Seat Belt Problems of Toyota Highlander - part 2

The seat belt coiled around my 8 year old son's neck and the seat belt lock would not disengage. We tried gently rocking the seat belts but it there was no give in it. Moving it harder would have choked my son. We had to cut the seat belt to release my son. This happened after a 10 min ride coming back from the school. He was seated in the rear right side seat. He wanted to get out of the car when we reached home. Since he is eight years now, he engages and disengages the seat belt himself. Please look at the picture.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The driver's seatbelt is not ergonomically placed, and reaching up, back and pulling forward with my left arm to attach the seatbelt has damaged my left shoulder (severe tendinitis and a partially torn rotator cuff). To date physical therapy has not resolved the issue and I must return to the orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Highlander. While the vehicle was stationary or while driving various speeds, the driver's seat belt retractor assembly failed on more than one occasion. The contact stated that the seat belt tightened with each attempt to move and prevented the driver from moving. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to koons tysons Toyota (8610 leesburg pike, vienna, virginia 22182), but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Touch screens audio system is not working for the pass two years.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the male seat belt connector failed to connect into the female connector. The seat belt indicator was illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the female seat belt connector failed and needed to be replaced. The seat belt connector was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

See all problems of the 2012 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the pretensioner on the seat belt was excessively tight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.

See all problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

2014 Toyota Highlander the driver side seat belt threading deteriorated at the stitching where it attaches to the floor of the car. It was fixed both times at ira Toyota in danvers, MA. , once on June 21, 2016 and again on July 26, 2016. The first time the seat belt broke, I was stopped at a stop light. I pushed off my seat with my arms to adjust how I was sitting, to be more comfortable, and the belt broke. See image attached. The second time the belt broke was almost in the same matter, except I was parked in a parking lot.

See all problems of the 2014 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

To avoid two deer crossing road (bull bridge road, south kent, CT) on curve, lost control on right shoulder, hit straight on the utility wood pole. My speed was in between 25 and 30 mph. During the accident, all airbags did not go off and the seat belt did not lock me up. The impact caused my chest, back, neck and head injuries.

Seat belt on drivers side is fraying on the edges. Spoke to other Toyota Highlander owners and they are experiencing the same problem. Contacted the dealership where we purchased the vehicle and they said we would have to pay for a new seatbelt and installation cost. I contacted a few other manufacturers and was told that due to this being a safety issue they would replace at no cost to the consumer. The seatbelt is not meant to wear out and they said that it was a manufacturer defect that should be addressed. The second issue has to do with the brake lights. Replaced bulbs, fuses and checked wiring no problems yet the brake light do not work. Toyota's is aware of the issue and states that the consumer can pay $400 to have it checked and it still does not work.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Wow! it just keeps getting better!! %&*@* Highlander has more safety problems. . . . 24,988 miles; Sunday, oct 26, 2014 our youngest son¿s seatbelt (2nd row passenger behind driver seat) would not release; causing him to panic and nearly choke himself to get out. I had to yank, pull and tug to get the belt to release. This is not the first time this has happened including not being able to get it to click and stay buckled. So, besides a vehicle we can't drive far to not risk getting stranded because of reported engine malfunction issues (Toyota motor sales, u. S. A. , inc. Expressed clearly: ¿OH well, too bad, your screwed, good luck!¿), the lie of a cover up extended warranty never received and now we can't use the 2nd row passenger seat behind driver due to seat belt not working properly. What's next?? I can only imagine with all the recent Toyota recalls.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I was cutoff by another driver in heavy traffic and hit my brakes to avoid hitting the driver in front me. I heard the seatbelt and my sons car seat come loose. I turned around and saw my 2 year old sons car seat had been ejected and his face had slammed into the passenger seat in front him. I was pushing the car seat back, so he could breath, with one arm and pulled over to the shoulder as quickly as possible. The traffic around was too fast for me to get off the vehicle to reinstall the car seat so I adjusted it as best I could without taking him out of the seat and proceeded to take him to school. I called the dealer I normally go to (joe meyers) and took the vehicle on my lunch break so they could change the seat belt. I was then informed that both the shop foreman and service manager refused to change the seatbelt because it was working properly there and said I had installed the car seat incorrectly! they refuse to take responsibility and I refuse to put my kids back in that car, what can I do?.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to retract and would also intermittently seize. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Seat belt on front drivers seat continues to fold over, and will not retract.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Accident occurred in southbound lane of I-95 at the dillon, SC exit on 6/14/14. Northbound trailer lost a tire/rim due to mechanical failure and it crossed the medium and impacted our vehicle blowing three (3) airbags. This model and year did not initially have takata airbags installed during production. It is unknown, to date, whether the replacement air bags installed by griffin Toyota at rockingham, nc where manufactured by takata and pose a danger to occupants if activated. The takata airbag problem did not get public attention until the October & November, 2014, timeframe. I contacted griffin Toyota stating my concern in January, 2015 and was told that there was a possibility the replacement were manufactured by takata and could be defective. I have subsequently contacted Toyota customer service and reported same (given case number 1503161212) and them referred me to the local Toyota dealership (charles barker Toyota in virginia beach, va). This dealership continues to "struggle" to get the information from the Toyota headquarters in CA to determine whether the airbags should be replaced (that is, if takata replacements were installed after the wreck) to ensure the occupants safety. Please investigate to determine what potentially defective airbags (manufactured by takata) were installed in the June-July 2014 timeframe.

See all problems of the 2010 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The floor anchor of the driver side and passenger side is located behind the seat and can be stepped on by the rear passengers. Stepping on the floor anchor and belt by the rear passengers, often children, is a constant source of distraction for the driver.

Drivers side seat belt nylon webbing (actual belt portion) has started to severely unravel in several different places. I feel this is a factory defect in materials; however, local dealership where vehicle was purchased informs me that it will cost me $270 to replace this belt. Cost so high because the whole mechanism must be replaced. . . Not just webbing. I am a senior citizen on a fixed income & cannot afford to replace the belt @ this cost. I feel manufacturer should replace @ no charge since a defective seat belt on drivers side is very dangerous. I have been a long time Toyota customer & this is my 1st compliant ever.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt assembly malfunctioned and the fabric material strap became frayed and shredded at the buckle location. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (atlantic Toyota in lynn, massachusetts) and manufacturer were notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.

The seat belt warning light came on. As you know and announced by Toyota there is a recall for this cable. However Toyota is, I feel dragging there feet doing absolutely nothing. Can you contact Toyota and find out what is being done. All I get is the standard answer----working on it. No fix yet.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated the front driver and passenger side seat belts would not retract or unlatch intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Front passenger seat belt stock. Do not release. It cannot be use. Toyota care center said is out of guaranty and I have to pay just to verify it. What about safety?.

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph from a complete stop, the brake pedal traveled to the floor upon engaging. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into another vehicle. The driver's side air bag partially deployed. The contact suffered bruises and minor pain to the chest as a result of the driver's side seat belt faulty webbing. In addition, the seat belt retractor would not function during the crash. The front hood and bumper were damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,804.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the passenger and driver's side seat belt thread was deteriorating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the seat belts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for half of the repair costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 170,848.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt would not retract and became jammed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the retraction mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,520. The current mileage was approximately 68,674. The VIN was unavailable. Kmj.

See all problems of the 2009 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

My 7 year old got trapped in the seatbelt and he had to be cut out. He was sitting in his high back booster with the seatbelt pulled over and buckled. Before unbuckling, he put his head through and under the shoulder belt portion. After disengaging the buckle, the belt started to retract, and got caught on the armrest of the booster seat and started tightening around my child. Everytime he wiggled or moved to get out, it tightened further to the point where he was having trouble breathing. There was no way to manually loosen the belt as it constricted around him further and further like a boa constrictor. I had to scream for help at the car wash I was at and the workers brought scissors to cut the belt and get him out.

The contact owns 2008 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while parked the rear passenger door side seat belt would not release and as a result it had to be cut. The contact also stated he heard a knocking noise emitting from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the seat belt and the lower steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,600 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 12/12/12.

Seat belt are frayed and coming apart. I have contacted my local Toyota dealer as well as Toyota costumer service and was told the car is out of warranty and it is no longer their responsibility. They said they'd be happy to change the seat belts, and then handed me a hefty quote. Thanks Toyota, glad you care.

Seat belt clip broke; it had been used minimally over time and was not abused when it failed to buckle.

The driver's seat belt is fraying because it rubs against the slot in the latch. Many, many people have complained about this on the internet. I've never had this happen in any other vehicle I've owned over the 50 years I've driven. I have a 1992 camry with almost 200,000 miles on it, and there is no wear at all on the seat belt. We need a recall!.

See all problems of the 2001 Toyota Highlander 🔎.

I was in a car accident in August 2010 in my Toyota Highlander. The airbags did not deploy on impact even though I was going 45-50 mph. My seat belt did not restrain me from hitting my steering wheel was a hard impact to my chest. I sent pics to Toyota and spoke to them several times about my complaint of the failing airbags and seatbelt. They said that the car did what it was designed to do on impact and therefore I had no complaint. My car was totaled in the collision.

During a recent road trip visiting family, my son was riding in the third row seat in our Toyota Highlander. Shortly before arriving at his grandparents, he told me that he had become twisted in his seatbelt. As we were within 10 minutes of our destination, I told him that I would handle the situation when we arrived. A few minutes later he said that the belt was getting tighter and I asked him if I needed to stop and he said that would be a good idea. Before I could get stopped (less that a block), he indicated that he was having trouble breathing. When I looked back, I was startled to find that the seat belt had become wrapped around his neck and had ratcheted back in, pinning his neck back against the side of the car. Even after stopping, I was unable to pulled the seat belt out to get it out from around my son's neck -- he was strangling in front of my eyes. Fortunately, I was in a city with residents close by, one of which heard me screaming and running door to door, who brought out a kitchen knife to cut the belt and release my son. I realize that these ratchet-type seat belts are designed as a safety feature in the third row seat of many makes and models, however, feel that this design also presents a strangulation concern. In cases such as mine, there was no way to get the seat belt released and if this had occur while on rural roads or the interstate, the availability of a knife would have been more difficult to come by. I feel that either an emergency release button should be designed for the ratchet seat belts or consumers need to be aware of the potential for strangulation and advised to carry scissors for this possibility. I have voiced my concerns to Toyota and they are replacing the seat belt free of charge, however, I feel that it is important that individuals be aware of this possibility and be prepared.

The front driver-side and passenger seatbelts no longer retract when unbuckled and frequently the car door is closed onto them while they hang into the door jam area. Causing dents to inside of the door frame as well.

Unusual fraying of drivers seat belt due to design problem with stitching of belt material. Began to unravel and run alongside approx 18" of belt length. This caused belt to bind and snag on buckle further exacerbating problem. This occurred during routine use and is a common problem on this model. Toyota does not warranty safety restraint devices for the life of the vehicle like other similar major manufacturers (Nissan, Honda, Mazda, etc) and dealership stated that their warranty was good for 5 yr/60,000 miles. Though the vehicle has less than 60,000 miles, it is >5 years and therefore not covered. Toyota corporate does not seem concerned about recent glaring safety concerns resulting in consumer deaths (sticking wot accelerators, failing brakes, etc) and is unwilling to cover any portion of the estimated $450 repair. I would like to document this defect which is extensively reported on the internet by other consumers in hopes that Toyota could be forced to correct this serious safety issue before more deaths occur.

I own a 2003 Toyota Highlander purchased November, 2002 with current mileage 49,570. I just noticed that the strap portion of the seat belt on the driver's seat is shredding to fine threads prematurely and quickly deteriorating due to unknown reason. Soon, nothing will be left of my seatbelt but fine threads (very unsafe). I have spoken to two service advisors at michael's Toyota of bellevue, wa and Toyota of kirkland, wa and requested for a warranty repair. I was aware that other car manufacturers have longer warranty coverage for safety restraint system. Unfortunately, I was told by the service advisors that Toyota does not have extended safety restraint coverage so it would cost me $205-230 for parts plus 1-2 hours of labor to get the seatbelt replaced because the vehicle's 36,000/3 yr warranty had expired.

We have a Toyota Highlander (2008) which is having safety issues. The passenger seat belt keeps going off. There is nothing in the seat but the bell keeps going off. It doesn't happen all the time but it does it often enough that it could be a safety issue. My second complaint is the window. The windshield keeps chipping when anything hits it. There are several times when I had to replace this window. There could be no other cars around but if something hits it will spider. My third issue is there is a noise that happens when we start the car. Its in the engine and we cant find it. I have taken the car into Toyota but of course they cant find anything. I have had nothing but expensive issues with this unsafe car. I want to know if there have been any recalls on these issues? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I believe there is a manufacturing flaw in the 2008 Toyota Highlander seat belts. When I initially purchased my Highlander (new), there was a child safety seat in the rear passenger-side seat, which used the latch system for installation (did not require use of seat belt). When I first went to install a booster seat in that position, which would require the seat belt to be used, the seat belt did not work (could not extend belt, would not retract, etc. ). The belt had never been used and does not work. I have filed several complaints with Toyota, but they said they would not cover the replacement of my seat belt, because I was outside of my warranty time (# of miles). First, the belt had never been used (because a child safety seat had always been in that position since I purchased the vehicle). Second, the # of miles driven has no direct correlation to how often a rear seat belt is used. It may have a direct correlation to how often the driver's belt is used, but none of the other positions. Now, the other side rear seat belt is starting to have problems. . . Oftentimes it does not retract properly/gets locked when it shouldn't, etc. The front belts also lock-up very easily and are hard to get unlocked once locked. I believe there to be a flaw in the manufacturing/components of these belts and feel Toyota should cover replacing them. This is a safety issue!!!.