2008 Dodge RAM 1500: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Airbags · CO · crash · 5 injuries

On 22 Jan 2022, airbags failed to deploy during a head on collision. Collision occurred after losing control on black ice. While driving 55 mph along a straight and level section of a single lane highway, truck spun into on-coming traffic. The driver and passenger experienced whiplash, multiple bruises from the seat belt, and the driver broke both ankles and sternum, and needed stitches from a gash above the eye. Truck received airbag recall work at a local dealership in 2016. Insurance has declared the damages to the vehicle a total loss. Owner has signed a release of the vehicle to auto insurance. Not sure if claims adjuster or insurance company is investigating airbag failure. Looks like others have experienced this same problem.

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Airbags, Brakes · 147,000 miles · TN · crash

I was getting off work and going about 25 MPH on the street when I was involved in a head on collision, I had seen the light change when I pushed on the brake pedal, I heard a crunching noise and no brakes. All I could do was hold on to the steering wheel. The seat belt did not lock up and the air bags did not deploy, with me ending up hitting the steering. Wheel.

Filed Mar 16, 2017 · Body, Seat belts · 141,000 miles · DE · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that while stationary, the seatbelt retractors stopped functioning. In addition, the middle seatbelt had mold. The contact also stated that the overhead passenger's handle on the vehicle that assisted entering in and out of the vehicle, fractured and struck the contact's wife in the head. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was repaired but the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Seat belts · 90,486 miles · FL

Vehicle was stopped. My wife was sitting in the passenger seat, tried to unlatch the seat belt to exit the vehicle. The buckle would not unlatch to let her out of the seat. As she tried to " squiggle" out of the seat belt, the retractor locked and she was trapped in the seat. I attempted to operate release button and it failed to release belt buckle. I tried to get the retractor to unlatch and it got tighter and tighter. I would have cut the belt in an emergency, but were only a few miles from home. I removed a plastic trim piece on the outboard part of the seat to gain access to the belt attachment bolt. Luckily I had the special tool required to remove the bolt. A torx 45 star socket and ratchet wrench. I removed the bolt and freed her by freeing the end of the seat belt that attaches to the outboard passenger seat base. Called local dealer bay dodge - panama city, fl. They would repair for normal parts and labor. They told me to call chrysler customer service 800‑992‑1997. Talked to rep (terry lynn) she said there was no recall. I told here I wanted to formally report a life safety issue with the vehicle. She gave me a case number 24486512, she said chrysler reviews the complaints, but I would not receive a reply. I feel this is a defect, not a malfunction. If you go into the water or have fire, or are in a freeway pile up in the fog, the occupant would be trapped and probably be killed if they did not have an instrument to cut the seat belt. Chrysler acted as if I were complaining about something insignificant like a radio knob falling off. I contacted the ftc consumer complaints division and filed same complaint case [xxx]. I stumbled onto to your website on my own through ntsb link. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Seat belts · 18,000 miles · WA

The re-tractor for the passenger side seat belt failed and locked. Unable to put on seat belt.