Subject: | Seat Belt System Replacement Guidelines for Vehicles Involved in
Collisions |
Models: | 2002 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks |
The following information should be used as guidelines
for determining if seat belt system components require replacement after a
vehicle has been involved in a collision.
Caution: Restraint systems can be damaged in a collision. To help avoid injury
and ensure that all parts in need of replacement are replaced:
• | Replace any seat belt system that was in use during a collision
serious enough to deploy any automatic restraint device such as air bags and
seat belt pretensioners. This not only includes seat belt systems in use by
people of adult size, but seat belt systems used to secure child restraints,
infant carriers and booster seats, including LATCH* system and top tether
anchorages. |
• | Replace any seat belt system that has torn, worn, or damaged components.
This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints
and LATCH system components, if any. |
• | Replace any seat belt system if you observe the words "REPLACE"
or "CAUTION", or if a yellow tag is visible. Do not replace a
seat belt system if only the child seat caution label is visible. |
• | Replace any seat belt system if you are doubtful about its condition.
This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints,
LATCH system components, and any restraint system used to secure infant carriers,
child restraints and booster seats. |
Do NOT replace single seat belt system components in vehicles that have
been in a collision as described above. Always replace the entire seat belt
system with the buckle, guide and retractor assembly, which includes the latch
and webbing material.
After a minor collision where no automatic restraint device
was deployed, seat belt system replacement may not be necessary, unless some
of the parts are torn, worn, or otherwise damaged.
*LATCH is the industry-standard acronym for the built-in
child restraint securing system - Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children. Latch consists of the top strap anchors in the vehicle, as well
as the built-in "receivers" for LATCH-equipped, aftermarket child
restraints.