1996 Ford Taurus Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 3%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 3% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 96 Ford Taurus gl has the following electrical problems, radio goes out, seat belt light flashes and clicks, intermittent wipers fail, power windows fail, finally power steering locks up,and when running for a while transmission would slip, causing safety concerns. If put in park everything goes back working as normal. Took to shop and they say it's the transmission range sensor and that several 96 Taurus' they have worked on have had the same problem....I am wondering why this has not been a recall part if that is the case...something is definitely wrong!”
NHTSA complaint #10183922, filed 2007-03, 155,752 miles“The seat belt light on the dashboard blinks on intermittently, and when it does the steering column locks up. When this occurs consumer loses control of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10041931, filed 2003-09, 73,000 miles“The rear seat belts have been a problem for some time . Now the rear right does not work at all . I was given a price of 250.-270-.,for two new seatbelts. I feel this is a safety issue and need to no if I have any legal rights.”
NHTSA complaint #741021, filed 2001-02“The contact owns a 1996 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the seat belt failed to retract. The contact, who was seating in the front passenger seat, hit her head on the windshield. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 70,890.”
NHTSA complaint #10486575, filed 2012-11, 70,890 miles“Both rear seat belts are inoperative and need to be replaced. Neither belt would retract back into spool mechanism. Both rear belts have had a history of folding and twisting. Which made use of the belts extremely difficult at times. Belts have experienced normal use only. Ford will not replace the belts for free because they are beyond the warranty period. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770000, filed 2002-11Seat 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 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
55 complaintsAir bags
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsTires
28 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Taurus
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