NHTSA — Seat Belts: Front: Retractor Problems

5.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,516 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Geo Prizm seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Geo Prizm Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 012003

Prizm 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The seat belts lock in the retracted position they are unable to be used. This usually starts with them sticking when you try to pull them down to buckle. I have two Geo Prizms a 1996 and a 1997 they both have had this problem for a long time.

- Parma Heights, OH, USA

problem #6

Jul 132003

Prizm 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
I have a 1997 Geo Prizm. The driver side seat belt will not fully extend and locks up multiple times when trying to pull it out to lock in place for safe driving. This is my second Geo Prizm that has had this problem. I feel there should be a voluntary recall by the manufacturer to get this fixed on all their cars.

- Concord, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 291999

Prizm 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,611 miles
Driver's side seat belt retractor failed at 12,611 mi (3/29/99) and again at 24,000 mi. (out of warranty time by a few months). Central Chevrolet in fremont, ca fixed both times. 2nd time cost $200+ and rental car charge. Central advised they wouldn't reduce the cost of 2nd failure because I didn't have my maintenance service work done by them. Back seat, passenger side seat belt retractor has also failed (won't retract). Can't afford to have fixed. Only have 2 useable seat belts in back seat. Isn't this a safety issue?

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #4

May 292003

(reported on)

Prizm

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver's seat belt has gotten stuck in the retractor and had to be replaced twice since vehicle purchase. First failure at 27000 miles, and second failure at 88000 miles.

- Oak Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #3

Apr 182001

(reported on)

Prizm

  • miles
Driver's/ passenger's and rear seat belts have all become jammed in retracting mechanism, and will not release, causing seat belts to become inoperable.

- West Covina, CA, USA

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problem #2

Dec 111999

Prizm

  • miles
Seat belt won't pull out to restrain driver.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 211998

Prizm

  • miles
Seat belt has locked up at the retractor. The belt will not release itself outward.

- Ponchatoula, LA, USA

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