NHTSA Complaint #10287301 — 2005 DODGE RAM 1500

IN A 2005 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB PICKUP THE REAR OVER-THE-SHOULDER SEATBELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RIGHT REAR BUCKLE BROKE AND I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THINKING NOTHING OF IT. IT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OR MAY THIS YEAR. I HAVE A CHILD SEAT IN THE CENTER REAR SEAT, USING THE SEATBELT AS THE RESTRAINT. UPON BRAKING TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER DRIVER WHO CUTS ME OFF, I HEARD THE SOUNDS OF CRACKING AND BREAKING OF PLASTIC. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNTIL LATER WHEN I NOTICED THE CHILD SEAT A LITTLE LOOSE. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE PLASTIC ON THE LAP BELT BUCKLE WAS SHATTERED. I TRIED TIGHTENING IT UP BUT IT WILL NOT COMPLETELY TIGHTEN LIKE IT SHOULD. THIS HAPPENED LATER LAST MONTH FOR THE THIRD TIME, THIS TIME TO THE LEFT REAR WHEN A PASSENGER JUST WENT TO RE-POSITION HERSELF. SHE WAS ONLY 80 SOME POUNDS!! THE CONSEQUENCES ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE BRITTLE HARD PLASTIC PIECE ON THE BUCKLE PREVENTS THE LAP SECTION TO TIGHTEN CORRECTLY. UNLESS THE WHOLE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS REPLACED, JUST TO FIX A BROKEN PIECE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC, THE SEATBELT IS USELESS. A PASSENGER COULD EASILY SLIDE OUT FROM UNDER THE BELT IN A FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION. WHAT WAS DONE: I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION IN DETROIT. A CUSTOMER REP STATED HE WOULD CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO RECOMMEND NOT CHARGING LABOR FEES JUST TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY BROKEN, AND THE DEALER WAS TO CONTACT ME IN RETURN WITH AN APPOINTMENT. THAT NEVER HAPPENED. I NEEDED THE DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO FAX TO CHRYSLER TO REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. I AM LOOKING OUT FOR EVERYONE ELSE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE 2 REMAINDER BROKEN BELTS INSTALLED. IT IS EVIDENT THAT CHRYSLER OBVIOUSLY REALIZED THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW JEEP WRANGLER 4-DOOR. ALL SIX SEATBELTS ARE MADE OF THE SAME DURABLE RUBBERY SUBSTANCE THAT THE ONES IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY DODGE RAM ARE MADE OF. THIS IS THE WAY THEY ALL SHOULD BE. *TR