NHTSA Complaint #10093501 — 1999 KIA SPORTAGE

THE RETRACTOR TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT JUST FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD. AND WHEN I SAY FELL OFF, I MEAN LITERALLY FELL OFF. MY DAUGHTER HEARD THE RETRACTOR FALL DOWN THE SIDE PANEL. THE SEATBEAT THEN HAD NO RESISTANCE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT, LEAVING THE SEATBELT USELESS. AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION, I FOUND THE PLASTIC DOWELS HOLDING THE RETACTING MECHANISM TO THE SEATBELT HAD JUST FALLEN OFF OR WORN AWAY. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES. SEEMS THESE PLASTIC DOWELS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH METAL OR STEEL ONES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE REPORTED TO KIA ASAP. *AK