NHTSA Complaint #704061 — 1999 SUBARU LEGACY

THE DESIGN OF THE REAR, CENTER SEATBELT CONFLICTS WITH THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF MANY CARSEAT DESIGNS. TO DATE, WE HAVE TRIED CENTURY ENCORE, CENTURY HORIZON, CENTURY SMARTMOVE, EVENFLO ON MY WAY (WITHOUT BASE). WITH ALL OF THESE CARSEATS, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SECURE THE CARSEAT TIGHT ENOUGH TO PREVENT MOVEMENT. THE USE OF A LOCKING CLIP DID NOT HELP. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BOTH BEEN CONTACTED. PER THE DEALER, THE SUGGESTION WAS TO READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. WHEN INFORMED THAT HAS BEEN DONE, THE DEALER RESPONDED THAT THE CAR SEAT SHOULD NOT BE PLACED IN THE CENTER. WHEN I THEN READ TO THE DEALER FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE PROPER INSTALLATION IN THE CENTER SEAT, DEALER RESPONDED WITH 'IT'S NEW TO ME.' THE MANUFACTURER TOOK VAGUE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPLAINT. I HAD TO VOLUNTEER MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE VIN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. QUESTION, HOW CAN THE MANUFACTURER OF A STATION WAGON WHICH TOUTS SAFETY, DESIGN A BELT WHICH IS NOT SAFE?