So, now my drivers side seatbelt is stuck in the open position and it seems the orig. owner of the car had the recall performed back in 1997. Is there any way I can get this fixed without paying the $650 for the new track/motor assembly???

 

IT's supposed to be covered for life, reted has a number you can call on his site, fc3spro.com, if they wont fix it. To complain to mazda of north america.

 

+1

All car manufactures warranty their seat belt mechanisms for the life of the car.

 

Cool iam gonna get this **** done then!!!

 

So outside the recall, they always have to fix the autobelts? I was under the impression that once the recall was done, any other problems they arent required to fix.

 

they must not have fixed it if its broken again

 

Recall 96V173000: Automatic Shoulder Belt Inoperative
Notes

The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will become jammed in the rail rendering the shoulder belt inoperative. In the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant would not be adequately restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

Dealers will replace inoperative shoulder belts. Mazda has extended the warranty coverage on the driver and passenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle.

Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during October 1996.

Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

 

Damn, that dealer thought they'd pulled a fast one...

 

No, the dealer has proof of the recall already being performed. They have done what Mazda required them to do.

 

Unless there is something beyond the recall in which the belts can be continually replaced until the car is no longer operating.

 

It ain't Mazda, it's the NTSB and they require the seat belts be operational.
Forever.
If Mazda has to replace them 10 times, it doesn't matter.

You're covered and if the dealer wants to argue about it just escalate to the Regional Manager (preferably, you whip out a cellphone on the spot).

 

Hmm, Im gonna call Mazda NA tomorrow and get their word on it before going back to the dealer again.

 

Try reading your thread

 

+1 for this. Mine got jammed in the farthest position, right over my shoulder and I took it to the Mazda Dealer and they said they already fixed it way back in '99 with the second owner. Jeez. I get to make a few phone calls tomarrow.

 

Mazda MUST replace it.

 

Anyone seen fight club on the recall bit.


Seriously just call the NTSB number first, get the info and then go to the dealer. They won't like it but they HAVE to do it. Tell them they may not like having to it again, but they would like the feds getting involed less.

 

Call Mazda North America on the spot, the dealer will suddenly become real nice to you in about 5 minutes.

I would recommend taking off the a-pillar trim yourself, though. If they break it (and they probably will) they won't fix it.

 

One dealer I went to I had to three way call the dealer with the Mazda rep on the phone telling him to do the work.... They hate doing it for some reason, but they HAVE to no matter how many times it breaks FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I have had it done on both sides and at 2 different dealerships. Take your trim off of the a-pillers before you take it in though because if they break that stuff they won't replace it. Good luck.

 

Well i guess i got lucky because they broke my a-pillars and replaced em, It was All FREE

 

Wow! When I had mine replaced they gave me a nice little cardboard box with both of my a-pillars in it.

 

From: http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n...lt_recall.html

All 89-91 US spec cars (except the convertible) came with the automatic retractable seatbelt system. By now, most of these systems have failed in one way or another, resulting in non functional belts, a seatbelt light that stays on in the cluster, or even greasy cables hanging loose out of the trim.

Every so often someone comes to me asking for parts to repair their system. I must advise against trying to repair this yourself. The system is covered under an NHTSA safety recall for the life of the vehicle, so long as it’s on the road, regardless of how many times it’s been performed already. All you have to do is take it to your local dealer and they must perform the recall free of charge. Generally they replace all the hardware at once. It is not uncommon to have to order these parts from japan, so expect a week or 2 before the appointment is made.

IF you get any static (most likely because of a past recall already having been performed) then give them the chance to confer with their superiors. IF the final answer is no, then there is a number to MANA (mazda north America) below. Call this and explain the situation. Within a day you WILL have a call from someone at mazda seeking to resolve your situation. IN my case, the last time I had to call in, the dealer was calling me back within 5 minutes to apologize and schedule an appointment for the work. IF somehow they still refuse, there is a number for the government agency overseeing this type of thing.



Dear Mazda Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of Nation Traffic and Motor Vehicles Safety Act and to follow-up our previous letter of Recall Campaign #6611 mailed to you in November 1996.

Mazda Motor Corporation has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain1989 - 1991 RX-7 models.

Mazda has determined that, under certain conditions, the cable that retracts the automated shoulderbelt buckle may become jammed along the sides of the roof and possibly locked in an improperposition in the rails.

Mazda has recently completed production of the modified parts and tools to inspect and/or replaceyour automatic shoulder belt, if necessary. Please schedule and appointment with your Mazda dealerto have the recall inspection and/or repair performed on your vehicle. The dealer will perform thenecessary inspection and/or repair at no charge. The work takes approximately have a day tocomplete. However, it may take longer depending on the service department's work schedule.

In addition to performing this recall, Mazda is extending the warranty coverage in the driver andpassenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle.

If you have already paid for the repair of replacement of your automatic shoulder belts, due to a defectin materials or workmanship, Mazda will reimburse you for reasonable expenses based on Mazda'srepair standards. Pleas complete the enclosed "Reimbursement Application" form, mail it in the preaddressed envelope and allow 6-8 weeks for processing.

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

Should you have any questions regarding this program, please contact our Customer Relations tollfree number, (800) 222-5500.

If your dealer or distributor does not remedy the defect without charge or with in a reasonable amount of time, you may wish to notify the Administrator for the nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration Washington, DC 20590, or you can call their toll-free Auto-Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393 (Residents of Washington, DC, may call 386-0123).

If you no longer own your 1989 - 1991 RX-7, please complete and mail the enclosed "Change of Address/Ownership" pre-paid postcard, as soon as possible. This enables us to update our records and notify the current owner, if necessary.

Our goal at Mazda is to build and maintain only the highest quality products. please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this program may cause you.

Sincerely,

MAZDA MOTOR OF AMERICA, INC.

1989 - 1991 RX-7
Automatic Shoulder Belt
(Recall Campaign #68702)

 

Thank you guys for going over this. mine went out on my drivers side a month ago. i have been driving it like this for some time now. i called mazda and they told me they wouldn't do it, but since i have all this great info i'm gonna make them do it. Thanks alot guys, i will let you know what happens.

izzy

 

Which dealer Josh?....my driver's side is dragging big time and once it finally takes a crap, I'll take it in and have it done.