2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Seat Belts Problems

The driver seat belt locking mechanism has failed. I tried to replace it with OEM manufacturer parts but have been told by Hyundai that the part is not available, it is on back order but will be discontinued before backorder is fulfilled. My question is how can you discontinue manufacturering a part which is mandated by every licensing state? I have filed a complaint with Hyundai but they have ignored my attempts to resolve this. I need help to return my vehicle to safety standards.

2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR SEAT BELT PASSENGER SIDE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WOULD RESCIND OR SLIDE BACK INTO THE OPENING AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL THE SEAT BELT OUT. WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS PULLED OUT BY THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER, IT WOULD NOT STAY OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.

I OWN A 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV. THE SEAT BELT FOR THE PASSENGER REAR SEAT (40) DOES NOT STAY UP AND AVAILABLE TO NEW OCCUPANTS. IT ALWAYS FALLS DOWN THE SEAT BELT SLOT AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE FOR THE PASSENGER. PASSENGER INVARIABLY SEAT THEMSELVES INTO 60 PORTION OF THE SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER. THE ONLY WAY WHICH I HAVE FOUND TO RETRIEVE THE SEAT BELT AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE PASSENGER IN THE 40 SEAT IS TO LAY THE SEAT DOWN AT ABOUT A 30 DEGREES. REACH UNDER THE SEAT VARY CAREFULLY AND PUSH THE SEAT BELT UP FROM THE BOTTOM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND WITH THE BOLTS AND UNFINISHED METAL ON THE FLOOR POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IN ITSELF. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND ASKED ABOUT REPAIR OR RECALL AND THEY JUST KIND OF LAUGH WHEN I TELL THEM ITS A PAIN AND NEEDS FIXED. THEY JUST SAY "YOU AND ALOT OF OTHERS WOULD LIKE THAT". IT WOULD TAKE A SIMPLE FIX OF PUTTING IN A STIFF COLLAR LIKE THAT ON MOST VEHICLES OR A FLAT SLEEVE WHICH COULD KEEP THE BELT FROM RECEDING INTO THE ABYSS OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT MOST PASSENGERS IN THE 40 POSITION DO WITHOUT WEARING THE BELT, AND JUST HOLD IT IN THE LAP. CAN YOU FIRMLY SUGGEST TO HYUNDAI TO PUT A PERMANENT FIX TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED FOR NOT WEARING A SEATLBELT WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THEM BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURES OVERSIGHT AND LACK OF CONCERN. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT OF MY 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT TIMES DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE THE RECEPTOR SLIDES DOWN DEEP INTO THE POCKET AND IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO RETRIEVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROHIBITED THEM. WE WERE COMING HOME TWO WEEKS AGO AND MY FRIEND COULD NOT BUCKLE UP AND WE WERE TRAVELING 60MPH AND I WAS NERVOUS. THE MANAGER PLACED A STYROFOAM PIECE IN THE SLIT AND SAID HE HOPED IT WORKED. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS? *TR