fubie

It's so slow, I've almost closed the door on the clasp. It does eventually retract, and nothing is binding it or anything. Has anyone else had this? The same thing happened on a Saab I had once and Saab replaced the retractor - apparently the guvment considers this a safety issue and there's no limit on the warranty. Also, my buckle hangs backwards it seems to me. The buckle faces the seat. Is this standard? Thanks for your help for this newbie.

JerryB

Hi fubie,

Every Toyota I've owned has had this problem. I once mentioned it to the bodyshop that I use and they say that it is a design problem with all Toyota seatbelts.

Yes, these are Toyota seatbelts.

Jerry Baumchen

fubie

Hmmm, makes sense, but if the retractor doesn't make it snug against your shoulder immediately I think it's a warranty fix no matter the mileage/age.

mandyfig

Hi Jerry,

My company happens to supply plastic components for the seat belt retainer to QSS in Canada (a Japanese company) who supplies them to Toyota. I have assemblies as samples. The metal springs will hardly fail or lose its "springiness." However due to the heat, the plastic housing can bulge-distort and therefore will pinch the springs, not allowing them to retract as designed.

These assemblies can be replaced.

I replaced a bum seat belt on my son's Maxima, bought a whole set from fleabay. I wonder if we can find used SC430 seat belt assemblies on fleabay.

JerryB

Hi Mandy,

Now that is interesting. As a Mech. Engr. and someone who has done his share of failure analysis, that is nice to know.

As far as 'de Bay', well good luck ( and I mean it ).

And do you have any thoughts on how hard it was to replace the unit on the Nissan?

Jerry Baumchen

PS) So you're the guy we get to blame for this problem.

mandyfig

Hi Jerry,

Can not blame us, we are not part design responsible. However I just completed an Engineering change to thicken the wall on a plastic part I supply to them. Turns out the plastic has buckled-deformed due to high temperature and as a result failed. So we added 0.2 mm and was forced to monitor as a critical dimension.

On the Nissan Maxima, I ended up taking the seats out and the rear deck, afterwhich it was remove and replace via a couple of bolts. The hardest thing was getting into and out of the trunk. Old guy like me do not have the flexibility once had.

On our SC's the back side panels have to come off and I think the rear seat will have to likewise.

JohnnyCake

I've had the dealer fix this twice. I should have asked what they did, but since they did it for free, they weren't specific on the invoice. After a couple of years or so, it just looses its retraction power and speed.

Now that I'm out of warranty, looks like I'll be doing this myself. Any thoughts on the fix?

fubie

Someone can correct me, but I though seatbelts never went out of warranty.

tofu

You might be right! I would call Lexus to see what they say.

MailManX

I'm reviviing this 5-month old thread because I want to know what the dealer's answer was. My 2001 GS300 with 216,000 miles is obviously way out of warrant. I love the car, but my seatbelt basically doesn't retract at all any more. That bugs the heck outta me, plus worries me when I can't pull it tight when putting it on.

76210Guy

FYI, I do have an extended warranty on my SC430, and I had the same problem. I had it fixed at Park Place Lexus and it was covered. They basically replaced not only the mechanism, but the belt was new also. I looked at the invoice and it said that the part was $237. Thought I would share just for comparison sake.

JohnnyCake

My dealer said that after awhile the belt gets dirty and all they do is clean it with soap and water and let it dry. A clean belt is a slippery smooth fast belt. Worth a try, I guess.

donaldp

My two front belts on my 2007 barely retract now. If I pull the belt out farther than needed as if I leaned far forward, it will not retract back at all UNLESS i unbuckle it, then it goes back immediately at rapid speed. What is up with this? It does not seem like it's a plastic part that is out of kilter.

mandyfig

I had the same problem on my Miata. I followed a DIY and it helped a lot. Pull out the belt, clip it and submerge on warm water with Woolite and let stand for at least an hour. Then let dry. It will clean it and it will help with the retraction. Also I have been successful with applying AS303 on the belt.

Good luck.

Lomaha

We took my 2007 in for the issue which I bought last year with the Platinum extended warranty. It was not covered. Definitely a safety issue to me. Besides the belt hangs out of the car sometimes. I have a nick in the door because of that!