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Rear Seat Buckling Problems in the 2010 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by gtonnell, Oct 10, 2009.

  1. gtonnell

    gtonnell New Member

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    I have two small child booster seats in the rear of my new 2010 Prius. I have a very difficult time fastening the seat belts because the catch recedes down into the seat making it next to impossible to connect. Our last car, a 2006 Prius, did not have that problem -- even our two grandchildren (8 and 5) could fasten their belts by themselves. Now, they can't and we spend minutes leaning over and trying to fasten the belts for them. Does anyone have a solution -- or is this just a design flaw on the 2010 Prius?

    P. S. In an attempt to solve the problem, I stuffed two to three rolled up socks down under the seat belt catch in an effort to prop them up.
     
    4 people like this.
  2. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

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    VERY astute perception.

    I have had this same situation in our car, often when we take friends, the gals ride in the front and us guys ride in the rear. One of our friends who rides in the back with me is heavy set (probably 265-275lbs.) and he is never able to fasten his belt, I have to fasten it for him, and often I struggle, wondering if it can be done.

    It's NOT because of his girth, but rather, because the belt itself is too short and when attempting to plug the blade into the socket, the entire socket assembly pushes into the seat, there's simply NOT enough of the socket assembly to grasp and hold on to while plugging the blade into it.

    I hear you, it's a bear! I'm glad you brought this up, can't believe I or no one else has mentioned this before.

    THANKS!

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
  3. hnfleming

    hnfleming New Member

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    I have the same problem with the booster seats. A lot of frustration in a child makes for a lot of stress in mommy! Did the rolled up socks solve it? If not, any other ideas?
     
  4. mr_slavi

    mr_slavi Junior Member

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    Same problem here,my wife complains every time when she buckles the kid in his buster seat.
     
  5. Mystic

    Mystic New Member

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    Same trouble here. Although I find the driver's side worse than the passenger side. That's the side with the two buckles, what a PITA it is to get one buckles when the booster seat was there. I had to move the booster to the other side so my son can get it buckled himself.

    Michael
     
  6. SFguy2009

    SFguy2009 Junior Member

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    I am glad someone made a post for this problem. My wife has been complaining about this when we first got the car. Fortunately my daughter have managed to get a hang of it, although occasionally she had a tough time when we were in a rush. When the center armrest/cupholder console is down, it is especially much harder. I am trying to find something to prop that part of the seatbelt receptor without damaging the leather seating. That socks idea is crude, but I might just try that ...lol:)
     
  7. MUPAUL

    MUPAUL 55 MPG Average

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    My four year old had a problem at first. But she got it after a week or so and now only needs help if the center console is down. They sure are down far and soft, however.
     
  8. vxn401

    vxn401 New Member

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    +1 on the problem.
    Not only can my kids no longer buckle themselves in their bosters (like the last car), but I find it very hard to buckle them in myself when I lean back there. One booster is hard enough, but I dread putting in two bosters and an 8-year in the back. At first I though it was the angle that I was trying to insert the buckle, but the buckle just sinks into the seat no matter what angle I try.
     
  9. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    my 7 year-old daughter who usually gets aggravated with these types of things, has had little problem with ours. I guess I got lucky.
     
  10. Xanadu

    Xanadu New Member

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    I just got my Prius on MOnday, and my 5 year-old cannot buckle himself in. He sits on the driver's side. When I finally give up on trying to coach him into how to do it, I too, have trouble trying to do it myself. I will try the sock thing, but really feel the solution should come from Toyota- This is a brand new car! I will write a letter, and suggest you all do the same. Maybe WE can get something done.
     
  11. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    For all of you who have encountered this problem, please contact Toyota directly and make them aware of this issue.

    This and other problems that have been showing up with the G3s need to be brought to Toyota's attention.

    Best wishes,
     
  12. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    For the kids that need seats, I use LATCH attached seats and secure the child with integrated restraints in the seats. The other kids are big/old enough to figure out the belts on their own.

    The buckles need to "submerge" into the seat just a bit in order to allow the seats to fold down flat w/o damaging the seating surfaces.
     
  13. hythere

    hythere HyThere

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    For those who seem to be having the problem buckling with child seats, may I ask if you have leather or cloth seats??

    I noticed the same difficulty also and thought it was because we had the seats changed to leather. (Never had the child seats in when it was still cloth)

    Anyway, I have a Highlander Hybrid as well and had the seats switched to leather. We have no problems with these buckles as the shaft is much longer and does NOT sink into the seat crevice.

    I might have to try the sock idea or fashion another quick fix.
     
  14. gtonnell

    gtonnell New Member

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    Reply: I might explain that I used freshly cleaned socks--those that are not in style anymore. Did they help? Yes, to some degree, but it is still a pain to get the seat belts latched. Gtonnell
     
  15. Dakine50

    Dakine50 Member

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    Check out the owner's manual under Adjustable components, page 88 and they list a seat belt extender available for free!:)
    Hope this helps....
     
  16. Dakine50

    Dakine50 Member

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    Also try Ebay / Goggling, "seat belt extender."
     
  17. Radiant

    Radiant New Member

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    I've noticed it too. I have the cloth seats and my daughter could buckle herself in on our last car just fine. Now she has a hard time. I think I will look up the free seatbelt extender and try the socks in the meantime.

    I will only place her in the middle now as my last car was totaled by a crazy speeding driver who T-boned me in an intersection. So if you see me sitting at the green light until the other cars stop completely, just wave and wait - honking won't help.
     
  18. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    Shouldn't this be an issue for the NHTSA? I have not yet tried it, but will be transporting my granddaughter soon.
     
  19. jayong

    jayong New Member

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    Yup. I asked my dealership for this extender for the exact same reason all the posters here mentioned - it's a real pain to get my daughter buckled into her booster. Believe it or not, it's an EVEN BIGGER pain to try to get the extender, for the following reasons:

    1) Dealership will only offer the extender to you for obese people. Not for children, but only for obese people who can't fit into the regular seat belt.

    2) Both the driver and the obese person needs to be there at the dealership, in person.

    3) Someone from Service will need to measure the "fit" and fill out a long legal form, signed by the owner, to order the extender from Toyota. They don't stock them at all.

    4) You can't buy it even if you're willing to pay for it. Toyota's legal team (probably same geniuses who insisted on the Nav lockout) requires the dealerships to enforce these asinine rules.

    Maybe my dealership was pulling my leg, but there was no way to argue with them.

    Jay
     
  20. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    My wife was taking care of the grandkids, one 2 and 9 for 7 weeks never complained about the seat belts
    SO everyone complaining must be doing something wrong LOL :D