Automatic Seatbelts - Help

[FlyVFR]

They are idiots. You have a LIFETIME WARRANTY (well, life of the car, not you, heh) on the seatbelts. Read below for the whole recall, or read this:

In addition to performing this recall campaign, Mazda is extending the warranty coverage on the driver and passenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle. Mazda is also extending the warranty coverage on the front door latch switch, which may affect the operation of the automatic shoulder belt, to 12 years from the manufacturers warrenty start date.

Recall Information can also be viewed HERE.

October 1st, 1998
Re:

1992-1993 MX-3 And 1990-1993 323 Automatic Shoulder Belts

Recall Campaign #72803
Dear Mazda Owner:


This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Mazda Motor Coporation has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1990-1993 323 and 1992-1993 MX-3 models.

Mazda has determined that, under certain conditions, the cable that retracts the automatic shoulder belt buckle may bind due to excessive wear of the automatic shoulder belt rail. If binding of the cable occurs, the passive restraint system is rendered inoperative.

Arrangements have been made for you to have your automatic shoulder belt inspected and replaced if necessary. Please schedule an appointment with your Mazda dealer to have this recall performed free of charge. The work may take as long as 3 hours to complete. however, it may take longer depending upon the service department's work schedule.

In addition to performing this recall campaign, Mazda is extending the warranty coverage on the driver and passenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle. Mazda is also extending the warranty coverage on the front door latch switch, which may affect the operation of the automatic shoulder belt, to 12 years from the manufacturers warrenty start date.

If you have already paid for the repair or replacment of your shoulder belt or front door latch switch, due to improper operation of the automatic seat retractor, Mazda will reimburse you for reasonable expenses based on Mazda's repair standards. Please complete the enclosed "Reimbursement Application Form", (Front, Back) mail it in the pre-addressed envelope and allow 6-8 weeks for processing.

If you are the lessor of the vehicle and have received this letter, please provide a copy to the lessee.

Should you have any questions regarding this recall campaign, please contact our Customer Assistance toll-free number, (800) 222-5500.

If your dealer or distributor does not remedy this defect without charge and/or within a reasonable amount of time, you may wish to notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC 20590, or call their toll-free Auto Safety Hotline. (888) 327-4236. (Residents of Washington, DC may call 366-0123)

Our goal at Mazda is to build and maintain only the highest quality products.

Please accept our apology for any inconvenience this recall campaign may cause to you.

Subject VIN Range As Follows:

Year: Model: VIN Number Range:
1992-1993 MX-3 JM1EC43%*N0100039 to
JM1EC43%*P0238507
1990-1993 323 JM1BG232*L0100122 to
JM1BG232*P0651901
JM1BG234*P0550052 to
M1BG234*P0651919
% an be 1 OR 2
* an be any letter or number

I beieve this is correct for all US vehicles.

[JustinV6]

I went to the dealership to try to get mine fixed as well, and asked about the recall, they damn near laughed in my face when I said the car was a 92, I should print that out and bring it with me.

[FlyVFR]

I believe they have to fix the safety belts as it is a sefety issue

[Mooneggs]

I went to the dealership to try to get mine fixed as well, and asked about the recall, they damn near laughed in my face when I said the car was a 92, I should print that out and bring it with me.

I'm sure they wouldn't be laughing if you got in a wreck then sued mazda since they wouldn't fix it

[Tekno]

this is probably going to sound stupid but i wanted to know what you all would think. see, i had this problem as well, and both of my seatbelts were hanging down like noose's on both sides so i had to cut the cables because well ...

1. I didn't know about the TSB
2. I didn't know about being able to reel em back in.

So do you think they would fix em? I just pushed the seatbelt holder all the way back and put the belt over my head now.

[FlyVFR]

this is probably going to sound stupid but i wanted to know what you all would think. see, i had this problem as well, and both of my seatbelts were hanging down like noose's on both sides so i had to cut the cables because well ...

1. I didn't know about the TSB
2. I didn't know about being able to reel em back in.

So do you think they would fix em? I just pushed the seatbelt holder all the way back and put the belt over my head now.

If you live in the US I believe MAZDA will fix them for you. You may have do to a little convincing about the cut cables.
( Emergency situation etc...) I'm sure MAZDA wants all their products to remain safe on the road.

[4gotn]

GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY OF CONTENT COMRADES!

I just phoned my local Mazda dealership about the for mentioned problem and found out that there was a full recall listed and the dealer gave me absolutely no trouble. Actually, they agreed to replace both sides for free at once ^_^, now that's what i call good sportsmanship! All that was required was that i mentioned the recall of x year mx-3's and 323's, gave my Vin, and well...that was it. When you need to have this done i suggest listing the recall number at the "point of sale".

btw: in case anyone needs to do the same locally, the dealership was Sandy Sansing Mazda in Pensacola Florida.

[PATDIESEL]

This has been an issue for a very long time. Mazda dealerships have been giving MX-3 owners issues replacing the belts for just about as long as the problems with them have been around. They are supposed to replace the belts if you ask them and I even had to call Mazda USA once while at the local stealership to prove that it was under warranty. However, after messing with new belts for the third time I decided to just get a set of the manual belts and converted my interior to work seamlessly.
I have a write-up on the MOCA forum about it. I have pics too somewhere, just have yet to host them. Pst me if you need more info.
http://www.atlantamx3.com/mocaforum/vie ... php?t=2301

[fowljesse]

I just looked into this thread because I saw it was started by Dan meyers, and PATDIESEL was the last to respond (OldSkool).
Anyway, after the stealership raped me, and screwed me around for several days, they told me that my car seatbelts had already been fixed, and they only do it once per car. Well, my driver's side motor doesn't work. I have a new one, but haven't cared enough to fix it.

[4gotn]

mine snapified the cable

[anjin1982]

Wow i love this forum...well as most others i also got the "it was already done" and just manually rolled it back and clicked it myself.But hopefully after just emailing Mazda and my local dealership it's gonna be auto again.....Thanx again mx-3 dot com...

[Nd4SpdSe]

Here, found some info for ya:

http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/72803.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(see page 4)

I think that should be saved and posted in the seatbelt recall page.

[Newfie_dan]

I hate automatic seatbelts myself and would much rather do the manual belt swap.

[Ryan]

I have a manual belt parts car. Anyone want a conversion kit? I'm sure we could work something out.

[Newfie_dan]

my last escort gt had the automatic belts and that was the first thing to go on it lol.