Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt will not retract. This occurs every time the seat belt is used. The vehicle was not involved in any accidents that would have caused this failure. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted; the seat belt could no longer be replaced due to the availability of the parts. There are no after market parts available. When the consumer did find a part, no one was willing to install the lap belt for fear of liability. Updated 05/30/06.
Geo Prizm seat belt problems
45 of the 601 owner complaints about the Geo Prizm describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 45
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical mileage
- 115,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
During an accident the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt equipment failed to lock.*mr everyone inside the vehicle sustained some type of injury (geo prizm). *nm updated 12/22/05
Driver's seat belt will not buckle. The belt does not come out of holder.
I have a 1997 geo prizm. The driver side seat belt will not fully extend and locks up multiple times when trying to pull it out to lock in place for safe driving. This is my second geo prizm that has had this problem. I feel there should be a voluntary recall by the manufacturer to get this fixed on all their cars.
Driver's side seat belt retractor failed at 12,611 mi (3/29/99) and again at 24,000 mi. (out of warranty time by a few months). Central chevrolet in fremont, ca fixed both times. 2nd time cost $200+ and rental car charge. Central advised they wouldn't reduce the cost of 2nd failure because I didn't have my maintenance service work done by them. Back seat, passenger side seat belt retractor has also failed (won't retract). Can't afford to have fixed. Only have 2 useable seat belts in back seat. Isn't this a safety issue?
Driver's seat belt has gotten stuck in the retractor and had to be replaced twice since vehicle purchase. First failure at 27000 miles, and second failure at 88000 miles.
The driver seat belt locked up and did not release. (the lock mechanism was broke) *ts. The rear seat belt also experienced the same problem.
The seat belt anchors on consumers vehicle broke. Consumer researched and found out that there are a number of recalls due to the defective belts for this vehicle. Consumer spoke to a geo representive who explained that there was no recall for the anchor straps. The representative would not confirm in writing what was told to the consumer.
At approximately 120,000 miles driver side seatbelt failed to retract and was replaced by owner. At 170,000 miles both rear retractable seatbelt's started jaming because the belt itself folds in half while retracting, causing seatbelt to "lock" up. Seatbelt can be removed and un ammed, but problem continues to repeat itself.
Rear lap seat belt is inoperative, belt will not latch. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Geo Prizm seat belt
Which Geo Prizm years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (12 complaints), 1997 (10 complaints) and 1995 (7 complaints).
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