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Seat Belt Buckle issue

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Freedom, Apr 15, 2015.

  1. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Rear seat, middle buckle, has been an issue from Day 1.

    Most of the time, something inside it jams, so you can't get the tab piece in. Sometimes, the whatever is not jammed and you can get the tab piece in, but the buckle will not snap closed and hold the tab piece, so it just comes out again.

    I've had this fixed many times over the 7 years I've had Carmine (purchased new); they tell me something inside was stuck and they loosened it. I've never been clear on what was stuck. Then it will be fine for 8 to 12 months, and jams again. They always say it was a quick thing, so it never shows up on my work order or receipt!

    Today I had Carmine in for oil and filter change, and to address the buckle again. NOW they tell me I need a whole new buckle -- $48.10 for the part, $111 with labor.

    Come on, this has been going on since Day 1, NOW after 7 years (no warranty) they tell me I need a new one?

    Oh, and the labor charge had to be increased some as they will have to deal with my Clazzio seat covers!

    Thoughts, anyone?
     
    #1 Freedom, Apr 15, 2015
  2. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    So, correct me if I read wrong.

    But, it works sometimes?

    If so, I might try to get one of those seatbelt "alarm" eliminators or belt extenders that permanently clip into the buckle. Then once you get that seated in the buckle, you would never have to deal with original buckle again. I think they are pretty reasonable.
     
    #2 Stevewoods, Apr 15, 2015
  3. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    It only works if they -- at the shop -- unjam it. Apparently there has been some turnover, no one seems to know what I am talking about in terms of unjamming it as of today. So it currently does not work, and won't work unless someone unjams it.

    Does that help?
     
    #3 Freedom, Apr 15, 2015
  4. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    IF......you have no documentation for this problem.....that is a mistake and might cost you about $160.
    But ask to talk to the service manager and hint around that you might be about ready to trade for a new one. ;)

    Does the middle rear belt really get used much ?
     
    #4 Easy Rider 2, Apr 15, 2015
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Any concern you bring up to the service writer is documented. That's how they get paid by Toyota for warranty work. Even a small thing like a stuck toothpick, would be documented so they get the 30 minutes warranty time for their technician's pay.

    If you have to pay out of pocket, you can get a used buckle on Ebay and install it yourself. It's really not that hard.
     
    #5 JC91006, Apr 15, 2015
  6. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    I need it for the tether for my dog. I have 4 dogs -- 3 go on tethers in the rear seat, one goes in the doggie car seat on the front passenger seat. Gets used at least twice a day. Just now I am making 93 mile trips twice a week, as well.

    The dogs in the back wear harnesses and have this type of tether: Petmate® Seat Belt Clip Tether | Safety Harnesses | PetSmart

    I have to alternate who sits up front with me :rolleyes:. The dog car seat has its own hook to attach to the harness on the dog.

    Gotta keep all family members safe!
     
    #6 Freedom, Apr 15, 2015
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This buckle might be over used. The dog tugging on it for 7 years. Probably just a worn part now.
     
    #7 JC91006, Apr 15, 2015
  8. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    With all those pooches, hope you are cleaning your fan back behind the seat....

    Anyway, I just did a google on

    unjam "seat belt" buckle

    searched just as I wrote it above. And found lots of hits. Apparently a common problem.

    I would try some of the solutions posted -- including at least one YouTube vid. I did not really read any of them, but sort of skimmed the opening lines, saw WD-40 mentioned a couple of times. I would try something like PB Blaster instead of the WD-40 myself.

    AND -- I would have one of those extender or alarm eliminator inserts at the ready and shove it in the buckle if it breaks loose. Otherwise, as mentioned, replace it yourself....As said, does not seem that difficult.
     
    #8 Stevewoods, Apr 15, 2015
  9. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    I understand that completely.
    My only two "grandkids" have 4 legs and fir !! :)
     
    #9 Easy Rider 2, Apr 15, 2015
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I actually believe the clip tether could be the problem. It might not be exactly the same as the seat belt. It doesn't fit perfectly and as the seat belt receiver ages, it gets worn and the problem gets worse.
     
    #10 JC91006, Apr 15, 2015
  11. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Fir?
    [​IMG]

    That's O.K. I own a Douglas fir tree farm. Also, my wife calls my car "the dog mobile" and says "dog is my co-pilot" (no backseat for my mutt).
     
    #11 Stevewoods, Apr 15, 2015
    cyberpriusII likes this.
  12. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    My dog is not allowed in the Prius. Especially now, since the Prius is in Iowa and dog is in Oregon. I think dogs in the Pacific Northwest have fir. In the remainder of the U.S., it is pretty much fur. :p
     
    #12 cyberpriusII, Apr 15, 2015
  13. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Damn no good spell checker. :(
     
    #13 Easy Rider 2, Apr 16, 2015
    cyberpriusII likes this.
  14. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    NOTHING works in that buckle, not even the car tab. From ANY belt. All the tethers work in the other buckles.
     
    #14 Freedom, Apr 16, 2015
  15. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I never no witch words too use :p
     
    #15 cyberpriusII, Apr 16, 2015
  16. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    fir shore.
     
    #16 Yakoma, Apr 16, 2015
  17. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    No that's fur shur. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #17 Easy Rider 2, Apr 16, 2015
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