2006 Dodge Durango Seat Belts Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE SAFETY RECALL. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF THE AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR SEAT BELTS PERTAINING TO THE PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURING CAUSING A FAILURE IN WHICH THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PROPERLY RETRACTING AND SECURING. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PLASTIC PIECE WAS ALSO DETERIORATING AND TO THE POINT OF FRACTURING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED IN 2006. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED ANY CRASHES MINOR OR MAJOR. INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONDITION WOULD BE CONSIDERED EXCELLENT, EXCEPT WHAT IS NOTED BELOW. BROKEN LATCH PLATE PLASTIC COVERS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND MIDDLE SEATS. THE BELTS FOR THESE SEATS WILL SLIDE AT WILL, MOVE FREELY AND NOT PREVENT THE OCCUPANT FROM GOING UP OR FORWARD IN A VEHICLE CRASH. BOTTOM-LINE, MY MUTLI-PASSENGER VEHICLE IS ONLY SAFE FOR THE DRIVER TO OCCUPY. I HAVE MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THESE BELTS IF REQUESTED.

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

SEAT BELTS CANNOT HANDLE STRESS WHEN THEY ARE USED TO INSTALL A CHILD'S CAR SEAT. THE PLASTIC LOCKING CLIP HAS BEEN BROKEN, REPLACED, AND REBROKEN. *TR