I've had my 04 5AT sedan since november and i've noticed that the panel that the seat belt is attached to, the one right to the left of the driver next to the door, has gotten little chunks taken out of it. it looks like the seat belt buckle has been hitting the plastic column and messing it up. i was just wondering if anyone else has had this same problem and if they know a way to fix it.

 

That's going to happen with any car if you just let the belt "fly" back up when you take it off, I try to be careful with mine, and so far, not a mark after 15 months. Are you sure it's actually scratched? I had thought mine was, and it just cleaned off with a damp towel.

 

Mine is actually scratched. Mine comes from driving with the windows down. The wind catched the seatbelts and the flap and smack in to the trim right there. I just let it go. Its not that bad. The noise is what bothers me more. Maybe some clear bra right there would prevent the damage. Even try putting the soft side of velcro on the belt latch so its insulated from the trim as it hits.

 

yup.. same thing is happening to me on my 03.5

 

This may be a bit tacky - put some 2" wide clear packing tape on the panel. Poor man's clear bra?

I strategically use this tape to prevent the plastic panel getting scratches from long term wear-and-tear from my kids. My $0.02.

 

If no one is actually sitting in the seat, why not connect the seatbelt to stop it from hitting the piller? Just food for thought.

 

That sounds like a much better solution than putting packing tape on the pillar, geez, that would look extremely cheap, early Datsun like IMO!