Click sound from the driver seatbelt buckle area

[pokeythepenguin]

Thanks guys. Sprayed it just in where the buckle goes into the, um, buckler? or beneath that area, where things connect to the bottom of the buckler?

[pgh]

Yea, Try where it goes in.

[ckhbuy]

Same, the clicking drove me NUTS, always happened when I changed my weight in the seat due to a tight curve or acceleration. I followed the advice of another thread, but the bullet and sprayed WD40 in the buckle mechanism, leaving the windows open all day to let the smell dissipate. Click has been gone for 8 months now...hope it doesn't come back tomorrow!

[2snaps]

Originally Posted by ckhbuy

Same, the clicking drove me NUTS, always happened when I changed my weight in the seat due to a tight curve or acceleration.

Same issue here. Hard to replicate when just sitting in the car while it's not moving.

Going into the dealer today to see if they have a fix. I like my car smelling like leather, not WD40.

[jogosub]

I think all cars have inertia switches integrated with seat belts so that they lock, when you apply brake or generate certain G-force, while turning.
Does this click just click randomly or only when you apply brakes or turn? If so, there is your culprit. Those circuits may be defective....or it's a click that the inertia switch generates...

[Bolocop]

It's great I found this thread. Have the same click sound (2.5 2013 Limited), but I always thought it was coming from the console by the arm rest. Same general area... Almost started taking it apart.

I'll try some silicone spray when I get home.

Thanks, guys!

These things are rattle traps. I've been chasing down rattles since the first week. Making progress...

[*Subie*]

I have the same issue. I brought it to the dealer twice and of course both times I was told they could not duplicate my complaint.

[ckhbuy]

This issue drove me bonkers. Even time I would go around a corner or shift my weight I would get this click from the "buckler" using the term used here. Eventually I bit the bullet after reading the other thread, sprayed WD 40 into the "buckler" , left the windows open as long as possible, and the problem disappeared. Took a week for the smell to disappear, but well worth it.

Christopher

[2snaps]

Update:

Went to the dealer couple days ago after reading the forums about this issue. Mentioned my problem. Service adviser said he had not heard anything about this. I asked about using WD40 as a possible fix. He recommended using a dry graphite lube, as spraying liquid inside the buckle can cause dust/dirt build up and that could be a bad thing long run.

I tried the graphite, had no effect on the clicking sound.

My car is currently at the dealer, I did a ride along with the tech to make sure we were talking about the same sound. He's going to try a silicone spray because its a little heavier. If that does not resolve it, they are recommending replacement of the buckle.

The tech also mentioned that there is a known issue with 2011 or 2010 Outbacks, and the driver buckle. The issue is described as a rattle, not a clicking. I asked the tech if he ever had one of those in for service, and he had not. So he couldn't tell me if this was a similar issue.

Responding to Jogosub, the clicking is pretty much random which is why it's so tough to nail down. Breaking or turning is when it's easiest to replicate it seems, or bumps, but that appears to be because of flexing on the seat belt lap band pulling on the buckle. Moving around in the seat while driving straight will also sometimes cause this issue.

[2snaps]

Quick update:

-The dealer took out the seat, re adjusted the seat belt buckle, and sprayed silicone inside the buckle itself. This resulted in noticeably less clicking, and slightly quieter clicking. Overall I would say 50% better.

-However, it still drives me crazy, so i'm having the dealer replace the entire seat belt buckle next week.

-All this was covered under the 3 year/ 36,000 warranty