NHTSA Complaint #10126852 — 2002 DODGE DURANGO

JUNE 16, 2005 - MY SON TURNED 17. JUNE 23, 2005 - MY SON RECEIVED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO AS A GIFT. JUNE 26, 2005 - MY SON'S 2002 DODGE DURANGO'S DRIVER'S SEATBELT FAILED AS HE WAS EXITING HIS FATHER'S DRIVEWAY. JUNE 28, 2005 - TOOK DODGE IN FOR FAILED SEATBELT AND WAS TOLD VIA TELEPHONE THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $400.00 TO REPLACE. I CALLED MANUFACTURER AND COMPLAINED, SITING WEBSITES AND CBS (2003) DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE OF THEM BEING THE FAILED SEATBELT. TO QUOTE "APPROXIMATELY 16 MILION DODGE VEHICLES HAVE A SEAT BELT THAT DOES NOT PASS THE STANDARD FOR ACCIDENTAL SAFETY". THEIR RESPONSE: WELL ITS' NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND ITS NOT A RECALL, BUT I'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. THEY ARE CHARGING ME A "CO-PAY" OF $75.00 FOR A NEW COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. YOUR GOVERNMENT BRANCH, THE DODGE MANUFACTURER AND OWNERS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. COULD DODGE GIVE ME BACK MY SON IF MY SON HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE HIS DODGE DURANGO DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED!! WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO TAKE A STAND AND TELL THE DODGE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LEMONS. AS FAR AS THE QUESTIONS BELOW, NHTSA KNOWS BETTER THAN I.