1997 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Belts Problems

THE PLASTIC LOCKING LATCHPLATE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSANGER SEAT HAVE BROKEN. THE DEALER FIXED THE FIRST PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BROKEN AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WILL COST OVER $100 TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH.

THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE IN USE.*AK

LETTER FROM PHYLLIS GIFFORD (FL) OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHO WASA INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN. CONTACTED GMC TO REPAIR/REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELT. REPLY TO ORLANDO FL. DISTRICT OFC ATTEN: JON MILLER STAFF ASSISTANT. *AK *NLM. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE TOO SHORT. *JB

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM

ALL SEAT SHOULDER BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF US$100. PLUS LABOR DUE TO THE PLASTIC BREAKING OFF AND THE INTERNAL SPRING SCRATCHING MY HAND. THIS ALSO PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM RETAINING A SMALL CHILD SAFETY CHAIR.*AK

BOTH REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF US$202.49 DUE TO THE PLASTIC COVERING ON THE LATCHPLATE CRACKING AND FALLING OFF. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BELTS WERE PRIMARILY USED TO SECURE CHILD SEATS. I DON'T FEEL THE BELTS ARE OF QUALITY TO SUPPORT CHILD SEATS. I'M ALSO AFRAID THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WILL NOT SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY TO MAKE THEIR RESTRAINTS SAFE AGAIN. THE DEALER TOLD ME WE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BELTS DUE TO THERE NOT BEING A RECALL ON THEM. I ALSO FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD ABSORB THIS COST. *AK