Child Seat Tether Strap problems of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

With the car parked and engine turned off, I was unable to remove my child from the integrated child safety seat of my Dodge Grand Caravan. The straps are supposed to pull forward freely, which then loosens them enabling the straps to slip over the childs head. After several tries, I was unable to pull the straps forward at all. I then managed to unclip the clips which are located on the bottom sides of the seat and then just barely slip the strap and yoke over her head to free her from the seat. I contacted the local dealership and the Chrysler corporation about this matter. I was told by both parties that since my vehicle was over the 3 yr. /36,000 mile warranty that neither would help to assist in the repair. I was also told that it would cost somewhere around $700. 00 making it a very costly repair!!! I hate to think of what might happen if I were really in a car accident and had to get my child out of the seat quickly, only to find out that the belt seized or froze up like it did unabling me to get my child out of the vehicle!!.

Had placed child is in built-in css, heard the mechanism making a clicking sound; harness straps tightened up when trying to get child out of seat; would have to cut straps to release child. (investigation #ea 97 003).

When using this booster seat in my van, when my child leans forward, the seatbelt, when put throught the seat belt guides on the booster seat, becomes loose and slack. When my child sits back the seat belt gets caught up on the seat belt guide, and the seat belt just hangs loose- this would definately be a problem in a crash. I'm sure the manufacturer is aware of this because consumer reports magazine just did an article about car seats, and this issue was brought up. I am going to be contacting the manufacturer myself- but your help would be appreciated. Thank you.