In this article:

• The Buckle’s Evolution
• The Seatbelt Buckle “Ball Test”
• Vehicles’ Affected
• Class Action News

Recent lawsuits allege that the Gen 3 seatbelt buckle is dangerously prone to unlatching in collisions. These buckles have a release button that protrudes significantly beyond the button cover. In a collision, the protruding button can be struck by an arm, elbow, or loose object releasing the seatbelt latch plate from the buckle. The Gen3 buckle may have been installed in as many as 14 million Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles between1993 and 2001, including 3.9 million minivans. To date, at least three deaths in the United States are alleged to have been attributed to inadvertent unlatching of the Gen3 seatbelt.

As early as 1996, Chrysler has known that the Gen3 seatbelt buckle had a tendency to unlatch. Testing by DaimlerChrysler produced in recent litigation revealed that it knew of at least four crash tests demonstrating that the Gen3 seatbelt would inadvertently open under certain crash conditions. Frontal impact tests performed by DaimlerChrysler on the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Durango models showed crash test dummies’ flaying appendages impacting the release button and opening the buckle. In Moran vs. DaimlerChrysler, a recent Texas case, Chrysler engineers testified that after viewing crash tests conducted in 1996 of the Durango and Dakota, they recommended that Chrysler upgrade the buckles in those model vehicles to the Gen4, another seatbelt model. The seatbelt buckle on the Chrysler Durango also released during Canadian government testing.

This particular seat belt buckle has a history of accidental release during crashes. There have been numerous complaints of inadvertent releases filed at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of particular concern is the number of complaints of the tendency of the Gen3 buckle to unlatch when fastened around infant and child car seats during sharp turns or sudden stops.

DaimlerChrysler continues to stand by its Gen3 belt buckle. DaimlerChrysler has acknowledged that the Gen3 seatbelts did release in the company’s crash tests on the Durango and Dakota and due to this knowledge the seatbelts were replaced in those vehicles. However, the company claims that the belts did not release in hundreds of other crash tests, therefore they were not replaced in other models. It appears that unless action is taken to force the issue, many Americans are in potential danger of inadvertent buckle unlatching.

The Buckle’s Evolution

The Gen3 seatbelt system was a replacement for Chrysler’s Gen2 system which had been recalled by the manufacturer in September 1997 because of a false latching condition. Minor modification were made to the Gen2 seatbelt system before it was rebadged as the Gen3. These modifications included only a new cover and a more prominent buckle release. The Gen3 release button protrudes approximately 1/4 inch higher than the Gen2 button. No changes were made to the internal components of the belt system.

The Gen3 belt’s prominent release button protrudes almost 3/4 of inch beyond the button cover. This protrusion allows for the buckle release to be hit by an elbow or a small object during an accident. Frontal impact tests performed by Chrysler on the Dakota and Durango models showed that upon completion of same tests, the seatbelt buckle was unlatched due to the dummies’ arms striking the buckle.

Shortly after these tests were performed the Dakota and Durango were equipped with a new belt system, the Gen4. Chrysler began installing the Gen4 seatbelt in the front seats of minivans beginning with the 2000 model year. It’s important to note that Chrysler continues to install Gen3 belts in the middle and rear seats.

The Seatbelt Buckle “Ball Test”

Some automakers use a “ball test” to measure a buckle’s propensity for inadvertent release. This is a simple pass-failure test. A metal ball of a specified diameter is pressed against a latched seat belt buckle. It either remains latched and passes or releases and fails. General Motors Company uses a 30 mm ball for testing. Ford Motor Company uses 32 mm ball for testing.

Chrysler previously used General Motors’ 30 mm ball test but eliminated it in the design of the Gen3 seatbelt buckle. Chrysler claims to have used the 40 mm ball test in testing of the Gen3. In a videotaped deposition, a Chrysler engineer applied both the 30 mm and 40 mm balls to a Gen3 buckle. The buckle unlatched in each application.

A national news program, ABC PrimeTime, used an independent testing laboratory to test Gen3 belts for a program that aired on March 7, 2002. The testing showed that the Gen3 buckle failed “100 percent of the time.” Other manufacturers’ seatbelt buckles passed the test.

Vehicles’ Affected

The following is a list of vehicles identified as having Gen3 seatbelts:

Chrysler Concorde, 1994-2002
Chrysler Lebaron GTC, 1994-date of discontinuation
Chrysler LHS, 1993-2001
Chrysler New Yorker, 1994-date of discontinuation
Chrysler Town & Country Van, 1994-2002
Chrysler Voyager, 2002
Chrysler 300M, 1999-2002
Dodge B-150 Van, 1996
Dodge Cargo Van, 1999-2000
Dodge Caravan, 1994-2002
Dodge Conversion Van 1998-2000
Dodge Grand Voyager, 1994-2001
Dodge Grand Caravan, 1996-2001
Dodge Ram 150 Van, 1995-1998
Dodge Ram 1500 Van, 1996-2001
Dodge Ram 1500 Conversion Truck, 1998-2000
Dodge Ram 1500 Wagon, 1995-1996
Dodge Ram 250 Van, 1995
Dodge Ram 2500 Van, 1995-2000
Dodge Ram 2500 Wagon, 1998-2000
Dodge Ram 2500 Truck, 1996-1997
Dodge Ram 350 X-Wagon, 1996-1997
Dodge Ram 3500 Van, 1995-2001
Dodge Ram 3500 Conversion Truck, 1998-1999
Dodge Ram 3500 Wagon, 1997-2000
Dodge Ram 3500 X-Van, 1995-1997
Dodge Ram 3500 X-Wagon, 1995-1997
Dodge Ram 3500 Maxivan, 1996
Dodge Ram Van, 2002
Dodge Shadow, 1994
Dodge Spirit 1994-1995
Dodge Viper, 1995-1997, 2002
Eagle Vision, 1993-1997
Intrepid, 1993-2002
Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1996-2002
Jeep Wrangler, 1997-2002
Jeep Wrangler Sport, 2000
Jeep Cherokee, 1996-2001
Jeep Wagoneer, 1996-date of discontinuation
Plymouth Sundance, 1994
Plymouth Acclaim 1994-1995
Plymouth Voyager Minivan, 1994-2001

In addition, some 1993 model year vehicles, the Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country Van, and Plymouth Voyager Minivan used the Gen-3 Buckle but this can only be determined by a visual inspection. (Information provided by DaimlerChrysler to ABCNEWS)

Class Action News

A nationwide class action has been granted on behalf of the owners of approximately 14 million Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Its focus is the inadvertent unlatching of Gen3 seatbelt buckle. The class action seeks the replacement of all Gen3 seatbelts in Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Prior to the certification of this class action, attorneys for DaimlerChrysler acknowledged that, if certified, this class action would be the largest automotive national class action ever certified.

In conjunction with the national class action, class action lawsuits have been filed in several states across the country including Florida.