Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 200,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 120,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | 107,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% | 47,000 miles |
| 2000 | 23 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 22 | 4% | 29,000 miles |
| 1998 | 23 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 22 | 3% | 78,000 miles |
| 1996 | 42 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 17 | 3% | 87,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. While sitting idle at a traffic stop, he was rear-ended by another vehicle. The seat belts did not lock or catch upon impact. Five vehicle occupants suffered neck injuries. The vehicle sustained moderate rear end damage and the rear doors would not close. The police arrived to the scene and a police report was filed accordingly. The dealer had not yet been contacted and there were no further inspections made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the seat belts in the second and third rows did not lock and would not restrain a passenger in the case of a crash. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted but did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 71,790 and the approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
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.
When filling with gas the engine turns off while driving, this happened on a left turn with vehicles approaching, cars had to stop and help push van out of street. Luckily it did not cause an accident, had two young children in vehicle , very fortunate for the quick response of other drivers. Fuel reading wrong first time car shut off while driving showing 1/ 4 tank of gas. Now shuts off showing more than 3/4 tank of gas this happen on the highway, lost all power steering as well. Again I had two young children in car. Seat belt not working properly. Headlight very dim at night not good few for night time driving. This vehicle is becoming more unsafe to drive.
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.
I am writing in response to a report that was featured on the news on 4/27/03 concerning the gen 3 seat belts on Chrysler and Dodge vehicles. I was very alarmed at the information that these seat belts can easily become unlatched with minimal pressure such as an elbow or drink container. The report also showed the "ball test" which easily disengaged the seat belt. There were several owners of vehicles featured, including a woman who lost her husband in an accident when his gen 3 seat belt unlatched during an accident and he was thrown 30 feet. Chrysler has insisted that the seat belt meets all safety standards, however it was reported that they have changed the seat belts in some of their newer model cars, including the front seat, but not the rear seat of the Caravan, I question why they would change the belt if there was no problem. …
I had purchased a 2002 Dodge Caravan se and immediately after it was back in the shop for repairs. I heard a noise in the window and the Dodge place told me it was nothing not to worry about it. Also I have made several trips to the Dodge place for the brakes (replaced 6 times ) , sliding door doesn't stay latched and always slides and hits my children while getting in or out of the vehicle, the drivers side seat belt comes undone for no reason (it wont stay latched), I had a flat and the tire jack broke while jacking up the van, I was stopped at a red light and all of a sudden my van just proceeded to go and I no control other than running in a ditch to stop, the van always drifts to the right when driving and dealer said it not faulty that's how its made to do, I had 7 sets of tires and the dealership said they couldn't find anything wrong with this vehicle , I had an alignment done 4 …
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.
Related recalls (4)
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.
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.
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain minivans, some trim material can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.
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.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.
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…
Seat belts › Integrated child seat
The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated child seat module bolts.
NHTSA investigations
Integrated child seat belt lockup
Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.Chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongue in thewell located between the child's legs.odi has 19 complaints of retract lockup.seven of…
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
Rear seat belt malfunction
This investigation was opened January 16, 2002, based on seven reports alleging the third row seat belt retractors failed on certain 1997 and 1998 model year caravan and voyager vehicles.the reports indicated a tar like substance entered the retractor mechanism, thus causing the retractor to jam or bind.in this condition the seat belt is rendered inoperable, as the webbing cannot retract or be withdrawn from the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Caravan years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (42), 1998 (23), 2000 (23), 1997 (22) and 1999 (22) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Caravan seat belt problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 04V-047 (retractor, Feb 3, 2004); 02V-076 (rear/other, Mar 8, 2002); 01V-119 (retractor, Apr 11, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Caravan seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › anchorage (35 mentions), followed by the front › buckle assembly (33).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.