23 of the
840 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Caravan are about the
seat belts — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
73,087 miles.
I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS. ONE IS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK. THE OTHER IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER GEN3 SEAT BELTS THAT, IN SOME VEHICLES, HAVE UNLATCHED WHILE PEOPLE WERE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OF THE 1998 CARAVAN FOR BOTH OF THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10314899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Villa Park, IL
SEAT BELTS
OUR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY DON'T RETRACK ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH. WE JUST REPLACED THEM IN JANUARY OF 07 AND THEY DON'T RETRACK AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PIN OR I FORGET WHAT THEY CALLED IT SNAPPED AGAIN. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY. WE ARE AFRAID THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT PROTECT OR KIDS IF GOD FORBID WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY KEEP BREAKING WITH JUST EVERYDAY USE. EACH SEAT BELT COST AROUND $200.00 JUST FOR THE PARTS AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER FOR A MONTH AND NOW MY KIDS CAN'T SIT IN THE MIDDLE ROWS.
NHTSA complaint #10225369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berwyn, ILCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY WOULD SEND HER FILE OFF TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND SHE MAY HEAR FROM BACK FROM THEM, AND SHE MAY NOT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10139497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesUlysses, KYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, GOING AROUND A CURB, THE BACK OF THE VAN SKIDDED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OVER A HILL, AND IMPACTING A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, ONLY PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED I FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10110888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sammamish, WA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND THE CAR SEAT MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKELED INTO WENT FLYING INTO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN ARE EASILY DEPRESSED BY A GAME BOY, DOLLS OR MY OLDER DAUGHTER EITHER BUCKELING OR UNBUCKELING HER BOOSTER SEAT. I'VE FOUND MY 4 YEAR OLDS STRAP IN CAR SEAT UNBUCKELED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. HAD WE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RATHER THAN JUST A SUDDEN BRAKING MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10075085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ALL SEAT BELTS IN 1998 DODGE CARAVAN POPPED OUT WHEN LATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #10064288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape MAY, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH GEN3 SEAT BELTS WHICH HAS A RELEASE BUTTON WHICH PROTRUDES FROM THE REST OF THE BUCKLE. THE BUTTON CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY Y BUMPED WHICH CAUSES THE BUCKLE TO RELEASE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE BUCKLE BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10059860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,175 milesBrookville, PA
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER PAID FOR A REPAIR ON THE SEAT BELT AND LATER FOUND THAT THERE IS A REPAIR AND REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SEAT BELT REPAIR. DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED. MR
NHTSA complaint #10015893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walla Walla, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND CONSUMER WILL BE FORCED TO SLIDE OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walla Walla, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM DRIVER'S SEAT TO PASSENGER'S SEAT. BOTH HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THEM RELEASED, WHEN EXITING VEHICLE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO SLIDE OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...
NHTSA complaint #10002179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menominee, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SEAT BELTS BECAME UNBUCKLED WITHOUT NOTICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR AND SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #8018370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CACrashFire1 injured
SEAT BELTS
WHIELE DRIVING 25MPH ANOTHER CAR HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH ,CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #8018371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glaso, KS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TRIM MATERIAL ON THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSENING, AND IS CAUSING IT TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8015828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malta, NY3 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PASSED THE INSURED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE INSURED'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE PASSENGER WAS THROWN TO THE FLOOR, THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL AROUND THE PASSENGER WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A REST, THERE WERE 3 INJURIES.(CLAIM#52-2474-339)
NHTSA complaint #6901118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grandblanc, MI
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH PLASTIC SOUND BURIER PATCH CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED INTO REAR OUT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING SEAT BELT NOT TO WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, RECALL ON THIS PART DOESN'T AFFECT CONSUMER DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8007061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPLACED. THEN THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #753686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE SAFETY SEATS IN MY VAN HAVE DEFECTIVE LATCH PLATES! THE LATCH PLATES THAT I'M REFERRING TOO IS THE PLATE THAT IS RIGHT AT THE CHILD'S ARMPIT LEVEL. THIS LATCH PLATE WHEN PULLED ON WILL PULL COMPLETELY APART. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS UNSAFE FOR MY SON TO RIDE IN. I HAVE READ A LOT ON CHILD SEAT SAFETY AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I VELIEVE THAT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE IN THIS AREA THAT IN A CAR WREAK THIS LATCH PLATE WOULD PULL APART AND MY SON COULD BE VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. HE WOULD PROBABLY BE THROWN BETWEEN THE TWO SHOULDER BELTS INSTEAD OF BEING HELD BETWEEN THEM. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED MY BUCKLES 5 TIME. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DEFECT YET I DO! I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE MY SON A CENTURY CAR SEAT. ALL 5 OF THE BUCKLES THAT I WAS GIVEN ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY THINK A CHILD WOULD BE SAFE! I FEAR THAT THERE ARE OTHER CHILDREN RIDING IN THESE INTEGRATED CAR SEATS AND THERE PARENTS ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE LATCH PLATES AND THAT THERE CHILDREN ARE UNSAFE. I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANY CHILD HURT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF THE BUCKLES IF Y OU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL BE GLAD TO GET THEM TO YOU!!! THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN! I APPRECIATE WHAT YOUDO TRYING TO KEEP THE ROADS AND OUR FAMILIES SAFE!
NHTSA complaint #746682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hope, IN
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE GUIDES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS RUN THROUGH ARE "MELTING" SO THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT GO THROUGH THE GUIDES AS THEY SHOULD. WE HAVE STOPPED USING THEM BECAUSE THEY WOULD FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT RETRACT SECURELY ON A PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #746377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO HIT STEERING WHEEL DUE TO LACK OF RESTRAINT SUPPORT FROM SEAT BELT SYSTEM THAT WAS USED.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Clemente, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PASSENGER SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SEATBELT AROUND THE INTERGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT TIGHTENED AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #844619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Gatos, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE BODY SEALANT OOZING ON THEM - TO THE POINT WHERE ONE WILL NOT BUDGE FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE OTHER, IF YOU PULL HARD WILL RELEASE, BUT IT IS COVERED WITH STICKY SEALANT WHICH ONE WOULD NOT WANT TO WEAR!! I CALLED A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT WITH MY VEHICLE BEING OVER 36,000 MILES, THEY WOULDN'T REPAIR IT UNLESS I PAID ~$450.00. MEANWHILE, I CANNOT BUCKLE MY CHILDREN UP. I THINK THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THEY ARE FIXING THIS PROBLEM ON MOST OTHER MINIVANS BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER 36,000 MILES. THANKS - ED
NHTSA complaint #709435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.