Seat Belt Not Retracting?
2 Answers
There are several reasons why a seat belt may not retract: 1. The upper slider of the seat belt is too close to the B-pillar, causing misalignment between the belt in the slider and the belt in the retractor box, leading to jamming during automatic retraction. The solution is to remove the fixing bolt and add a spring washer (use one identical to the original). 2. If the seat belt doesn't retract, you can open the decorative panel to clean dust and debris near the rollers and pawl mechanism, then spray throttle body cleaner (never use engine oil as it attracts dust). Seat belts are life-saving devices, which is why vehicles undergo rigorous multiple tests before leaving the factory.
I've also encountered situations where the seatbelt wouldn't retract, several times actually. It might be due to the retractor spring aging or loosening, lacking enough tension to pull back. Sometimes dust or small debris gets into the seatbelt track and gets stuck—try pulling it out and letting it retract a few times. It's best to clean the track area with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner, being careful not to get it wet. If it still doesn't work, the internal mechanism might be damaged, and you'll need to visit a professional repair shop for inspection and part replacement. After all, seatbelts are life-saving devices in critical moments, so you can't be careless about them. I recommend checking the seatbelt's retraction function every six months—early detection leads to early resolution, preventing small issues from becoming big problems while driving. Before attempting any DIY fixes, make sure the car is safely parked; never try to fix it while driving.
