Seat Belt Recall Problems / Recall?

[ChillOut]

Passat Estate 130 TDI 2001/2005 54 plate.

I have had three front seat belts replaced under warranty (yes, one of them twice now) and two colleagues with similar Passats, also had 2 each, yet VW say there is no known problem. The dealer however even admitted I was not the first to have multiple replacements and said "off the record" VW don't know if they have cured it.

The fault is a lazy recoil of the belt - would fail an MOT and gets caught in the door; also stays slack when you lean forward so a SAFETY ISSUE.

Apart from this the cars A1, but I don't like being treated like an idiot and be told that seven faulty belts out of seven is not a known problem.:zx11:

Has anyone else had this problem?

[thecoolalhambra]

I recently bought my 2001 TDI and have noticed that when I press the release button for the seat belt it doesn't re-coil all the time, or does it very slowly.

Is this the problem your talking about? Not sure if it's a safety issue.

[snapdragon]

Mine was like this when I bought it, I washed it in a bucket of Persil liquid and hot water and hard rubbing with a dishcloth, followed by a rinse, and it is fine now. It looked clean enough, but I always clean new cars to me like this, and always notice how much faster the seat belt becomes afterwards. On my Omega, you would have to feed it in by hand, and after a good wash, it zipped up immediately.

[thecoolalhambra]

Thanks, i'll have to give that idea a go!!

[ChillOut]

I recently bought my 2001 TDI and have noticed that when I press the release button for the seat belt it doesn't re-coil all the time, or does it very slowly.

Is this the problem your talking about? Not sure if it's a safety issue.

Yes, that's it. It'a a safety "related" issue really because you can 1) damage the belt by the consequential trapping in the door when in a hurry 2) if you lean forward (to see at a junction for example), the belt will almost certainly not fall back as snuggly so if you have a crash, you will be less well restrained.

Interesting theory on washing the belts - ADVICE THOUGH - kep the belts reeled out for a few days when parked - once test drove a car that has had the belts cleaned and they were mouldy because they had not been dried.

[thecoolalhambra]

Thanks mate, i'll remember that - don't want any furry bits growing on my seat belts!!!

[ChillOut]

Passat Estate 130 TDI 2001/2005 54 plate.

I have had three front seat belts replaced under warranty (yes, one of them twice now) and two colleagues with similar Passats, also had 2 each, yet VW say there is no known problem. The dealer however even admitted I was not the first to have multiple replacements and said "off the record" VW don't know if they have cured it.

The fault is a lazy recoil of the belt - would fail an MOT and gets caught in the door; also stays slack when you lean forward so a SAFETY ISSUE.

Apart from this the cars A1, but I don't like being treated like an idiot and be told that seven faulty belts out of seven is not a known problem.:zx11:

Has anyone else had this problem?

I have now had all the belts on the car replaced twice each - all under warranty. The mechanic told me its a known design fault but VW won't design a new part for an out of production car and are happy just to pick up the warranty returns until the warranties have all expired by the end of this year. So these new ones may not last much into year 4 - God that sucks. Did I buy a Ford by mistake?

[Sam]

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=967

Had the same problem.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221691

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215760

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199203

As did these people.

It's common.

[ChillOut]

Thanks - I must try and remember this when they finally stop replacing them under warranty. I have had more belt changes than oil - no kidding!

As my belts are very clean though, I do wonder if it will help when the time comes and its out of warranty.

Its shameful VW let this continue, I have never had this on any other car. It is a safety issue - slack belt is obvious and if you start catching it in the door it could be weakened. Would probably then only give way in a serious crash, but that's when you need ALL the help you can get from your belt. I guess they have done the recall VS claim calculation and figure our lives are expendable.

I could not beleive in that other Forum people suggesting you buy used seat belts - eeek!