1997 Toyota Camry: seat belt won't latch or retract

10 of the 555 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Camry describe seat belt won't latch or retract.

owner complaints: 10
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 84,453
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Seat belt won't latch or retract by model year

2024
1
2022
1
2021
1
2020
6
2019
6
2018
1
2017
3
2016
4
2014
2
2013
5
2012
5
2011
2
2010
3
2009
3
2008
3
2007
18
2006
3
2005
27
2004
4
2003
9
2002
4
2001
4
2000
9
1999
10
1998
12
1997
10
1996
8
1995
4
1994
2
1993
2
1992
3
1991
5
1990
8

What owners say

Filed Aug 16, 2007 · Seat belts · 17,855 miles · MA

The rear seat belts do not roll back after pulled out. Now they are staying on the seats. Driver's seat belt retracts slow.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Seat belts · 155,000 miles · TX

Seat belt retractor failure. Seat belt was extended to use, but once extended and secured will not retract to proper tension. Has now happened a third time to separate belts. Twice on driver's side, once on passenger's side in the front.

Filed Dec 9, 2004 · Seat belts · 88,207 miles · SC

Drivers side seatbelt fails to retract as it should...I noticed that there were 8 other complaints on the database. I also have 2 friends that have also experienced the same failure with their camrys.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Seat belts · IN

Rear seat belt would not retract after extending seat belt to lock in place.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Seat belts · 35,000 miles · NY

2 years ago I had the drivers side rear seat belt fail. The locking mechanism failed allowing the seat belt to come out and then would not retract. It had to be replaced. This past summer I had the passenger side rear seat belt develop the same problem (it also failed) and needed replacement.

Filed Jun 17, 2003 · Seat belts · 84,453 miles · CA

Drivers seat belt lock is not working properly.manufacturer was not contacted. Dealer was contacted, and has told the consumer that they will charge almost $600.00 to fix it because it was not under warranty.

Filed May 21, 2003 · Seat belts · MO

When the brakes were applied, the seat belt locked up. *jb made attempt to contact consumer 10/16/07, no answer *lj return usps, made 2nd attempt 07/16/07 failed.

Filed Aug 30, 2002 · Seat belts · UT

The seat belt retractor assembly is broken. The seat belt is inoperable. This of course poses a significant safety hazard to passengers in this seat. It also presents a legal issue because a child is normally seated there who now cannot operate this seat belt. Contact was made on 8/28/02 with the dealership where the car was purchased . They will not replace the seat belt at their expense.

Filed Aug 28, 2002 · Seat belts · LA

The drivers side front seat belt froze and will not retract or release additional length. Three to four months later the passenger side front seat belt began having problems retracting and releasing. It will probably fail completely too, soon. Reported to dealer who stated it is not covered under any warranty. Reported to manufacturer (toyota) who stated that the 5year /60000 mile warranty had expired for this component. Opened up complaint with toyota who advised us to have it fixed and send them a copy of the bill. The supervisor stated they will "look into it, but can't make any guarantees". When questioned they admitted there have been other complaints about this problem. Since this is a primary safety component it should be investigated as a manufacturing or design safety defect.

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Seat belts · CA

Seat belt button failed. Nlm