1988 Ford Taurus Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 10%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the seat belts of the 1988 Ford Taurus, 10% of the 333 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driver's seat belt and shoulder belt tongue are completely broken, which makes shoulder belts inoperable. May not protect occupant in event of an accident. Cause unknown. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #834696, filed 1999-02“Seat belt buckle failure. Manufacturer has been unresponsive to consumer's requests to obtain a replacement seat belt clasp for the driver's side. In addition, intermittent stalling/hesitation due to engine overheating when A/C is running.”
NHTSA complaint #525191, filed 1997-10“Driver and passenger seat belt buckle top came off. Clip popped out. Locking mechanism not operating properly. Will not lock. Took to dealer & was informed not under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #824962, filed 1998-07“Driver's side seat belt buckle broke in half, consumer can't drive without seatbelt, it is state law which could result in injury if an accident occured.”
NHTSA complaint #853893, filed 1999-12“The driver's seat belt buckle dislodged which does not protect the occupant in event of an accident. Recall for the 1989 Taurus not for the 1988 Taurus.”
NHTSA complaint #823161, filed 1998-05Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 24 | 2% |
| 2000 | 39 | 3% |
| 1999 | 60 | 7% |
| 1998 | 28 | 5% |
| 1997 | 23 | 3% |
| 1996 | 25 | 3% |
| 1995 | 11 | 1% |
| 1994 | 10 | 1% |
| 1993 | 14 | 1% |
| 1992 | 21 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 1% |
| 1990 | 24 | 6% |
| 1989 | 142 | 25% |
| 1988 | 33 | 10% |
| 1987 | 23 | 9% |
| 1986 | 8 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Taurus
94 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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