Front Seat Belt Retractor Problems of Lexus GX470

While driving on a steep loose gravel road which turned, my vehicle started sliding out toward the edge next to a rather long drop off. I stopped my vehicle to see the progress and select a route. The seat belt would not let me use it. I had to drive the most dangerous part of the road without a seat belt. This is extremely dangerous! is there some way to get the belt to release? none was found in the manual. After a little digging and a couple of trys, we got out o. K. , but had no seat belt protection in the process. Lexus reports that this functioned properly; if so it is a dangerous defect because there is no release to allow use of the seat belt.

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I have a 2006 Lexus Gx470 with about 15,000 miles on it. I was going up a steep grade on a difficult road in 4wd. When I stopped and got out to look at the road, the seat belt locked in a retracted position and would not deploy again until vehicle was on more level ground. Thus, I had to drive the most dangerous part of the road without a seat belt to protect me in event of rollover. Lexus says this is normal: "normal condition when vehicle is not leveled. Lock will release when level. " my thoughts are: (1) I have great 4wd because I could barely walk up the road I finally got up, but (2) the seat belt lock should have a release for these circumstances because this is very dangerous.

Lexus has had no response to this inquiry in over one month, except "we got your mail": I'm concerned for others in this situation. While driving on a steep loose gravel road which turned, my vehicle started sliding out toward the edge next to a rather long drop off. I stopped my vehicle to see the progress and select a route. The seat belt would not let me re-connect it. I had to drive the most dangerous part of the road without a seat belt. This is extremely dangerous! is there some way to get the belt to release? none was found in the manual. After a little digging and a couple of tries, we got out o. K. , but had no seat belt protection in the process.