1988 Ford Ranger Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 10%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 1988 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 89 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My husband was east bound on hwy 90 by ritzville, wa when his Ford Ranger went off the road for no reason (according to witnesses as he had just passed a truck) the truck rolled, seat-belt failed and he was thrown from the truck. We have had lots of problems with this Ranger and our bronco ii stalling out at road speeds. I believe this is what happened to my husband. According to the investigating policeman, there was no evidence of anything wrong with the truck such as a blown tire, broken tie-rod, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #744317, filed 2001-04“Weather raining, pulling out of parking lot, another vehicle swerved in front (hydroplaned), went off incline (shoulder) & hit tree, shoulder belt failed to restrain passenger, who in turn hit windshield, had vehicle towed to dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #807142, filed 1997-02“The front driver and passenger seatbelt buckles sometimes the release button will not let go and sometimes causes the buckle to pop out. Please explain. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #967333, filed 1995-06Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 16 | 5% |
| 2001 | 45 | 9% |
| 2000 | 23 | 3% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
| 1996 | 26 | 6% |
| 1995 | 17 | 5% |
| 1994 | 11 | 3% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 2% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 8 | 16% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 1984 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Ranger
32 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology