35 of the
751 complaints about the 1998 Toyota Camry are about the
seat belts — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,000 miles.
STARTING IN 2015, THREE OF THE 5 SEAT BELTS IN MY 1998 CAMRY DO NOT REMAIN LATCHED, OR FAIL TO INITIALLY LATCH. AS A (RETIRED) MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I DISASSEMBLED THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THE DEFECT IS IN THE ANCHOR MECHANISM WITH THE "PRESS" BUTTON ON IT. THE "PRESS" BUTTON HAS A METAL SPRING MOUNTED ON THE RED PLASTIC PART, AND THE PLASTIC HAS GRADUALLY CRACKED AT THE SPRING MOUNT. THIS METAL SPRING IS WHAT PUSHES THE METAL BLOCK THROUGH THE RECTANGULAR HOLE IN THE SHOULDER BELT COUPLER, WHEN IT IS PLUGGED INTO THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR AND LATCHED PROPERLY. EVENTUALLY, THE CRACK GROWS TO THE POINT THAT THE METAL SPRING CANNOT EXERT ENOUGH FORCE TO RELIABLY LATCH TO THE SHOULDER BELT. IT MAY INITIALLY LATCH AND FEEL SECURE, BUT CAN THEN COME LOOSE SEVERAL MINUTES LATER WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I PLAN TO INCLUDE 3 PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM PART, ONE SHOWING THE CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, SO THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS. THE LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SEAT BELTS, SO I BOUGHT NEW TOYOTA REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BELT ANCHORS. WE LIVE IN THE DESERT, SO LONG-TERM HEAT AND COLD CYCLES COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. THE SPRING HAS ITS HEAVIEST LOAD ON THE PLASTIC MOUNT WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS NOT ENGAGED, SO THE CRACK COULD POSSIBLY START, OR GROW, EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS NOT BEING USED.
NHTSA complaint #10861255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,750 milesLittleton, CO
SEAT BELTS
BACK SEAT CENTER SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #10664156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAlamogordo, NM
SEAT BELTS
REAR, RIGHT SEAT BELT WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT; EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RETRACT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10456565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRoseville, CA
SEAT BELTS
REAR PASSENGER BELT STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10281913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,127 milesBeaverton, OR
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT SUDDENLY WILL NOT RETRACT. THE REAR SIDE SEATBELTS SEEM TO GET STUCK EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. MY BROTHER PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM OUR MOM (WHO HAS BEEN THE ONLY OWNER) LAST YEAR, AND WERE WONDERING IF SHE MISSED A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10239837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesLincoln, NE
SEAT BELTS
WE PURCHASED OUR 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY FROM MY HUSBAND'S 70 YEAR OLD PARENTS LAST YEAR. THERE ARE 82,000 MILES AS OF 1/08. THERE ARE TWO BROKEN SEATBELTS IN THE BACK SEAT(PASSENGER SIDE AND MIDDLE), AND BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS EITHER DO NOT RETRACT OR HAVE TO BE MANUALLY FED BACK INTO THE RETRACTOR. IS THERE ANY KIND OF RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA complaint #10216816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesParkridge, IL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 99V307000 (STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FEARS THAT A CRASH MAY OCCUR IF HE DRIVES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TWO REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT PROPERLY. HE IS UNABLE TO PULL THEM BACK INTO THEIR REGULAR POSITION OR PUSH THEM IN ANYMORE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10196480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesAlbuquerqe, NM
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEAT BELT ON MY 98 TOYOTA CAMRY MALFUNCTIONED WILL NOT RETRACT. MY 5 YEAR OLD WAS PULLING ON THE SEAT BELT AND PULLED IT OUT ALL THE WAY. DEALER SAID HE WOULD FIX FOR $200.00 I ASKED HIM WHY THEY DON'T FIX IT FOR FREE SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT'S WHAT THEY CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10161935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. I CHOSE NOT TO GET IT REPLACED, BECAUSE MY CHILD RIDES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. MY CHILD IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO SIT IN A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK, AND IT IS VERY AWKWARD TO USE THE CENTER SEAT WITH THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF HIS BOOSTER. I WILL BE SPENDING NEARLY $600 TO GET THE SHOULDER BELTS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10139975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK ON THE LEFT LOCKED ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO, COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT. ABOUT 6 WEEKS LATER THE RIGHT ONE WOULD NOT RETRACT. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA, AND WAS TOLD IT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER , DID HAVE THEM REPLACED, BUT THEY WERE HARDLY EVER USED.
NHTSA complaint #10127017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wartburg, TN
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM CONSUMERS. I BELIEVE IT IS TIME THE MANUFACTURER TOOK NOTE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10122316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesStow, MACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE MAKING A SLIGHT TURN, THE STEERING CONTINUED TO TURN RIGHT AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A STONE WALL. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONSUMERS SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK PAIN DUE TO HITTING HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10113509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MA
SEAT BELTS
WATER PUMP BURST AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER WAS AWAITING A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. *PH CC COPY TO NHTSA
NHTSA complaint #10056099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alsea, OR
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE CHILD WAS FASTENED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE CHILD LEANED OVER TO LAY IN THE SEAT AND SLIPPED HER HEAD AND SHOULDER IN THE CENTER RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT. WHEN THE CHILD MOVED SUDDENLY TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AROUND HER NECK, STRANGLING HER. THE MORE THE CHILD MOVED TO FREE HERSELF THE TIGHTER THE BELT BECAME. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT OFF THE CHILD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BELT AND RETRACTOR. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005.
NHTSA complaint #10099302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, TN
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CONSUMER NOTICED REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. AFTER RELEASING BUCKETS LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. DEALER INDICATED SORRY YOU DON'T HAVE NO LONGER WARRANTY, WOULD COST YOU $300.00 AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10081446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martinsburg, WV
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
2 OF MY 3 REAR SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T RETRACT. THEY BROKE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE SYSTEM REPLACED. *J B
NHTSA complaint #10080457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,844 milesWestbury, NY
SEAT BELTS
WHEN THE CONSUMER UNLATCHED THE SEAT BELT, IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK BOTH THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WAS FELT MORE WHEN BRAKING. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10073475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesLockport, LA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
IN DECEMBER STARTING ON THE 5TH MY REAR SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. A FEW WEEKS LATER A SECOND SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #10054452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,250 milesRaleigh, NC
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CENTER REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. *AK THE FAILURE WAS UNEXPECTED AND SEEMED TO BE A DEFECT. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE CENTER BELT IN THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR COST.
NHTSA complaint #10049838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPlantation, FL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. THE DEALER SAID IT'S NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF MILEAGE OVER 60,000. SEAT BELTS TOO LARGE NOW TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO KIDS.
NHTSA complaint #10042941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesLaurinburg, NC
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. OCCURRED JUST AFTER 60,000 MILES AND DEALER SAID NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW 109,672.
NHTSA complaint #10019045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minot AFB, ND
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reston, VA
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE IS EXITED. IT GETS CAUGHT IN DOOR AND IS DAMAGED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME BY THE DOOR BEING SLAMMED AGAINST IT.
NHTSA complaint #10004951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tehachapi, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE TRAVELING THE CONSUMER HAD NO WAY OF BELTING IN THE CHILDERN DUE TO THE LATCHES IN THE REAR SEAT NOT WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND SEATBELT RETRACTOR FAILED. SEAT BELT CAME APART AND WON'T GO BACK IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #864420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danbury, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND FROM THE RETRACTING MECHANISM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #858983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
REAR SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT TO FIT AROUND SELF OR ANYONE ELSE THE SAME SIZE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #856707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hills, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE BRAKES ARE MAKING GRINDING NOISE. THEY HAVE BEEN CHANGED ONCE BY THE DEALERSHIP AT 13000 MILES, AND THEN AT 27000 MILES THEY WERE AGAIN CHANGED BY SEARS. BUT THE BRAKES ARE GETTING WORN OUT EASILY AND THE GRINDING SOUND WILL NOT STOP. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS HAVE BOTH FAILED AT 20000 AND 27000. THEY GET STUCK AND WONT COME IN OR OUT. THEY HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE DEALER
NHTSA complaint #716686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE SEATBELTS BECAME LOCKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENED UPON ENTERING THE CAR.DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #847758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Gate, CA
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
BACK SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #609164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.