Check a VIN

Toyota Tacoma seat belt problems

48 of the 8,489 owner complaints about the Toyota Tacoma describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 1996 model year.

owner complaints
48
worst model year
1996
typical mileage
88,640
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    2
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    3
  • 2005
    1
  • 2004
    1
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    1
  • 1999
    3
  • 1998
    3
  • 1997
    8
  • 1996
    8
  • 1995
    3

Often reported together

No deployment 5Airbag light 2

Trouble codes mentioned

B1801 1

What owners say

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · GU

The SRS airbags both driver and passender side warning lights turned on 1/23/2025 at 6:06 pm right after I got home from work. The air bag failed to turn off when the seat belt is fasten to the seatbelt buckle. When the seat belt was in place and removed from holster, the indicator light lit up and a bell sound alerted me as the operator of the truck, the seat belt warning also triggered the air bag lights to turn on with a indicator SRS airbags off. The indicator resumes as the airbag off lights remain on until the car engine is off. When the engine is turned back on, the warning lights of both driver and passenger seat belt is on.

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · Seat belts · 18,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the seat belt buckle failed to secure the seat belt locking clip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2022 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA · crash · 2 injuries

The truck was rear ended on 8/15 by a car going 45 miles per hour at a stop light. The air bag sensor went on and air bag did not deploy. It DID NOT deploy when it should have. Both passenger and driver seatbelt did not lock. They DID NOT LOCK. That sensor is also on. Was contacted by dealer after they were notified air bag went off when it did not go off and should have gone off. Seatbelts did not lock on impact causing injury. Car is not drivable due to these sensors and life saving features not working. Sensors are on. Insurance company says car can not be driven it is unsafe. Both driver and passenger went to emergency room. It is our sons car who is in college in Colorado.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Seat belts · VT

Rear driver seatbelt retracts but won’t reel back up. After replacing it, shop recognized the ineffective nature of the other side. Safety of my children at risk. Inspected by independent shop and dealer. No warning lights. Symptoms include less effective

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Airbags, Seat belts · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tacoma was rear-ended at 80 mph. Tacoma rolled over three times front airbags did not go off.. side curtain bags did.. seat belt on driver side failed after the second rollover.. rear cross traffic warning did not go off.. driver seat collapsed. driver was injured and was in trauma unit for 3 weeks. Vehicle last known is located off of belvedere road in West Palm Beach Florida.. I called up Toyota and a third party got the EDR from the vehicle.. I have a copy of it. As far as I know the problem has not been inspected.

Filed Apr 27, 2021 · Airbags, Seat belts · 19,520 miles · TX

The passenger seatbelt light keeps blinking when seat belt is buckled and it says passenger airbag is off while there is someone in there and buckled up. This happens when parked or driving, we have unhooked the battery to try to reset it. No luck. I am afraid if we were to get in an accident the passenger airbag would not deploy.

Filed Feb 22, 2021 · Seat belts · AR

The seatbelt in the driver seat is extremely hard to buckle. I have to force the the seatbelt into the buckle several times before it latches. I feel like it's a faulty latch and needs to be replaced.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Seat belts · 200,000 miles · AR

The driver side seat belt started fraying and after while locked up ,would not retracted or pull out. Now the passenger side is fraying and now it is locked up, it does not matter if the engine is running or not it will not retracted or pull out.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · Seat belts · 25,000 miles · NY

Driver seat belt does not retract after release. Concerned the seat belt may be defective during an accident.

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Seat belts · 49,000 miles · MN

Passenger side seat belt buckle latch is assembled backwards. Note this is a certified used vehicle I bought in nov 2016, with 41,000 miles from carlson toyota. I just noticed the issue.

Related recalls

Seat beltsReported August 7, 2013 · 342,451 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
Risk
If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 13V337000 · Recall details

Seat belts: frontReported May 5, 2004 · 8 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, 'seat belt assemblies.' the driver's side seat belt has incorrect markings.
Risk
This does not meet the standard.
Remedy
Dealers have replaced the seat belts. No vehicles were sold to consumers.

Recall number 04V214000 · Recall details

Questions about the Toyota Tacoma seat belt

Which Toyota Tacoma years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1996 (8 complaints), 1997 (8 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Toyota Tacoma?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history