Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* 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.
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!
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
When applying the brakes there is a strong vibration in the steering wheel and the vehicle keeps moving. This happens on normal road condtions. The system has ABS. Consumer states seat belts lock up before they are put on. Steering wheel churns as it is being turned, dealer can not find problem.
During heavy braking passenger's side seat belt lock, upon continuation of driving, belt doesn't release, have to unlatch and relatach to adjust tensionioner, sometimes latch appears to be latched and it really isnt, dealer has had many complaints about 2 pos. Latch.
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.
On problem one: I have observed several 1996 through 1999 Ford Taurus wagons with defective center mounted stop light. Problem two: both rear outer seat belts stopped retracting at about the same time.
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.
During impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy and the driver's side seat belt did not lock.
After hitting a car head on the rear middle seatbelt buckle came loose, releasing the css on the floor. Tt
Seat Belt complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 825 complaints. The component named most often is front › retractor (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Taurus seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for the 1996 Ford Taurus, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Taurus seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to seat belts problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.