My car had to go back in for a replacement seatbelt today and I cannot believe the difference, I really cannot see how my old car belt passed a release inspection!!! the new belt is smooth and glides across the body perfect, the old one took about 10 attempts of very slow movements, lots of patience.

They still recon there is nothing wrong with reverse gear, but I do not agree, why should I have to press the clutch for 2 seconds before putting into gear! if I dont do this it crunches like anything and more often than not it jumps out of gear as I move. I have been driving for 24 years have had many many cars and never had a problem with getting a car into gear before!!!

We had an older Fiesta and I am sure that used to be a bit funny about reverse as is the new one!!

If you rush reverse in ours it's easy to crunch them as your finding, you have to be a little patient, as an aside ours doesn't jump out of gear though, that does sounds a little odd

Glad they sorted the belt

Ours crunches a bit as well on reverse <_< like tt07 says, if it's rushed, and the clutch isn't fully in.

Ours doesn't jump out of gear though, so that does sound like it needs a little investigating, pester them Michelle :D

Yeah I will do thanks, I was told to hold clutch fully down and count to 2 then put into gear, to me I think this is a real pain, especially when doing a quick 3 point turn for example, ive never had to put the clutch down and count in my head when driving a car!!!!! when I say it pops out what I mean is, I have managed to get it in gear start to reverse no crunching sound then the gear stick literally jumps forward and the crunching sound starts - its really embarrasing as people just assume I am a new driver.

Yeah I will do thanks, I was told to hold clutch fully down and count to 2 then put into gear, to me I think this is a real pain, especially when doing a quick 3 point turn for example, ive never had to put the clutch down and count in my head when driving a car!!!!! when I say it pops out what I mean is, I have managed to get it in gear start to reverse no crunching sound then the gear stick literally jumps forward and the crunching sound starts - its really embarrasing as people just assume I am a new driver.

Sometimes mine crunches even though my foot is flat to the floor--having said that my Astra TT had the same problem and I agree, it's very embarrassing at times!

I'm not too bothered though because mine is quite intermittant and s*d's law states that it wouldn't do it if I took it back anyway!

Our Sportka has your old seatbelt problem--based on what you've said, I'll get that checked out when it goes for its 1500 courtesy check. :)

Michelle - my old fiesta had this problem with reverse as does the new one (not as badly). I find not putting my foot all the way down on the clutch solves the problem slightly but even so...you'd think ford would have noticed it.

this is a problem with lots of fiestas of all ages, try engaging 1st or second before reverse as usually because the syncro isnt lined up properly as dont forget reverse is sraight cut.

My car had to go back in for a replacement seatbelt today and I cannot believe the difference, I really cannot see how my old car belt passed a release inspection!!! the new belt is smooth and glides across the body perfect, the old one took about 10 attempts of very slow movements, lots of patience.

They still recon there is nothing wrong with reverse gear, but I do not agree, why should I have to press the clutch for 2 seconds before putting into gear! if I dont do this it crunches like anything and more often than not it jumps out of gear as I move. I have been driving for 24 years have had many many cars and never had a problem with getting a car into gear before!!!

The reason you have to wait 2 seconds ( approx ) as stated in the handbook is because the gears will still be rotating so to let them slow down enough to "mesh" you wait 2 seconds then ease it into reverse............the 5 forward gears have syncromesh on them, the reverse gear doesn't so if you try to put it into reverse too quick it WILL grind and crunch. Basically there isn't anything wrong at all with the reverse gear on fords.

The reason you have to wait 2 seconds ( approx ) as stated in the handbook is because the gears will still be rotating so to let them slow down enough to "mesh" you wait 2 seconds then ease it into reverse............the 5 forward gears have syncromesh on them, the reverse gear doesn't so if you try to put it into reverse too quick it WILL grind and crunch. Basically there isn't anything wrong at all with the reverse gear on fords.

Its just my impatience then lol, after my last two cars being Merc and BMW I never encountered this before (although both were automatic gear boxes anyway).

The reason you have to wait 2 seconds ( approx ) as stated in the handbook is because the gears will still be rotating so to let them slow down enough to "mesh" you wait 2 seconds then ease it into reverse............the 5 forward gears have syncromesh on them, the reverse gear doesn't so if you try to put it into reverse too quick it WILL grind and crunch. Basically there isn't anything wrong at all with the reverse gear on fords.

Urm, yes there is.

No other car seems to do it. Other cars have syncromesh on them but reverse doesnt crunch,

The reason you have to wait 2 seconds ( approx ) as stated in the handbook is because the gears will still be rotating so to let them slow down enough to "mesh" you wait 2 seconds then ease it into reverse............the 5 forward gears have syncromesh on them, the reverse gear doesn't so if you try to put it into reverse too quick it WILL grind and crunch. Basically there isn't anything wrong at all with the reverse gear on fords.

Thats a bit of a pants excuse innit. My Mk1 Focus will go into reverse no problem straight from moving. I can even still be moving forwards slightly and it slides in no noise whatsoever. If a gearbox in a 9 year old car can manage it then why cant a box in a brand new car. The same factors you list will still be happening in my situation.

My Husbands 9 years old Focus 1.8 petrol won't go into reverse without dropping the clutching twice otherwise it will crunch like mad and not go in for love or money, we had it since 2 years old and it's always been like it.

Quite honestly, I think Ford just aren't very good at gearboxes...like you say, if older cars can do it, new ones certainly should!!