NHTSA Complaint #10522238 — 2013 FORD FLEX

ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE, ONE OF THE INFLATABLE SEATBELT BUCKLES CRACKED AT THE BUCKLE CASING. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE SECOND SEAT BELT BUCKLE CRACKED. I HAD BOTH BUCKLES REPLACED AND NOW I HAVE A 3RD BUCKLE CRACK. THIS MAKES THE SEATBELTS UNSAFE AND DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE TOP PART OF THE SEAT BELT (WHERE THE INFLATABLE PORTION ORIGINATES) BECOMES TWISTED AND STUCK AT THE TOP, AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELT AND USE IT. THIS INFLATABLE SEATBELT FEATURE IS IN THE SECOND ROW WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT. THEY ARE UNABLE TO USE THE SEATBELTS UNASSISTED AS THEY ARE HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO MANIPULATE EVEN WHEN THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY. THIS NEW FEATURE IS UNSAFE AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE EACH AND EVERY TIME THEY ARE USED. I PAID TO HAVE THESE SPECIAL SEATBELTS INCLUDED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND EVEN CHOSE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS NEW SPECIAL FEATURE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM REMOVED AND TO HAVE REGULAR STANDARD SEATBELTS INSTALLED. THANK YOU. *TR