The drivers seat belt has a very slow return. What is the solution to fix this? Is it a big job? Do you think it would be included on a warranty?

 

I think you would need to take off the B post panel and see if there is anything snagging the belt behind the panel. It could be something very simple. If not, then its another belt assembly, I'm afraid. These things have no maintenance requirements at all, when they go, they go, and need replacing.

 

I don't think anything is snagging it, but either way the B post panel must come out. How much labor does that take? I plan to take my car by the repair shop and shot this by him. If he thinks it'll go through then we'll fix it. It should be covered.

 

they useally get twisted when you let go of the belt and occassionaly they slide behind the panel. do it another time or 2 and it will either stick in or wont come out. I useally dont pull the panel as I can tell when I pull it all the way out, especially if the buckle doesnt face the right way. either way pull the panel back after you pull both the front and rear door rubber seal away from the panel. you can useally pop it out enough to peer behind when you pull the belt all the way out and in

 

I had this problem on my '04. I took the whole lot to pieces (B post cover, seatbelt winding mechanism etc.) and could not find anything wrong, there was no snagging or twisting. I think there was something in the spring mechanism that was tired out (this was at 30k miles and 4 years BTW)! I lived with it for 3 1/2 years before selling the car. The only option from the dealer was to replace the whole mechanism and if I recall correctly it was north of $500 so I just lived with it. I was hoping that I could just wind the spring a little more to give it some more tension but it was sealed. I did keep half an eye out for a used one but it seems things like this don't get recycled very often....

- Tim