replace certain parts of the seat belt. I would look inside the part with a strong light and make sure there is nothing inside that may be preventing the latch to work properly. I worked on one that had a small popcorn cornel inside that was keeping it from working properly.

I would definitely replace it not try to repair it unless there was something stuck in it like above.

Last, there appears to be several seat belt recalls for your car which the dealer may fix for free plus a couple of others. Again, the dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

00S15
09/01/2000
Recall - Seat Belt Retractor Inspection/Replacement

00S16
09/01/2000
Recall - Seat Belt Inspection/Replacement

NHTSA00V200000
07/12/2000
Recall 00V200000: Jack Use, Stowage, & Warning Revisions

00S13
07/01/2000
Recall - Vehicle Jacking Procedure

NHTSA00V157001
06/12/2000
Recall 00V157001: Service Stock Seat Belt Assemblies

NHTSA00V157002
06/12/2000
Recall 00V157002: Service Stock Seat Belt Assemblies

05N04
12/14/2005
Campaign - Intake Manifold Extended Warranty Coverage

99B03
03/01/1999
Campaign - Inertia Switch Bracket Replacement