Toyota RAV4 seat belt problems

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Seat belts · OH

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving the rear passenger-side seat belt in my 2023 Toyota RAV4. After normal use, a child who had been properly secured in a child booster seat in the rear passenger-side seating position was unable to be released from the seat belt. The vehicle had not been involved in an accident, collision, or any emergency situation. The child had simply been riding in the vehicle under normal driving conditions. When it was time for the child to exit the vehicle, the rear passenger-side seat belt had become tangled and tightened around the child. The seat belt would not unlock or release despite repeated attempts to unbuckle it and allow the belt to retract or loosen. The restraint effectively trapped the child in the booster seat. Because the child could not be freed using the seat belt release mechanism, the only way to remove the child safely was to cut the seat belt. This occurred solely because the seat belt could not be released after ordinary use, not because of a crash or any other unusual event. A seat belt is intended to protect occupants while also allowing them to exit the vehicle safely after normal operation. In this case, the rear passenger-side seat belt failed to function as intended and created a serious safety hazard by trapping a child and requiring the seat belt to be cut in order to free them. I am requesting that this incident be investigated to determine whether the rear passenger-side seat belt or its locking mechanism has a manufacturing defect or design issue that could pose a risk to other occupants, particularly children using booster seats. I am able to provide additional information, photographs, repair records, or any other documentation requested as part of an investigation.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Seat belts · ID

The drivers side front seat belt buckle will not latch. There is no dirt or other debris in the latch to stop it from functioning.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · PA

2014 Toyota RAV4 AWD XLE purchased June 2025. Multiple pre-existing safety defects confirmed by dealership personnel were never disclosed at time of sale. POWER TRAIN: Torque converter failure — vibration documented at pre-sale inspection, never disclosed or diagnosed. Axle bracket corroded so severely it was fused to axle and required cutting off — confirmed by service advisor on recorded call. BRAKES: Aftermarket brake parts installed pre-sale without disclosure. Brake system rated RED by dealership within 9,734 miles of purchase. Severe brake pedal pulsation confirmed on multiple invoices. ODY/STRUCTURE: Severe underbody and structural corrosion — subframe, crossmembers, fuel tank surfaces — never disclosed. Swollen lug nuts documented. Prior welded exhaust repair undisclosed. Exhaust flange separation and catalytic converter failure — repair quote $4,745. SEAT BELT: Rock found lodged in seat belt buckle — safety restraint failure — not noted on pre-sale inspection. RECALL 23V734000 / 23TA13: Aftermarket battery used as recall remedy — OEM replacement required — non-compliant — fire risk not disclosed at sale. All defects confirmed by dealership invoices, MPI video, and recorded calls. Vehicle out of service since February 2026. Complete documentation available.

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Seat belts · PA

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the front driver's and rear passenger's seat belt buckles and the other rear seat belt buckle, where a child was seated, failed to latch securely, causing his grandchild's rear passenger's side car seat to become loose. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Seat belts · FL

Complaint Summary: Seatbelt failure on 2019 Toyota RAV4. Complaint Description: I own a 2019 Toyota RAV4, and the driver-side seatbelt has begun failing. The retractor and locking mechanism are not working reliably. Sometimes the belt won’t retract, sometimes it locks up randomly, and other times it doesn’t lock at all. This is a major safety hazard. I’ve owned many vehicles over my lifetime—older cars, newer cars, even vehicles over 50 years old—and I’ve never had a seatbelt go bad. This is the first time I’ve experienced a critical safety component failing like this. Toyota has issued seatbelt-related recalls on other RAV4 model years, but not on the 2019, even though the symptoms match what others have reported. This failure puts me at risk in the event of a crash, and it needs to be investigated. I am reporting this because I believe this is a safety defect, not normal wear, and it may affect more 2019 RAV4s than just mine.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Body, Locks · 32,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to remain securely closed. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred and became more frequent over time. Additionally, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle and rear passenger’s side seat belt buckle failed to buckle and lock securely. They also stated that the front driver's side electronic reclining seat made grinding sounds while operating. The contact also stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the rear passenger’s side quarter panel. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · 9,000 miles · FL · crash

The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH into a parking space, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration three times and crashed into a guard pipe. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger's side seat belt was loose and failed to restrain the contact's husband in his seat. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt failed to retract after the crash. The contact and her husband did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that an engineer would inspect the Event Data Recorder (EDR) in three months. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Airbags, Driver assistance · NC · crash · 2 injuries

On 9/5, a car darted out in front of me while I was traveling straight at 45 miles per hour. I hit the brakes but t-boned him. The car then spins around and hits me again on the passenger quarter panel. No emergency brake, precollision no warning light came on. The airbag didnt deploy. I hit my chest on the steering while and my head on the window. The seat belt didnt lock me down. I purchased the brand new Rav4 a week prior.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Seat belts · PA

At times it is difficult to connect seat belt into the lock I have to press release multiple times and try to lock in and click seat belt several times. It sometimes connect on first try and has taken 20 minutes to connect seat belt. As of 8/12/25 in for repairs at a cost $430 Driver and left set set belt lock replaced

Filed Jun 11, 2025 · Seat belts · TN

Seat belt lap buckle won't lock into the housing unit. Obviously a safety issue. Toyota told me I'm responsible to pay for the repairs . I believe Toyota has a potential recall issues here. How many people have to die before anything is done. 2017 Rav 4. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)