Rear Seat Buckling Problems in the 2010 Prius?

VERY astute perception.

I have had this same situation in our car, often when we take friends, the gals ride in the front and us guys ride in the rear. One of our friends who rides in the back with me is heavy set (probably 265-275lbs.) and he is never able to fasten his belt, I have to fasten it for him, and often I struggle, wondering if it can be done.

It's NOT because of his girth, but rather, because the belt itself is too short and when attempting to plug the blade into the socket, the entire socket assembly pushes into the seat, there's simply NOT enough of the socket assembly to grasp and hold on to while plugging the blade into it.

I hear you, it's a bear! I'm glad you brought this up, can't believe I or no one else has mentioned this before.

THANKS!

David (aka Blind Guy)

 

I have the same problem with the booster seats. A lot of frustration in a child makes for a lot of stress in mommy! Did the rolled up socks solve it? If not, any other ideas?

 

Same problem here,my wife complains every time when she buckles the kid in his buster seat.

 

Same trouble here. Although I find the driver's side worse than the passenger side. That's the side with the two buckles, what a PITA it is to get one buckles when the booster seat was there. I had to move the booster to the other side so my son can get it buckled himself.

Michael

 

I am glad someone made a post for this problem. My wife has been complaining about this when we first got the car. Fortunately my daughter have managed to get a hang of it, although occasionally she had a tough time when we were in a rush. When the center armrest/cupholder console is down, it is especially much harder. I am trying to find something to prop that part of the seatbelt receptor without damaging the leather seating. That socks idea is crude, but I might just try that ...lol

 

My four year old had a problem at first. But she got it after a week or so and now only needs help if the center console is down. They sure are down far and soft, however.

 

+1 on the problem.
Not only can my kids no longer buckle themselves in their bosters (like the last car), but I find it very hard to buckle them in myself when I lean back there. One booster is hard enough, but I dread putting in two bosters and an 8-year in the back. At first I though it was the angle that I was trying to insert the buckle, but the buckle just sinks into the seat no matter what angle I try.

 

my 7 year-old daughter who usually gets aggravated with these types of things, has had little problem with ours. I guess I got lucky.

 

I just got my Prius on MOnday, and my 5 year-old cannot buckle himself in. He sits on the driver's side. When I finally give up on trying to coach him into how to do it, I too, have trouble trying to do it myself. I will try the sock thing, but really feel the solution should come from Toyota- This is a brand new car! I will write a letter, and suggest you all do the same. Maybe WE can get something done.

 

For all of you who have encountered this problem, please contact Toyota directly and make them aware of this issue.

This and other problems that have been showing up with the G3s need to be brought to Toyota's attention.

Best wishes,

 

For those who seem to be having the problem buckling with child seats, may I ask if you have leather or cloth seats??

I noticed the same difficulty also and thought it was because we had the seats changed to leather. (Never had the child seats in when it was still cloth)

Anyway, I have a Highlander Hybrid as well and had the seats switched to leather. We have no problems with these buckles as the shaft is much longer and does NOT sink into the seat crevice.

I might have to try the sock idea or fashion another quick fix.

 

Check out the owner's manual under Adjustable components, page 88 and they list a seat belt extender available for free!
Hope this helps....

 

Also try Ebay / Goggling, "seat belt extender."

 

I've noticed it too. I have the cloth seats and my daughter could buckle herself in on our last car just fine. Now she has a hard time. I think I will look up the free seatbelt extender and try the socks in the meantime.

I will only place her in the middle now as my last car was totaled by a crazy speeding driver who T-boned me in an intersection. So if you see me sitting at the green light until the other cars stop completely, just wave and wait - honking won't help.

 

Shouldn't this be an issue for the NHTSA? I have not yet tried it, but will be transporting my granddaughter soon.

 

Yup. I asked my dealership for this extender for the exact same reason all the posters here mentioned - it's a real pain to get my daughter buckled into her booster. Believe it or not, it's an EVEN BIGGER pain to try to get the extender, for the following reasons:

1) Dealership will only offer the extender to you for obese people. Not for children, but only for obese people who can't fit into the regular seat belt.

2) Both the driver and the obese person needs to be there at the dealership, in person.

3) Someone from Service will need to measure the "fit" and fill out a long legal form, signed by the owner, to order the extender from Toyota. They don't stock them at all.

4) You can't buy it even if you're willing to pay for it. Toyota's legal team (probably same geniuses who insisted on the Nav lockout) requires the dealerships to enforce these asinine rules.

Maybe my dealership was pulling my leg, but there was no way to argue with them.

Jay

 

My wife was taking care of the grandkids, one 2 and 9 for 7 weeks never complained about the seat belts
SO everyone complaining must be doing something wrong LOL