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Mazda MX3 seat belt problems

23 of the 132 owner complaints about the Mazda MX3 describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 1992 model year.

owner complaints
23
worst model year
1992
typical mileage
99,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

What owners say

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Seat belts · WA

Automatic seatbelt is stuck in the middle position and cannot secure you in the event of an accident. Vehicle was taken in for an open recall but no work was performed due to lack of parts. They then closed the recall not allowing me to take it back for any repairs if parts become available. I thought they disabled the motor but as I got in one day the seatbelt moved and cannot be retracted anymore.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Seat belts · 99,000 miles · DE

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact stated that the drivers side motor for the seat belt failed and locked when she opened the door. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer; nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2011 · Seat belts · 93,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact stated that the automatic seat belt was jammed and would not latch. In addition, the shoulder strap would not come restrain over the shoulder. The contact believed the failure to be a severe safety issue because only the lap belt was operable. The failure mileage was 93,000 and the current mileage was unknown. Updated 06/01/11*lj updated 06/10/11

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Seat belts · 145,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. While driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the driver side seat belt became stuck in the back position and would not move forward. The contact pressed the emergency release button to get out of the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed of recall 97v211000 (seat belts: front: webbing). The contact was told by the dealer that he had to have the door latch switch repaired before the recall repair could be performed. He was also told that the wiring needed to be inspected but he would be charged for it. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000 and the current mileage was approximately 149,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Seat belts · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* contact owns a 1992 mazda mx3. The vehicle was parked and the contact observed the driver side seat belt retractor does not extract the webbing properly. The authorized dealer was notified and informed that a prior recall repair was performed on the vehicle in december of 1998. The federal safety agency campaign id number was 97v211000 (seat belts: front: webbing). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact had concern of the safety hazard involved. The failure mileage was 120,000. The current mileage was 120,500.

Filed Jul 22, 2008 · Seat belts · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The driver side front seat belt was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v211000 (seat belts:front:webbing) in january 15, 2002. Recently, the front passenger side front seat belt cable and retractor failed. The manufacturer stated that the front driver side seat belt was repaired; therefore, the recall was closed. The contact will need to replace the seat belt on his own. He is arguing with the manufacturer that the recall stated that both seat belts should be replaced. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 197,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Seat belts · 136,000 miles · MN

Driver's side automatic seat belt failed. A recall was issued and repairs done. However, problem recurred. *ak billion mazda of sioux falls ordered a new automatic seat belt assy problem fixed.

Filed May 27, 2004 · Seat belts · 92 miles · 00

The automatic seat belt became stuck and is unable to retract on the driver's side. The dealer has examined the vehicle and found that the cable was twisted inside of the housing.

Filed Jun 7, 2003 · Seat belts · 53,000 miles · HI

Seat belt malfunction previously repaired under recall 97v211000 is recurring with same symptoms of seat belt not retracting when door is opened to exit vehicle. Is the cause now the same as it was when first repaired and if so, does the same recall apply as it seems the cause remains a defect?

Filed Jun 20, 2002 · Seat belts · MS

Passenger's front seatbelt buckle does not buckle. Took vehicle to dealer, and they could not correct the problem. Please provide any further information.

Related recalls

Seat belts: front: webbingReported November 18, 1997 · 134,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front seat automatic shoulder belts. The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly can become jammed in the rail rendering the shoulder belt inoperative.
Risk
A seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passive shoulder belt assembly with a modified one (with additional dust lip) in vehicles which have experienced a problem. In vehicles in which the automatic shoulder belt functions properly, the rails will be inspected and replaced with modified rails if they exceed the inspection criteria.

Recall number 97V211000 · Recall details

Questions about the Mazda MX3 seat belt

Which Mazda MX3 years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1992 (13 complaints) and 1993 (10 complaints).

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