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How do you fix a stuck seat belt retractor in a Toyota Camry?

I live in Pennsylvania and drive a Toyota. About a week ago, my front passenger seat belt stopped retracting. I’d like to repair it myself instead of taking it to a mechanic, but I don’t know how. What’s the best way to fix a stuck seat belt retractor in my Toyota Camry?

avatar
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Other than seat belts being a key safety feature in every car, the
Pennsylvania seat belt law
requires passengers in the front to wear them. So, it’s best to repair your seat belt as soon as possible.
Follow these steps tofix your stuck seat belt retractor:
  • Step 1: Firmly pull the seat belt to see if you can dislodge the stuck area from the mechanism. If this doesn’t work, move to the next step.
  • Step 2: Remove the plastic piece covering your retractor with a pry tool.
  • Step 3: Check whether the seat belt is jammed or tangled inside the mechanism. If it is, untangle it with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver.
  • Step 4: Replace the retractor cover.
  • Step 5: Try using the seat belt a few times to make sure it’s in working condition.
If these steps don’t work, then it’s time to bring your car to a mechanic. Seat belt mechanisms aren’t too complex, but small mistakes could prove fatal in severe accidents. So if the mechanism is damaged, then it’s best to let a professional handle it.
Even if the damage is severe, it should only cost around $150 to repair your
Toyota Camry
’s seat belt.
Plus, you can always offset the price of professional repairs by saving on car insurance with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app helps users compare quotes from over 50 top providers like Progressive and Nationwide for free. Users save an average of $879 a year on car insurance with Jerry—and it only takes a minute to sign up.
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