This is Wheelchair accessible van. My wife sitting on it with seat belt on. Wheelchair was locked with a hook at each corner. While driving thru right turn at green light at about 35 mph, wheelchair tipped over to the left completely down to the floor, while hitting my wife's head with door and trapped her head between the door and the wheelchair. Later on, I found out that the left wheel of the wheelchair came off. My best guess is that the locking system failed to function properly and didn't grab the chair from topping. This happened the night of 10/28/2026. She ended up at ER at Mountain View Hospital, then got released same night. Before this happened, about 3 weeks ago I was driving at about 35-40 mph on a surface road, the wheelchair flipped backward. The wheelchair was again secured with 4 hooks, and she was on seat belt. Since she didn't have any injuries, I just ignored the incident and forgot about it until this recent incident. So, my best guess is that the locking system has failed somehow on both occasions. I have also reported to BraunAbility which is the conversion company for this van. The 4 hooks to hold the wheelchair is from AMF-Bruns. Has there been any safety issues like mine in the past? The subject car is available for inspection upon request at my residence. The hooks are NOT attached to any warning system as I know of. As of today, no one has inspected from manufacturer, police or insurance rep.
Toyota Sienna seat belt problems
152 of the 8,561 owner complaints about the Toyota Sienna describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 152
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $400
- typical mileage
- 75,000
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 5Power windows 2Jerking 2Hesitation 2Airbag light 2Pulling 1Steering noise 1Overheating 1
What owners say
Passenger side middle row seat belt has locked up fully retracted. Dealership service center stated on invoice, “nothing found to be causing the binding other than a mechanical issue, quoted replacing the seat belt assembly.”
The airbag light is on. The seatbelt on the passenger side gets stuck.
2nd row passenger side seat belt receptacle is not latching seat belt. The contact stated that a replacement part was ordered but not needed. It was discovered that the original part had debris inside and was cleaned out. The original part started working again and a repair was no longer needed.
Driver's side seat belt buckle stopped locking in seat belt. Buckle unit then came apart. I called toyota; was informed that there was a recall on this matter. I was told that I was 2 years past the scope of the recall. I informed them I never received a notice of recall so how would I be aware of problem until it occurred. Spoke to supervisor was told I was no longer covered under recall. Went to 2 mechanics and was unable to obtain needed part. I feel that for this safety item there should be no time limit on a recall and I felt Toyotas help in remeding the situation was poor especially as they tout their vehicles safety.
A few days ago the seat belt sensor would continue to beep and blink even after the seat belt was fastened. Then, on Friday, December 24th, 2021, a piece popped out of the seat belt latching mechanism on the driver's seat. Now it is difficult to get the seat belt to latch, and I am unsure that the latch would hold if the vehicle was in an accident that could cause serious injury to the driver. This is available to be inspected upon request. I haven't taken this to be looked at yet, but would like to know if this is something that I would have to pay for or if the manufacturer would cover the cost of this repair.
Drivers Seat belt latch had a spring pop out. It continued to work for a short time although less functional and then it would no longer latch.
One day when we tried to buckle the driver's side seat belt, little pieces flew out of the receiver side and it will no longer buckle. We took it to the Toyota dealer in N Syracuse NY and were told it would be a cost of $212 to replace and that it would be a two-week wait for the part to come in. This means that the owner and her two young babies would have to drive in an unsafe car, ILLEGALLY for two weeks putting her life and the life of her children in danger. The Toyota dealer inspected the seat belt and confirmed it was a defect and had failed. I called Toyota customer service and was told that there were no recalls for this defect and they would take no responsibility for the dangerous situation or consequences because the car was no longer under warranty. In fact, this is a problem that has been affecting many owners as indicated by an online search. Also, the fact that the dealer has to wait two weeks to obtain the part indicates that this seatbelt has failed many owners and they have used up the supply. This should be a recall situation but Toyota will take no responsibility.
Drivers side seat belt broke and was replaced. Fuel sensor not replaced causes vehicle to hesitate at times at freeway speed
Seat belt will not retract. No accident/collission. It seems the seat belt is defected and dealer refuses to correct, stating seat belt is out of warranty. My child pulled the seat belt to put it on and it just simply did not retract.
Related recalls
Seat belts: front
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured February 15, 2016, to February 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, incorrect front seat belt height adjusters may have been installed. During a crash, this incorrect height adjuster may contact the B-pillar and tear or separate.
- Risk
- Failure and detachment of seat belt height adjuster would result in the occupant not being properly restrained in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0H.
Recall number 16V197000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans, in the middle row seating position, the shoulder portion of the seat belt may bind in the bezel trim piece. The affected seat belt bezel is located on the shoulder portion of the seat in the right side seat of the seven passenger models and the center seating position in the eight passenger models.
- Risk
- If the seat belt binds in the bezel, that extra webbing may exist in the seat belt which could result in an improperly fitted seat belt on a passenger. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat belt bezel and clip. The recall began august 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 05V327000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota Sienna seat belt
Which Toyota Sienna years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (43 complaints), 2005 (34 complaints) and 2006 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix seat belt won't latch or retract on the Toyota Sienna?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $400 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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