NHTSA Complaint #11535768 — 2014 DODGE DURANGO

Defect pertains to the front driver seatbelt assembly. The overmold of the seatbelt pillar loop has cracked causing part deformation that pinches the webbing. Webbing is able to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor assembly, but, to some extent has retraction issues. This was an issue on the front passenger seatbelt assembly several years ago, and was replaced by the dealership. It has now occurred on the driver side seatbelt assembly. I am concerned that this problem could lead to poor coupling of an occupant to the vehicle who is buckled in a position with this defect and unaware. If an occupant leans forward in their seat, a significant amount of webbing slack can be left in the system leading to a poor webbing path over the occupant torso, and/or poor coupling between the upper torso of the occupant and the belt / vehicle. This may also change the dynamics between the webbing and crash locking tongue and lead to unexpected performance characteristics.