Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Seat belt starting to shread


Recommended Posts

Hi. I have a great '98 OB wagon. Love it! A real trooper. My driver side seat belt is begining to shread, I think from wearing against velcro closures on my coat. Anyway... where can I get a replacement belt and is there any trick to replacing it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 92 Legacy has a built-in function that part of the seat belt pulled apart and revealed a tag that says the seat belt needs to be replaced. The problem is I have the motorized shoulder belt and a manually operated lap belt. The lap belt is the one that says has failed. Subaru wanted $150 or so for a new one. I will call them and see if it is covered under a life-time warranty, but I doubt it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 92 Legacy has a built-in function that part of the seat belt pulled apart and revealed a tag that says the seat belt needs to be replaced. The problem is I have the motorized shoulder belt and a manually operated lap belt. The lap belt is the one that says has failed. Subaru wanted $150 or so for a new one. I will call them and see if it is covered under a life-time warranty, but I doubt it.
It's not. Only the cars made after 1995 are guaranteed the lifetime warranty. Trust me, I asked. Then they tried to slap me with a $400 repair bill for the belt and I said hell no.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not. Only the cars made after 1995 are guaranteed the lifetime warranty. Trust me, I asked. Then they tried to slap me with a $400 repair bill for the belt and I said hell no.

 

 

Not true, but thanks for playing

 

 

Get it fixed, no matter the cost, it beats eating windsheild

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fraying seatbelt seems to be a common issue. I own two '98 OBW's and both of them have it (had it--I fixed it). I bought two replacement seatbelts from a subi specialist on the east coast for $40 plus s/h.

 

I don't think the fraying is from your clothes. There's a black metal retainer bracket behind the B pillar that I think is the cause for the wear. The black retainer rubs against the seat belt edges.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good diagnosis and should this be brought to attention NHTSA for recall/warranty consideration?

The fraying seatbelt seems to be a common issue. I own two '98 OBW's and both of them have it (had it--I fixed it). I bought two replacement seatbelts from a subi specialist on the east coast for $40 plus s/h.

 

I don't think the fraying is from your clothes. There's a black metal retainer bracket behind the B pillar that I think is the cause for the wear. The black retainer rubs against the seat belt edges.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good news. I went to the dealer. They looked at the condition of the belt and agreed that they would replace it no charge. You'ld be hard pressed to get that kind of safety committment from most other manufacturers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But it is true! The belt isn't covered under a lifetime warranty. At least, that's what the clowns at Cumberland Valley Motors told me.

 

I noticed you're from PA. If possible try the Lancaster County Motors on Route 72. That's where I went and they did honor the warranty although they made sure I understood it was a "LIMITED" lifetime warranty. Mine's a '98. It may be true that it is only for '95's and newer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I noticed you're from PA. If possible try the Lancaster County Motors on Route 72. That's where I went and they did honor the warranty although they made sure I understood it was a "LIMITED" lifetime warranty. Mine's a '98. It may be true that it is only for '95's and newer.
They told me that was only valid for 95 and newer vehicles. I understand that it's limited and if my car were newer, I'm sure that it would be covered (the tag is what's torn on it).
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a quote from the Subaru website (regarding new vehicles):

 

Seat Belt Lifetime Limited Warranty

SEAT BELT COVERAGE lasts for the useful life of the vehicle and includes seat belts and related components which fail to function properly during normal use. This warranty does not apply to cosmetic appearance, such as color fading, when the seat belts function properly. Coverage also excludes any electrical related components or body anchor points.

 

It seems feasible that "the useful life of the vehicle" might include only vehicles of a certain age or newer (like 1995, like Manarius said).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...