1998 Ford Taurus Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 5%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,650miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 5% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,650 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2003-10, 80,300 miles“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, filed 2004-05“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, filed 2018-03, 139,000 miles“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, filed 2011-10, 98,000 miles“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, filed 2010-06, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V198000Aug 25, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated…Covers: Ford Taurus 1998–1999, Mercury Sable 1998–1999
Seat 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 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsInterior lighting
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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