FaultScore

1998 Ford Taurus seat belt problems

29 of the 680 complaints about the 1998 Ford Taurus are about the seat belts — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,650 miles.

F

29

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Seat Belts 10 34.5%
Retractor 8 27.6%
Buckle Assembly 4 13.8%
Rear/Other 4 13.8%
Anchorage 3 10.3%

Seat Belts across every Ford Taurus year

1987 23 4.5%
1988 34 6.7%
1989 144 28.2%
1990 25 4.9%
1991 10 2.0%
1992 21 4.1%
1993 14 2.7%
1994 10 2.0%
1995 11 2.2%
1996 25 4.9%
1997 25 4.9%
1998 29 5.7%
1999 63 12.3%
2000 39 7.6%
2001 24 4.7%
2002 14 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 139,000 miles Carneys Point, NJ

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO RETRACT, WHICH LEFT THE OCCUPANTS UNSECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAYSHORE FORD OF PENNSYVILLE (200 S. BROADWAY ST, PENNSYVILLE, NJ). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER PRODUCED PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA complaint #11082199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,655 miles Camden, NJ

SEAT BELTS

THE CAR HAS A RECALL ON LIGHTS SEAT BUCKLE AND STUD.

NHTSA complaint #10466557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Farmington, MN

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED BY NOT RETRACTING AND LOCKING INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10428940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Portland, OR Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE AS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD FAILED AND HE WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED DURING THE CRASH AND SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V198000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE) THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1998 BUT HE AS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10336845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Louisville, KY

SEAT BELTS

DT: THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK. THE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10126383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Forestville, NY

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

I OWN A 1998 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THE REAR SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK. I CAN NOT GET THEM TO PULL OUT AT ALL. FOR THAT MATTER, I CAN NOT BUCKLE MY CHILD IN. BOTH SIDES ARE AFFECTED. THE CENTER BUCKLE DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTRACTING BELT SO THAT IS THE ONLY USABLE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I HAVE TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THE COVER WAS REMOVED IN ATTEMPT TO FIX THESE AND I AM STILL UNABLE TO GET THEM TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10068401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Huntington Station, NY

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS INOPERATIVE AND WAS STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10064636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,300 miles Stanton, CA

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT STRAP ON 1998 FORD TAURUS SEDAN WAS NOT SECURED BY MINOR OCCUPANT WHILE EXITING VEHICLE. BELT WAS OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHEN VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND WAS RUN OVER BY VEHICLE REAR TIRES CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOCK AND SKID ON PUBLIC STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10043488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Core, WV Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

WHILE DRIVING AT 25/30 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10034246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,300 miles Lincoln, NE

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE, DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE RETRACTOR MECHANISMS. PART IS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10032341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10007011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elaida, OH

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

CONSUMER NOTICED THE BACK SYSTEM SEAT BELTS LAP DO NOT RETRACT AFTER RELEASING BUCKETS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

NHTSA complaint #8020624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elida, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BOTH REAR SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFO.

NHTSA complaint #8020257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lafayette, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED OR USED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS TO BE AN UNUSUAL FAILURE SINCE THE REAR SEATS ARE RARELY OCCUPIED, IT TOOK TWO VISITS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT AT A CONSIDERABLE COST TO THE CONSUMER, SOON AFTER THIS REPAIR THE RIGHT REAR SEATBELT BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE USED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #566729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sutherlin, OR

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE, UNABLE TO RETRACK BELT FROM TRACK POSITION, TO LOCK.

NHTSA complaint #8013860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincoln, RI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

FRONT PASSENGERS SEATBELT WILL NOT PULL OUT.

NHTSA complaint #8007691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Halifax, MA

SEAT BELTS

REAR LAP/ SHOULDER BELTS WOULD LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #8006977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE WAS REARENDED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER, AND SHE HIT HER HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND ARM INJURIES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER YET.

NHTSA complaint #8002050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Minnetonka, MN Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED DURING THE ACCIDENT (AIR BAGS WORKED FINE) 10" FROM BOLT THAT SECURES BELT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN THIS AREA THAT WOULD HAVE CUT THE BELT. BELT LOOKED NORMAL. DRIVER 125#, 45MPH CRASH,BELT BRAKES? LUCKILY, AFTER BEING BOUNCED AROUND INSIDE SHE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AFTER THE CRASH AND WAS NOT EJECTED FROM THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #756209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fulton, MO

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #753129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wyncote, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

PASSANGER SEAT RESTRAINT LOCKS WHEN A LARGE PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. EVERYTIME THE BELT REALS IN A BIT IT STAYS LOCKED, RESULTING IN A VERY TIGHT AND UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT SOME MONTHS AGO RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR A WHILE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS RE-EMERGED, AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE RIDING IN A CAR WITH THE SHOULDER BELT SO TIGHT THAT MOVEMENT IS IMPOSSABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO MY FAT STATURE THE SEAT BELT IS MAL FUNCTIONING, BUT WHEN NORMAL SIZED PEOPLE ARE IN THE SEAT THE RESTRAINT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #741059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, WV

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #866373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dover, OH

SEAT BELTS

CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AFTER CAR IS PUT INTO PARK, NOW IT IS DOING IT WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, INTERIOR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND NOT GO OUT, RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF BY IT'S SELF, ELECTRIC SEAT ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME, GOES BACK THEN WILL NOT GO BACK UP, CAR WILL INCREASE IN RPM'S WHEN YOU ARE IN PARK AND WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP UNLESS YOU TURN OFF ENGINE, STARTING TO CLIMB IN RPM'S WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #723859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detriot, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A TURN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LOCK. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #856402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Puxico, MO 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, 8-YEAR OLD IN REAR SEAT WAS PLAYING WHEN THE SEAT BELT BECAME WRAPPED AROUND NECK. PULLED VEHICLE OVER. PUSHED RELEASE BUTTON & BELT RETRACTOR WRAPPED TIGHTER AROUND CHILD'S NECK. WAS NO EMERGENCY RELEASE FOR RETRACTOR. OWNER FORCED BELT OFF CHILD'S NECK. BRUISES LEFT ON NECK & CHIN.

NHTSA complaint #854243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple CIT, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SAFETY SEAT DOES NOT STAY FASTENED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #608009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado S, CO

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO NON-DEFECTIVE BUCKLE, UPON INSPECTION FROM OTHER SOURCE THE BUCKLE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #541080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado S, CO

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO NON-DEFECTIVE BUCKLE, UPON INSPECTION FROM OTHER SOURCE THE BUCKLE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #541080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WON'T RETRACT AT ALL TIMES. IT DOESN'T SNAP AT ALL, THERE IS NO DRAG IN THE BELT, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #826247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1998 Ford Taurus report