Integrated child seat belt lockup

An NHTSA investigation into Dodge vehicles. Closed 4 February 1997.

Investigation
SQ96016
Opened
18 September 1996
Closed
4 February 1997

What NHTSA investigated

Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongue in thewell located between the child's legs.odi has 19 complaints of retract lockup.seven of these complaints report cutting the straps to remove the child.two of the seven consumers allege the child was choking.chrysler reports 60 owner/field reports which indicated 19 harnesses were cut to remove the children.additional information is needed to fully assess the safety consequence of the alleged defect and to evaluate the chrysler corporation's rational for not conducting a safety recall campaign.

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
ChryslerTOWN AND COUNTRY1995–1997
DodgeCARAVAN1995–1997
DodgeGRAND CARAVAN1995–1997
PlymouthGRAND VOYAGER1995–1997
PlymouthVOYAGER1995–1997

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.