NHTSA Complaint #10030921 — 2000 DODGE CARAVAN

I OWN A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THEY DO NOT MEET SAFETY STANDARD ('BUCKLE RELEASE MECHANISM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTAL RELEASE.') AND ARE DANGEROUSLY PRONE TO UNLATCHING DURING AUTO ACCIDENTS. THE BUCKLE, KNOWN AS THE GENERATION 3 (GEN3), MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AS MANY AS 16 MILLION CHRYSLER, DODGE AND JEEP VEHICLES.*AK THE BUCKLE HAS BECOME UNLATCHED MANY TIMES FOR MY TWO CHILDRENS CAR SEATS AND I KNOW HAVE TO CHECK THEM EVERYTIME I GET IN THE CAR. TWO WOMEN WERE KILLED AND A CHILD SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT DEC. 28, 2002, NEAR BEEVILLE, TEXAS. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS TO 17 AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO 27 IN ACCIDENTS IN WHICH GEN3 BUCKLES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE UNLATCHED. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL TO HAVE THE SEATBELT REPLACED WITH ONE THAT MEET STANDARDS AND WILL DO IT'S JOB TO HELP PROTECT MY FAMILY IN AN ACCIDENT.