1998 Civic seatbelts not working! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

War_Wagon · 07-09-2011, 01:05 AM

I sold my 1998 Civic to a nice girl, she is coming to pick it up on Sunday. I never usually have anyone in the back seat of the car, but one time I did and they said the seatbelt on their side didn't work. At the time I just figured they were too drunk to work it. But today I went back there to double check, and neither of the rear belts work! The buckle goes into the anchor, but there is no click, and it just comes back out again. The center belt works, but if you put the center buckle into either of the other sides, it just comes out again. I don't think these belts had any use even before I got the car, so I am wondering if they are just seized from not being used or something? Anyone else ever had this happen, and any idea how I can fix it?

Gasoline Fumes · 07-18-2011, 12:26 PM

I think Honda offers a lifetime warranty on seatbelts.

War_Wagon · 07-18-2011, 12:55 PM

Oh crap, really? I had sprayed them with WD40, worked the mechanism with a small screwdriver trying to see if they were stuck, and ended up making a rush trip to a wreckers an hour away to grab two miscolored replacements. She picked up the car and didn't care about the brown anchors in the black/grey seats, so I will call it finished. I still find it weird that they both were broken.

Gasoline Fumes · 07-18-2011, 01:17 PM

In my '91 Civic's warranty book, it says they are warranted for the useful life of the vehicle. My belts still work, but I can't help wondering if Honda would say this rust bucket is past its useful life.

Ryland · 07-18-2011, 01:22 PM

I took my parents Honda N600 in because it's missing a seat belt all together, the seat belts for that car are discontinued but they said that if I did find a replacement that they would install it free of charge and that if the parts were still listed that it would be a free replacement.

PaleMelanesian · 07-18-2011, 02:33 PM

The side belts have slightly different buckles than the center belt. You can't put one into the other and have it latch.

Still, to have both side belts fail? Bizarre.

War_Wagon · 07-19-2011, 12:58 AM

I agree, it was odd. Oh well, it has a new home now, and more importantly it freed up some dough to spend on the Insight.