Chrysler Repair: Sebring seat belts retractors lock for no reason, highway traffic safety, traffic safety administration

Question
My driver side seat belt will "lock" and I am unable to get it out to buckle it. Sometimes it will "lock" while buckled, like it would do it I were to slam on my brakes, then it will mysteriously release. Here's the good part. Whenever this happens on the driver side, it also happens on the passenger side, EXACTLY the same. I'm told the two have no connection, but the coincidense is truly amazing!!!


Answer
Hi Marilee,
That is interesting, but I haven't seen anyother reports so far. 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