The 2001 Ford Taurus has 3 recalls, all centered on occupant restraint: seatbelt buckles can fail to fully release or may only partially latch, leaving occupants without proper protection in a crash.
The seatbelt buckle issue affects the tongue that clicks into the buckle assembly. When the release button is pressed slowly, the tongue may not fully eject, and the same mechanism that causes the release problem can also allow the tongue to sit only partway into the latch without fully locking. In either case, the belt may not hold an occupant the way it should during a collision. The third recall involves the child safety seat anchor bolts, which were not tightened to the proper specification at the factory. The anchors attach to the floor through a reinforcement plate, and if the fasteners lack sufficient torque, the anchor can pull loose in a crash, allowing a child seat to break free rather than staying secured to the vehicle floor.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt buckle tongue may not fully eject when you push the release button slowly, or may only partially latch. In a crash, this could prevent proper restraint.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and right front passenger seat belt buckles.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt buckle tongue may not fully eject when you push the release button slowly, or it may only partially latch into the buckle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and right front passenger seat belt buckles at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts securing the child safety seat anchor latch may loosen and come off due to road vibrations, even when properly tightened, because sealer on the floor pan creates a weak connection.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and reinstall the bracket nut using a torque retention material to prevent it from loosening.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
