Chrysler Repair: Sebring Conv. Seat Belt Safety Issue, highway traffic safety, traffic safety administration

Question
I have found several links regarding a problem I am having with my 1999 sebring convertible. The seat belt retracting mechanism for the front seat belts will lock and won't allow the belt to unroll. This causes a safety issue since neither the driver or passenger can use the belt. It is also a legal issue in some states. I filed a complaint on https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and some with Chrysler. If it looks to be a common problem, the NHTSA will require a fix.

Answer
Hi Mike,
Thanks for raising this issue which you appear to also be championing. You are not the first to bring the problem to the site. Here is what I said in response to a question on this subject last year:
"I believe it is caused by part of the collision mitigation system called the 'seat belt control timer' which controls the locking up/unlocking of the retractor mechanism and which is covered under a very specific federal requirement/warranty.
In the interest of safety it would seem to me that it should be brought to the attention of the dealer/regional Chrysler service representative/Chrysler Corp. in Detroit/  and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (fed. gov. in Washington,DC.).
Somewhere along that chain you should be able to find redress for the situation at no cost to you as this is a required safety device that has to function reliably.
The NHTSA keeps reports like yours on file and if enough are collected can force the corporation to recall and replace the offending models, but even if yours was the only one the law requires that these safety systems work.
So I encourage you to try this approach starting with the dealer and telling them that this is a matter of a federal required safety system malfunction and that it should be repaired under warranty. I believe that you may be able to pursue this also on-line at www.NHTSA.gov if you do not get satisfaction from the Chrysler dealer."
 
Roland
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