Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | 59,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 0% | 117,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% | 230,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% | 124,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% | 205,000 miles |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota 4-Runner. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the contact pulled into a parking lot and parked the vehicle. The contact attempted to exit the vehicle but was stuck in the front driver's seat. The contact stated that the seat belt would not release from the buckle and the retractor would not adjust out of place. The contact called the local police department who arrived at the scene and helped to loosen the seat belt retractor from the upper body and neck where the seat buckle finally loosened up and was released. The failure also recurred with the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
My daughter was seated on the passenger side rear of my vehicle. Her seatbelt was on correctly and we were slowing down to pull into the driveway. My daughter said her seatbelt was stuck and wouldn't loosen. She unbuckled the seatbelt and tried to loosen it and remove it from around her waist. She was stuck in the seatbelt, it would not loosen even the slightest bit. I called 911 and they sent the fire department out. They could not get it to loosen in any way and they had to cut my seatbelt to remove my child. My vehicle is a 2022 and I don't understand how this is a normal safety feature. My child was stuck in her seatbelt with no other way out than to cut the seat belt.
Involved in accident,air bags did not deploy,seat belts did not hold resulting in hitting stearing wheel and fracturing my stearnum. Collision repair center replaced computer that controls air bag and seat belts.
The passenger seatbelt in the Toyota 4runner tears. The 3rd seatbelt in the 4runner I own is tearing and will have to be replaced for the 4th time. Each time the dealership charges for a new seatbelt and installation. The passenger seatbelt is not used daily. This is a severe safety concern! Yesterday I met a person that has a 2006 rav and that vehicle has a torn passenger seat belt. I question if in a crash if anyone in my 2004 4runner would be safe! What can be done to make Toyota conform to make their seatbelts safe?
Frame has significant rust and has developed a hole up near the front of the car. I've had the rust sandblasted off and the frame re-coated, but should the frame fail, it could result in a real safety problem. Driver seat belt does not retract properly, which could result in the seatbelt not being snug enough to prevent injury in the event of an accident
Rear left safety belt does not retract. The vehicle has not been altered or damaged in any way prior to safety belt not retracting. Can not use rear left safety belt. Safety belt is fully extended and will not retract.
Was driving at approximately 65 MPH when another vehicle cut consumer's off and stopped/ driver dodged vehicle/ went over a divider/ vehicle was airborne, and flipped two and half times, landing on roof on other side of freeway. Seatbelt was worn,but shoulder belt did not lock up, causing consumer's head to go through windshield. Consumer was airlifted to hospital, and had major head and face trauma. Consumer contacted Toyota, and will send someone out to determine cause.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Toyota 4runner. The contact stated that there is an 18 inch strip of fabric unraveling on the driver's side seat belt. The more he uses it, the faster it comes apart. The fabric is holding on by a thread. The local dealer stated that because the vehicle has so many miles, they would not repair the failure. The current mileage was 269,978 and failure mileage was 230,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota 4Runner years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (9), 2004 (7), 1999 (6) and 1997 (5) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Toyota 4Runner seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for any Toyota 4Runner model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota 4Runner seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (9 mentions), followed by the front › anchorage (6).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.