Honda Car Forum

From: Harm Kootstra (hkootstra@hotmail.com)
I own a 1988 honda prelude 2.0 S, and the passenger side seatbelt, when
employed sticks hard when you want to remove the buckle. Anybody know
anything to fix this?



In the US, check the following site. Honda had a number of years/models
with the red release buttons cracking - free replacements since it is a
formal recall.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

Make : HONDA Model : PRELUDE Year : 1988
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 95V103001 Recall Date : MAY 16, 1995
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 3700000
Summary:
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC
RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO
THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence:
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A
VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy:
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT
SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS
OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH
LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS
SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP
OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS
ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE
PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN
APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE
MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE
BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.