Seat Belt complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The consumer lost control of vehicle while driving on an icy road between 30 - 35 MPH. When this occurred, the vehicle hit a pole head on. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed, and the passenger side seat belt unbuckled. The passenger sustained serious head injuries when his head had come in contact with the windshield. Odi followed up with consumer and learned that the passenger side seat belt buckle did not release as earlier stated in the crash. The complaint was on the performace of the retractor. The passenger side seat belt retractor May not have locked up during the impact. The vehcile was totaled and taken away. The consumer could not inspect the retractor for odi during the follow up call. Cw
The plastic tension device on the seat belts (buckle end) are breaking off. This is of most importance with my child safety seats. It does not allow for the seats to stay in place as they loosen up in just one short trip. This affects the safety, security and life of my children. This needs to be repaired right away.
On two occasions, upon installing a child seat in the middle section of the rear seat in my 2002 quad cab Dodge Ram, the plastic tension clip on the seat belt that holds the tension to keep the seat belt in place has broken. First time, Dodge replaced for free, the second occurrence, 10 months & 14,000 miles later the clip broke again. The second occurrence, Dodge replaced the part, but not the labor. First occurrence took place in October of 2004, and second occurrence happen in August of 2005.
While driving approximately 45mph, had an accident by rear ending vehicle in front. ABS braking system had locked up. This caused the vehicle to skid into the vehicle in front. Air bags failed to deploy upon impact. Front end of vehicle was destroyed. Also, seat belts failed to restrain and driver suffered chest pains from hitting steering wheel, and had to be taken to hospital.
Consumer was involved in an accident, hitting a ditch when driving at 30-32 MPH. Driver side seat belt failed to restrain driver, seat belt failed to lock up which forced driver over steering wheel. Driver sustained injuries to neck and back. Consumer has not been to work for over one year due to injuries sustained in accident.
While driving 70 MPH driver fell asleep at the wheel and hit another vehicle that was parked on the side of the shoulder of the highway. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver's side seat belt snapped in half. Driver sustained head injuries and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was totaled.
I was traveling around 30mph. Came up on stop sign road turned to ice coud not stop hit enbankment head on shoulder strap did not catch face hit windshield cracked nose in two places.if air bags would have deployed injuries would not have been so bad !!!
Consumer was traveling on the highway with his son in the rear/center seat. Son told his father that seat belt was broken. Upon examination, consumer noticed that anchor part of the seatbelt was never bolted in.
Related recalls (2)
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 › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front seat belt buckles were not properly riveted to the support strap.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front outer seat belt buckles with buckles that have been properly riveted.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Ram years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (17), 1999 (17), 2001 (12), 1995 (8) and 1996 (7) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Dodge Ram seat belt problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V-119 (retractor, Apr 11, 2001); 98V-105 (buckle assembly, May 14, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Ram seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (31 mentions), followed by the front › anchorage (17).
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.