39 of the
1,497 complaints about the 2000 Ford Taurus are about the
seat belts — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION IN THE INTERMEDIATE SETTING. THE WIPERS WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN HIGH MODE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT UNLATCH OR LATCH WHENEVER ENGAGED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V258000 (VISIBILITY) AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10553375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesShelton, WA
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. AFTER SOME TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER, REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS ALSO WOULD NOT RETRACT. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR LOCKS WITH THE KEY FOB THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10489181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesConcord, NH
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK INITIALLY BUT WOULD THEN INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCH AFTER SHE BEGAN DRIVING. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10351587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,500 milesEffingham, IL
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT OF MY 2000 FORD TAURUS WILL NOT RELEASE ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE TO CRAWL UNDER THE BELT TO GET OUT. I KNOW WEARING A SEAT BELT IS GOOD TO DO, BUT IT IS GETTING TO BE A REAL PROBLEM WHEN ONE HAS TO TRY TO CRAWL OUT WHEN IT WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. I HAVE A PAIR OF SCISSORS JUST IN CASE IT GETS TO THE POINT THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT WEAR THE BELT WHILE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED OF BECOMING TRAPPED IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10289820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chatham, 00
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT OR WHEN RETRACTED THE BELTS WILL NOT COME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10222101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT STOPPED RETRACTING AND WAS NOT USABLE FOR THE PASSENGER (WHO HAPPENED TO BE MY TEENAGER) I HAD TAKEN IT TO BE REPAIRED THREE PREVIOUS TIMES. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT I HAD TO PAY 152 DOLLARS THIS TIME TO HAVE IT REPAIRED SINCE THE CAR IS NOW NOT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST 3 PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10218422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesBushwood, MD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROLLER IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT RELEASE. WHEN PASSENGERS WERE SEATED IN THE SEAT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO USE THE SEAT BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,692.
NHTSA complaint #10216486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayette, IA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AFTER WORK AND WAS GOING TO PARK MY CAR WHEN I HEARD THIS CRUNCH SOUND. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING LOPSIDED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS. THE DASH LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT ALONG W/THE HEATER. IT NO LONGER BLOWS COLD AIR IT IS ALWAYS HOT AIR AND THE TEMPERATURE IS AT ITS LOWEST. THIS ALL STARTED W/A VACUUM LEAK. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO RETRACTED SLOW AND NOW IT DOESN'T EVEN RETRACT. THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND ALL AT ONCE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER CUZ I WANTED HER TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE FOR COLLEGE, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TURNING OUT THAT WAY. SHE IS NOW DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HER ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10204214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burnaby, 00
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELTS IN CAR LOCKED AND WERE UNUSABLE. THIS HAPPENED WITH BOTH SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR, AND WAS A BIG CONCERN FOR ME SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR TRANSPORTING CHILDTRN..
NHTSA complaint #10186375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,650 milesWest Bend, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKING . SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS FIXED IN AUGUST, 2006. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED ON DECEMBER 21, AND AGAIN ON DECEMBER 23, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DID NOT ALLOW HER TO EXTEND THE SEAT BELT. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEATS. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 -
NHTSA complaint #10176945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palos Heights, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN A PARTIALLY EXTENDED POSITION. IT WILL NEITHER EXTEND FURTHER OR RETRACT, RENDERING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR USE.
NHTSA complaint #10151145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,746 milesNepean, 00
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. THE BELT WILL ALSO NOT EXTEND OVER A PERSON COMPLETELY. THE BELT HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY A DEALER AND CAN BE REPAIRED. THE WHOLE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. SHE IS HAVING THIS REPAIRED TODAY. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 -
NHTSA complaint #10140696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,200 milesChicago, IL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON MY 2000 TAURUS HAS FAILED MAKING THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT USUABLE ONLY WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT ITSELF RETRACTED ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE MECHANISM BUT WILL NOT RETRACT BACK OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FAILURE OF THE REAR SEAT BELT I'VE EXPERIENCED. PREVIOUSLY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT GOT STUCK IN A SIMILAR FASHION. THIS CAR IS BECOMING INCREASING UNSAFE AND I AM LOOSING CONFIDENCE IN ITS OTHER HIGHLY TOUTED SAFETY FEATURES.
NHTSA complaint #10135176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Attleboro, MA
SEAT BELTS
DT: THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THEM TO UNLOCK. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET THEM TO OPEN BY PUSHING THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOW THEY WILL NOT COME UNLOCKED. *AK *TT
NHTSA complaint #10125330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesGrain Valley, MO
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN RELEASE. IT SOME HOW, GET TANGLED AND TWISTED WHEN THE BELT GOES BACK INTO THE RETRACTOR.CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND HAD THE SEAT BELT SERVICED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK......CONSUMER HAD THE REA RSEAT BELTS REPAIRED AT $54.00. CLAIMED THAT DEAKER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THEM AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. IT WAS BAD FROM THE BEGINNING, AND CONSUMER INSISTED THAT DEALER INIALLY PROMISED TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. HAS A STATEMENT TO THAT EFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10105150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesKentfield, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE SEAT BELT FOUR TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10097240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,500 milesWheatley HTS, NY
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
LEFT REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL. RIGHT REAR SEATBELT WAS APPARENTLY OK. TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AT 57,945 MILES. WAS TOLD THAT BOTH SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. AS STATED, RIGHT SIDE ONE WAS FINE UNTIL THEY "TESTED" IT, NOW THEY CLAIM IT WILL NOT RETRACT EITHER. CAR HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY (ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT TOLD THAT IT DID NOT COVER SAFETY ITEMS) BUT SAFETY ITEMS ARE APPARENTLY ONLY COVERED 50,000/5 YRS (WE ARE WITHIN THE 5 YEAR LIMIT). I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 99V-250 FOR SEATBELTS, BUT I CANNOT ACCESS FURTHER INFO AS IT IS ON FORD'S INTERNAL WEBSITE. I AM ALSO UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT OTHER TAURUS MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SEATBELTS. ALTHOUGH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS STILL IN EFFECT, I SEEM TO HAVE NO RECOURSE, AND I FIND IT ODD THAT THE RIGHT SEATBELT FAILED AT THE DEALER DURING INSPECTION. SERVICE PROVIDER IS BURNS FORD OF HUNTINGTON, NY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTETION TO THIS ITEM.
NHTSA complaint #10088952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,800 milesChicago, IL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) REAR SEAT BELT OF MY 2000 FORD TAURUS RECENTLY FAILED AND IS NO LONGER USABLE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS SEAT BELT HAS LOCKED IN PLACE AND WILL NEITHER UNWIND OR RETRACT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE INTERNAL ROTOR THAT REGULATES THE SEAT BELT'S LENGTH HAS GOTTEN STUCK. THE BELT MOVES ABOUT 1/2 INCH BEFORE FIRMLY LOCKING. IT WILL NOT RETRACT FROM THIS POSITION AND I CANNOT GET IT TO RESET AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TRYING. SINCE I AM JUST PAST A SAFETY WARRANTY OF 50,000 MILES, I AM TOLD A REPAIR JOB TO REPLACE THIS BELT WILL COST AROUND $500.
NHTSA complaint #10078681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,752 milesOklahoma City, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED, WILL NOT UNLOCK OR ADJUST.
NHTSA complaint #10060743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesChurchville, VACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *NLM THE CONSUMER HIT THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END WHEN THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER'S HEAD BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD AND INJURED HIS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10048651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corbin, KYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE REAR AND MADE THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS IN FRONT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE DRIVER WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN FACIAL DAMAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesPataskala, OHCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
MY WIFE REAR ENDED A CAR AND THE AIRBAG LET OUT A PUFF OF GREYISH SMOKE BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE AIRBAG/SEAT BELT LIGHT HAS STAYED ON. KRIEGER FORD DEALERSHIP HAD PUT IT ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND SAID THE AIRBAG WAS FINE, BUT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THIS MUCH IS TRUE BECAUSE IT WAS ACTING FUNNY EVEN BEFORE THE . I AM SUSPICIOUS OF THEIR AIRBAG ASSESMENT HOWEVER BECAUSE I READ WHERE 2000 (THIS IS WHAT I HAVE) AND 2001 TAURUS AND SABLES ARE BEING INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THERE WERE ABOUT 240 INSTANCES OF AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING AS OF JULY 2003.
NHTSA complaint #10032910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE BACK SEAT (MIDDLE SEAT OF WAGON) ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. $400 FOR AN OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND NEED TO BE SHOVED BACK INTO THE RETRACTOR SLOWLY TO GET ANY GIVE TO THEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. FROM WHAT I'M READING, THE FRONT ONES ARE GOING TO GO TOO. PLUS THE WAY BACK SEAT. WE HAVE THREE CHILDREN. ALSO, ONE OF THE BELTS IS FRAYING.
NHTSA complaint #10032808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allegan, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10029393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Alton, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WILL FIX IT, BUT THEY ARE TOO LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10025030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THAT PASSENGER SEATBELT ASSEMBLY IS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO NOT PULL OUT FROM BUCKEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10018182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBroken Arrow, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE PASSENGERS FRONT SAFETY BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE AND CAN NOT BE PULLED FROM IT'S HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE BELTS HAVE A 50K MILES/5 YR WARRANTY. *NLM PH
NHTSA complaint #10015258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austell, GA
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH MECHANISM DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monongahela, PA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
MY CHILDRENS SAFETY. WE PURCHASED A NEW 2000 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. WE WANTED THIS TO BE OUR FAMILY VEHICLE FOR ATLEAST 5 YEARS UNTIL PAID OFF! WE RELIED ON THE SAFETY & QUALITY OF FORD. WE HAVE 3 YOUNG CHILDREN 11,9 & 4 YEARS. ALL PETITE GIRLS. WELL NOW WE HAVE MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS...OUR 4 YEAR OLD WILL BE OUT GROWING CAR SEAT. THE STATION WAGONS ONLY HAVE 2 SHOULDER STRAPS & 3 LAP BELTS IN THE REAR SEAT. SO I GUESS ONE OF OUR CHILDREN WILL BE IN THE DANGER SEAT REAR MIDDLE ONLY LAP BELT. SO WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE NEW BOOSTER SEAT LAW GOES INTO EFFECT. WITH THE NEW LAW ALL BOOSTER SEATS REQUIRE SHOULDER STRAPS SO WE STILL HAVE ONE IN THE DANGER SEAT. I AM WORKING ON THIS FORD IS NOT REPLYING THEY SAY MY EXPECTATIONS ARE TOO HIGH & THEY CAN NO LONGER ASSIST ME. WE ARE REALLY IN A BAD POSITION HERE. THE FORD TAURUS SEDANS 2000 MODELS HAVE 3 SHOULDER STRAPS IN REAR SEAT. IF WE DID NOT HAVE 3 CHILDREN WE WOULD NOT HAVE A STATION WAGON. WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A FAMILY VEHICLE. WE STILL HAVE 3 MORE YEARS TO PAY ON THIS & WE NEED A VAN FOR SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN! I HAVE CALLED FORD, WROTE LETTERS TO FORD, HAD NEWS CHANNELS ON THIS I WANT SOMETHING DONE. WE ARE LOYAL FORD CUSTOMERS WERE I SHOUDL SAY. SAFETY IS MORE OF AN ISSUE NOW. WE HAD A 1994 FORD TAURUS WAGON IT WAS TOTALLED WE WERE STOPPED HIT IN THE REAR 5 CAR PILE UP. IT WAS TERRIBLE!! WE JUST PAID THAT CAR OFF. 94 WITH 38,000 MILES GREAT CONDITION WE WANTED TO GO WITHOUT CAR PAYMENT. WE GOT 5 MORE YEARS OF PAYMENTS NOW THIS. ALSO I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS FEB 2002 MANUFACTURES WERE TO BE FIXING THIS WELL 2003 STAITON WAGON STILL ONLY 2 SHOULDER STRAPS IN REAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10005728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Aurora, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO UNLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10006989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.