Range Rover seat belt folded in retractor: try this to fix it!

As a Range Rover owner, I’m sure you’re all too familiar with the quirks and glitches that come with owning such a notorious truck.

Even though the company has made strides in improving the reliability of this legendary SUV, it still quite falls short in delivering a 100% perfect vehicle.

As someone who has owned multiple Range Rovers over the years, I can attest to these issues firsthand.

One of these infamous quirks is the seat belt folded-in retractor issue.

What models are affected?

• Land Rover Defender
• Range Rover Discovery
• Range Rover Evoque
• Range Rover Sport
• Range Rover Velar
• Range Rover Vogue

Signs and symptoms

The seat belt folded-in retractor issue can be quite frustrating to deal with.

It happens when the seat belt webbing folds up into the retractor and locks, preventing the belt from retracting or extending freely.

It can also prevent the seat belt from being buckled if the webbing is too short to reach the buckle.

List of possible OBD codes

This issue won’t trigger any OBD codes since it’s not related to the engine or the transmission.

However, the car’s warning system might show a sign indicating that there’s a problem with the seat belt.

Common causes

Several factors could cause the seat belt folded-in retractor issue in Range Rovers, but these are the most common ones:

• Seat Belt Twists: If the seat belt webbing twists as it retracts into the retractor, it can fold upon itself and get stuck.
• Debris or Dirt: Small bits of debris or dirt can get into the retractor and prevent the seat belt from retracting correctly, causing it to fold upon itself.
• Incorrect Use: Sometimes, when you grab the belt and then release the seat belt too quickly, it can cause the webbing to twist and fold on itself when it retracts.
• Mechanical Issues: This is the least likely scenario, but sometimes there could be an issue with the seat belt’s retractor mechanism that causes it to malfunction.

Can it be fixed without a mechanic?

If you’re mechanically inclined and own the necessary tools, you can fix this issue by yourself without taking the car to a mechanic.

However, it might be a little tricky and time-consuming. If you’re not up for it, you can always take your Range Rover to a professional for repair.

Parts you’ll need to fix it

Fortunately, you won’t need any parts to fix the seat belt folded-in retractor issue in Range Rovers. You only need a few tools that you might already have lying around in your garage.

Tools you’ll need to fix it

Here are the tools you’ll need to fix the seat belt folded-in retractor issue:

• Flathead Screwdriver
• Torque Wrench
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Socket Wrench
• Liquid Wrench

How to fix it

Now that you have the tools ready, let’s go over the steps to fix the seat belt folded-in retractor issue in Range Rovers:

1. Open the door on the side with the faulty seat belt.
2. Locate the plastic cover at the bottom of the seat belt retractor.
3. Pry off the plastic cover with a flathead screwdriver.
4. Locate the small tab with a hole in the center that triggers the belt warning light.
5. Push the tab with the screwdriver while moving the seat belt webbing by pulling it.
6. Spray Liquid Wrench on the retractor mechanism to help it move more freely.
7. Move the seat belt webbing in and out of the retractor a few times to ensure that it’s retracting and extending correctly.
8. Replace the plastic cover and tighten it with the torque wrench.

Potential alternative causes

While these are the most common scenarios, sometimes, the folded seat belt issue might be caused by more severe issues.

It’s always best to have a technician inspect it to rule out any other potential underlying problems.

FAQs