Info - Avoiding 3rd Row Center Seat Belt Retractor Lock-Up

This bulletin concerns seat belt retractor lockup in the third row, center seating position from folding the seat while the seat belt is buckled or rapid seat belt retraction. Methods for avoiding and addressing this condition are described below.

Some vehicles may be delivered to the dealer with the 3rd row center seat belt already buckled as part of the plant process. If the 3rd row left seat is folded and unfolded during a point of sale demonstration or after delivery to the customer, the center seat belt may lock up. In most cases, the belt will release once the buckle is unlatched. If it does not release, follow the method listed below. Also, if both seats are folded while the center seat is buckled, the seats cannot be unfolded unless the center belt is unbuckled or by raising the right side seat first.

Seat belt lock-up may also occur by allowing the belt to enter the retractor at a high rate of speed. If the belt is allowed to go all the way back into the retractor very quickly, it is possible that the force of the belt stopping suddenly against the seat back will vibrate the retractor. This vibration "fools" the retractor into thinking that the vehicle is changing velocity. The normal function of the retractor under this condition is to lock the belt.

Important: The retractor should not be replaced for a lock-up condition unless it cannot be released by the following method.

To release the seat belt from the locked position, grasp the webbing just before it goes into the retractor and give a slow steady pull to remove the slack on the spool, then allow it to pay back in until the retractor is unlocked. Please demonstrate this action to your customer. After an explanation and demonstration, most customers should be able to unlock the retractor without a concern. You may give a copy of this bulletin to your customer for further reference.