Seat belts getting "fuzzy"

[dtevescar]

My 2011 Genesis sedan seat belts are turning "fuzzy" due to wear from the retractors...I used my electric shaver to trim the fuzz off of the belt, but it appears the belt fabric is breaking down, even in areas where the retracting rollers don't touch the fabric of the belt....i.e. pulled the seatbelt out as far as I could, and the whole belt has the fuzz sticking up...is the belt fabric weaker because of this? Could this affect the ultimate strength of the seatbelt? This is occurring on both of the front seats, the back seats are seldom used, and no fuzz on those belts. This is another example why I won't buy another Hyundai....the quality of parts used in the assembly of these vehicles is inferior to the Japanese vehicles. I bought this vehicle new, have owned it for 5 years, 65,000 miles of gentle driving, now these belts are breaking down, the engine makes horrible rattling noise during the first start in the morning, radio trouble, backup camera trouble, paint is peeling off most of the plastic exterior body parts, dealer says, "this is normal".....WELL!!! His idea of normal is ABNORMAL!!

 

[Mark_888]

In 8 years on this forum, I don't recall anyone else complaining about that. I suspect there is nothing wrong with the belt fabric, but instead something about the other parts that is chaffing on the belt edges, possibly because the belt is not threaded correctly through all the other parts.

I would ask your dealer about it, because some safety items like that are covered for longer warranties that the normal Hyundai warranty.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

My front seat belts are doing the same, exact thing. 2010 3.8 that I've only had about 2 months now. 53k miles on it and they were like that upon purchase. I've never noticed this on any other vehicle. I find it strange. I was thinking of running a bead of epoxy along the edges of the belts to see if it would put a stop to it.

 

[Mark_888]

Since the belts are made of some kind of plastic (polyester or something), using a very quick flame on them would melt the edges and keep them from unraveling. However, be very careful and do it very quickly a little at a time, and then wait for it to cool to see if you melted it enough.

 

[PMCErnie]

Since the belts are made of some kind of plastic (polyester or something), using a very quick flame on them would melt the edges and keep them from unraveling. However, be very careful and do it very quickly a little at a time, and then wait for it to cool to see if you melted it enough.

Exactly!

I was planning to do this fix, but my dealer replaced them when I was still under the 5/60,000 warranty.

 

[Dawg]

I used scissors and trimmed the edges which look somewhat better now.

 

[dtevescar]

In 8 years on this forum, I don't recall anyone else complaining about that. I suspect there is nothing wrong with the belt fabric, but instead something about the other parts that is chaffing on the belt edges, possibly because the belt is not threaded correctly through all the other parts.

I would ask your dealer about it, because some safety items like that are covered for longer warranties that the normal Hyundai warranty.

Good Idea!!! My dealer is the one that says the loud mechanical clanking during the first start in the morning is "normal", the "not ready for test VVT OBD2 issue for a smog test is "normal", the paint sloughing off plastic items is "not covered".....you mean that one??? The whole belt surface is covered with this "fuzz", top and bottom of the belt, it obviously is defective belt material....the "fuzz" consists of tiny threads all over the belt surface breaking, sticking up and curling, not just at the edges. I have given up on my local dealer, and will try another.

 

[Mark_888]

Good Idea!!! My dealer is the one that says the loud mechanical clanking during the first start in the morning is "normal", the "not ready for test VVT OBD2 issue for a smog test is "normal", the paint sloughing off plastic items is "not covered".....you mean that one??? The whole belt surface is covered with this "fuzz", top and bottom of the belt, it obviously is defective belt material....the "fuzz" consists of tiny threads all over the belt surface breaking, sticking up and curling, not just at the edges. I have given up on my local dealer, and will try another.

Just because something is normal, does not mean it is good. A lot of the items you mention are normal or widespread for your car (but not sure which engine you have). I have no idea why some are complaining about the seat belts, as most people have not experienced that problem, and hard to believe that they changed the seat belt material.

I would start using a full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil if you are not already doing so to see if that helps with your engine noise.

 

[dtevescar]

Synthetic oil used since first oil change....

 

[Mark_888]

Synthetic oil used since first oil change....

If you are using 5W-20, switch to 5W-30. You won't regret it.

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[dtevescar]

I've used 10W/30W full synthetic for life of the car, just switched to 15w/50w Mobil 1, and the cold start rattling has stopped....at least for now. I'll keep you updated..

 

[Mark_888]

I've used 10W/30W full synthetic for life of the car, just switched to 15w/50w Mobil 1, and the cold start rattling has stopped....at least for now. I'll keep you updated..

You might also try Mobil 1 0W-40.