WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR. OUR MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT IT IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PARTS INVOLVED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. HE HAS TOLD US TO SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE HE CAN GIVE US …
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE PAST YEAR. OUR MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT IT IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PARTS INVOLVED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. HE HAS TOLD US TO SELL THE CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE HE CAN GIVE US A "WRITTEN GAURANTEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WE HAVE SPENT AROUND $900.00 SO FAR ON THIS PROBLEM, AND THE ESTIMATE TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN IS $1400.00. OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR COST.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
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