SEAT BELT TIGHTENS TO THE POINT OF CHOKING HANDICAPPED SENIOR CITIZEN. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND AFTER CLIMBING IN THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW I WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE BELT SO IT WOULD QUIT TIGHTENING SUBSEQUENTLY ABLE TO RELEASE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. ONCE WITH JUST A SENIOR THAT WAS ABLE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. *NM
2005 subaru Legacy seatbelts problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $500
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2005 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE REAR SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN BUCKLING THE BELTS, THE CENTER BELT WOULD UN-BUCKLE. *TS THE SEAT BELTS WERE TOO CLOSE. THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE LEFT HAND SEAT BELT WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT HAND SEAT BELT TO UNLOCK. THE CONSUMER FOUND AT THE DEALER THAT THESE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND W…
Common questions
How serious is the seatbelts problem on the 2005 subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $500 for seatbelts repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to seatbelts?
No active recalls currently cover seatbelts issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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