Investigation PE98029: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

May 13, 1998

Closed

Sep 4, 1998

Model years

—

Subject

Occupant harness buckle failure

Component: Equipment

Summary

Odi opened pe98-029 based on two reports indicating the buckle of the occupant harness broke and came apart.odi was able to recover and inspect both of the broken harness buckles.the inspection revealed the buckle housings experienced cracks along a seam where the buckle housing is joined together.furthermore, odi's inspection of a new buckle reveals thatinadvertent buckle release may also occur in use without fracture.in it's response of july 31, 1998 to odi's information request century provided information concerning 92 additional reports of broken buckles.century also provided information concernig seven reports of buckle releasing.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.