NHTSA Complaint #11363520 — 2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

I OWN A USED 2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 4X4. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LATCHING UNLESS I PRESS DOWN ON THE RED BUTTON. THE RED SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT WON'T GO OFF AND THE AUDIBLE CHIMES CONTINUOUSLY AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE MANUAL DOES DESCRIBE A METHOD IN WHICH YOU CAN DISABLE THE SEATBELT INDICATOR CHIME. HOWEVER, TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS YOU MUST BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SEATBELT IN THE BUCKLED POSITION, WHICH THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO DETECT AS THE SEATBELTS ARE FAULTY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CHIME IS TO SNIP THE SEAT BELT SENSOR AND GROUND WIRES COMING FROM THE VEHICLES COMPUTER UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND SPLICE THEM TOGETHER. THIS WILL GROUND OUT THE SENSOR BUT IT ALSO CAUSES THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. SO, YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN EITHER HAVING AIRBAGS AND A NONSTOP SEATBELT INDICATOR CHIME, OR NO CHIME AND NO AIRBAGS. THIS IS TROUBLESOME.