During a left side impact collision with a semi truck the left seatbelt of the middle row seat failed to lock. It caused my backseat passenger to be thrown from side to side in the van because of the seatbelt releasing too much slack upon collision. She sustained multiple injuries and was unable to walk for 6 weeks.
Dodge Caravan seat belt problems
181 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 1992 model year.
- owner complaints
- 181
- worst model year
- 1992
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 2Headlights 1Door locks 1Coil spring 1Airbag light 1ABS 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH through an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. The front passenger seat belt failed and the passenger sustained injuries to the back. The police were called and a report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The vehicle was parked and the contact detected the driver side seat belt would not latch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the failure was contributed to a latch fork in the seat belt sticking or possibly the spring being worn. The new part was replaced at the owners expense for $400.00. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v047000 seat belts, front retractor); however, the VIN was excluded from the recall defect. The failure mileage was 112,228. Updated 05/19/10 *bf updated 05/20/10.
Ltr on behalf of (in) re 2 known defects (seat belt latches & gear shift interlock) in dodge caravans requesting an investigation into possible safety recall fm owner of a 1998 dodge caravan. *kb the consumer found the generation 3 seat belt latches have been known to unbuckle, on some vehicles, while the vehicle was in motion. The consumer stated he didn't experience the incident with his vehicle, but it was scary to think that it has been known to happen. The vehicle was not built with a gear shift interlock. The consumer stated someone including a child could move the gear shift into drive or reverse without the ignition being on, or without stepping on the brake.
Seatbelt ceased to function. Seems to be a problem/defect with the retractor mechanism. Seatbelt in question is second row, passenger side. Had a child car seat secured in our vehicle with seat belt. Child outgrew seat, so switched out for a booster seat. Attempted to buckle child into booster seat. Seat belt locked across child's chest. I unbuckled the seat belt to re-buckle it more comfortably. The seatbelt "gave" a little slack, then froze in it's position. It no longer retracts, nor does it extend further. Concerned, because how would the broken belt have functioned had there ever been a crash? Moreover, concerned about safety/functionality of other belts in the vehicle.
Dt*: the contact stated the front passenger seat belt became stuck. The seat belt did not retract and was not able to be pulled out at all. Also, the air bag warning light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the seat belt problem. When the air bag was tested, the mechanic stated that there was a code which only the dealer could decipher.
1. Over the weekend drivers seat belt failure (female clasp) under normal conditions 2. Driver of vehicle was not compliant with ohio state seat belt laws and not restrained in case of an accident 3. I purchased a new seat belt part from the parts department asap.
Dt: the consumer's vehicle hit a semi trailer at about 20 MPH and the frontal airbags did not deploy. The driver tried to brake, and the impact was in the front of the vehicle. The bumper was moved back 8 inches, the transmission, the cooler and radiator were bent over the motor. Consumer has filed a complaint with chrysler, and they sent an investigator to see the damage and take pictures. The van was totaled. There was 1 injury, the injury would not had been as bad if the airbags would have deployed. The passenger suffered internal injuries, bleeding, and bruising due to seat belt failure.
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.
The consumer's vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. Driver's seat belt failed to retract. As a result, the consumer's head hit the steering, and consumer sustained mild bruises. *ak
Related recalls
Seat belts: front: retractor
- What is wrong
- After performing the ncap test, it was discovered that on certain minivans equipped without the available "stow 'n go" seating option, the right front seat belt retractor assembly may have been improperly assembled.
- Risk
- As a result, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant during certain crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the retractor assemblies and any seat belt assembly that does not have the stake will be replaced. Owner notification began on february 23, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V047000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, some trim material can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the trim with foam blockers and inspect and replace all 3rd row seat belt assemblies. Owner notification began june 3, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V076000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: retractor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain van, wagon, pickup trucks, passenger and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the front seat belt retractor may not comply with the requirements of the standard.
- Risk
- If the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V119000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger mini-vans. The center rear seat, right outboard side, safety belt anchor hook can become unattached from the body anchor position.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the anchor hook retaining clip with a revised profile clip and a cover plate.
Recall number 97V149000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger mini-vans. Covers on the solid stalk mounted seat belt buckles can become dislodged causing the release button to stick inside the cover. The buckle would then be only partially latched.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a cover retaining clip to the stalk mounted buckle cover to prevent dislocation of the buckle cover.
Recall number 97V148000 · Recall details
Seat belts: integrated child seat
- What is wrong
- The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle accident, the child seat may not provide adequate protection to the occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the integrated child seat module bolts.
Recall number 96V136000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Inboard front seat belt buckle assembly straps can suffer fatigue failure of the strap near its anchor position.
- Risk
- Fatigue failure of safety belts in a sudden stop oraccident condition results in increased likelihood of injury to seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Replace fatigued straps or retrofit straps with a reinforcement plate and removal of an antirotation tab to prevent fatigue failure.
Recall number 91V053000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Caravan seat belt
Which Dodge Caravan years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1992 (52 complaints), 1993 (39 complaints) and 1991 (33 complaints).
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