Chrysler GEN 3 Seat Belt Buckle Failures - Talk to a Lawyer about a SeatBelt Lawsuit

These Chrysler Generation 3 (Gen3) buckles may be defective and inadvertently release or open during a crash or wreck. No GEN3 Buckle Recall has been announced. A number of deaths and serious injuries have however been blamed on the faulty buckle design. In many of these wrecks, the police conclude that the person was not belted, because they were ejected or found unbelted, when upon a closer inspection, it is determined the Gen 3 buckle button was accidentally hit or engaged, allowing the person to be seriously injured or killed in the collision.

Chrysler's GEN 3 Seatbelt Buckles are contained in 14 Million 1993-2002 Chrysler Vehicles. The GEN3 Seat Belt Buckle a/k/a Generation 3 Seat Belt Buckles, appear to be defective and dangerous and should be recalled. On the Gen 3 buckle, the release button is raised above the cover, which makes it prone to accidental release during collisions The Gen3 buckle can inadvertently release in a crash from contact from a hand, elbow, car seat, child carrier or other object during the crash. In some cases it may inadvertently release before the collision as well. The Gen3 buckle has certain design characteristics that set it apart from other buckles. Other buckles have a release button that is flush with the outside cover, which protects the buckles from accidental release or inadvertent actuation during a collision, but no so with Chrysler's buckle.

The Center for Auto Safety on March 8, 2002 called on Daimler Chrysler to recall 14 million vehicles with Gen 3 seatbelt buckles that can inadvertently release in a crash due to a release button that protrudes too high and fails a simple safety test that other manufacturers' seatbelt buckles pass.The problem is that the protruding release button can be hit or bumped by an elbow, a child seat or other object in a crash and release. According to CAS Executive Director, Clarence Ditlow, the defect can be deadly and escapes detection because after the crash it looks like the occupant was not wearing a seat belt. Mr. Ditlow said: "Seat belts are your last line of defense in a crash and should never fail. Yet Chrysler's Gen 3 seatbelt buckles are like a perfect crime because dead men tell no tales. After a fatal crash, the occupant is not alive to say the buckle came apart. The Center calls on DaimlerChrysler to recall all Gen 3 seatbelt buckles and replace them with the safer Gen 4 buckle."

The Center also called on NHTSA to adopt the industry standard test using a 30 to 40 mm ball pressed against the buckle release button. No belt buckle should release when such a ball is pressed against it. The Center urged NHTSA to adopt a standard that uses the smaller 30 mm ball because it is a more rigorous test. In the late 1970's, NHTSA considered requiring a inadvertent release test but dropped it when US auto companies complained it was too burdensome. Some European companies advocated a 40 mm ball test which was required in Europe at the time. (The Center For Auto Safety). Of particular concern is the use of the Gen3 buckles in their close proximity to a child carrier, child seat, safety seat or child's carseat. Due to the height and shape of the Gen3 button, it may come into contact with the frame or side of the infant carrier or child's carseat. Such inadvertent contact or pressure can depress button and releasing the secured load. When this occurs the child and seat become flying objects in a collision, resulting in many unnecessary injuries and deaths to those that are the most helpless and fragile.

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

2002

"In addition, some of the 1993 model year vehicles of Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country Van, and Plymouth Voyager Minivan used the Gen-3 Buckle, but DaimlerChrysler cannot determine which of these 1993 vehicles use the Gen-3 Buckle without a visual inspection.… While we believe that the list of vehicles is accurate, we reserve the right to correct any errors or otherwise amend the list if further investigation shows an error or omission."

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident or rollover in which you believe that the seat belt may have inadvertently release either during the collision or prior to the collision or rollover due to a defective and/or dangerous seat belt buckle design, then you may have the right to file a legal action for the injuries or losses that you or your loved one has suffered. The Willis Law Firm has represented dozens of seriously injured victims of defective seat belts, roof crush and rollovers cases over the past two decades. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Call Toll Free 1-800-883-9858 or fill out this Free Seat Belt Lawsuit Evaluation Form

PLEASE NOTE: The statements and information provided on this web site are for the informational purposes only. This law firm is not affiliated in any way with any trademark owner. The use of any trademarks on this site is for product identification and information purposes only. This webpage is provided to you to assist in information about seat belt injuries, seatbelt deaths, seat belt defects, rear seat or center seat lap only belt injury, lawsuits, seat belt buckle failure, buckle opening, NHTSA recall, torn webbing, seat belt recalls, seatbelt retractors, plastic buckle housing defects, problems with the tall end release buttons on the Generation 3 or Gen 3 seat belt buckle button on some Chrysler vehicles, lap belt injury, excessive slack in belt webbing, automatic belt injuries,and other seat belt defects and failures.This site is not intended to provide legal advice to the reader and NO attorney-client relationship shall be deemed to arise from the receipt this page and/or its associated pages or any oral or e-mail communication to or from with the Willis Law Firm. There will be NO lawsuits filed, claims made, letters or phone calls made for a prospective client, until that person is represented by the firm. An attorney client relationship only arises after the attorney and client have signed a written attorney client contract.

Mr. Willis is licensed attorney in New York and Texas. He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Read more about Board Certification, Click Here. Principle office is Houston, Texas.

Mr. Willis has represented clients in personal injury, auto accident, seat belt defects, suv rollover, van & truck rollovers and other product liability and negligence cases from across the United States, including clients from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin & West Virginia.

Further, any statement or reference to past personal injury, products liability or other lawsuits, settlements or verdicts should NOT be relied upon in one's own case or in your decision on which law firm to hire. All client's cases, facts, injuries, damages, venues and lawsuits are different and there is NO way to predict the outcome of a particular case, verdict of a jury or judge or the strength of a case before a judge, jury or the appellate court system. The client is responsible for all of their own medical expenses. All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. NO attorneys fees or case costs charged to client, unless a recovery is made for the client. Often in very serious and catastrophic injury and death cases Mr. Willis may associate with another products liability attorney as co-counsel and in other matters, the case may be referred. In cases where a legal matter is referred, Mr. Willis will continue to maintain joint responsibility with the handling attorney or lead counsel and actively monitor the progress and development of the case. Due to his 22+ years of experience in personal injury and products liability cases, Mr. Willis will often continue to assist in working with the hired experts and engineers and in research of the defective product or other related legal matters in the case.