Drivers side seat belt

[Vitalizm]

Proud new owner of an 08 highlander sport as of this weekend Bought it used from private party.

I just happened to notice that the drivers side seat belt does not 'lock' when I do a sharp pull on it. All the other seat belts are fine. Any ideas on what it could be?

I know that the car was in a minor accident (front end) so Im thinking that there was only the driver inside and that caused the seatbelt to stop locking up afterward...

thanks!

[05Moose]

There's a little lead weight that hangs down and when gravity or g-forces pull it off of center a certain distance, that's when it locks. In the case of the other seat belts, yanking on it is probably just throwing the weight around enough (unless I'm wrong and there's now something also built into the units for when they come out too fast?). Anyway, the best way to test it is to hit the brakes hard (obviously when no one is behind you) and see if it locks like it's supposed to.

[AVConsult]

Yep, many newer seat belts are inertia activated--a weight swinging forward by braking force has to move and lock the retractor pawl.

Some no doubt still use a centrifugal weight that activates when the belt is rapidly yanked.

[Vitalizm]

Thank you for the suggestions, but unfortunately the hard braking did not work for me.

I guess this means some parts are needed to be replaced, where should I start without taking it to the dealer?

[AXMACD]

The seat-belt is something you should leave to the professionals. Usually when seat-belts lock in accidents they usually have to be completely replaced (experienced this with a Honda Accord)