I bought a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo in 2002 brand new. I now have 42,000 miles on the Jeep and the rear seat belt mechanism has broken. I have 3 grandchildren that I haul back there every weekend. I called skyland olds where I purchased the $30,000 vehicle, took it in for an estimate. The service advisor gave me a business card with "center seat belt $166.75 before tax". I then called him back today and asked him (john licka) to fax me a formal estimate and he did so which says $84 labor and $61.75 parts " for another total of $145.75 before taxes. I called the Jeep corporation and they offered to pay for the part and me pay for labor. I then spoke to Mr. Snyder who is the service manager and Mr. Sidespinner (general manager) who informed me that since I had 42,000 miles on the vehicle he could do nothing about it. This isn't a money issue. But he had the attitude that after 36,000 miles, ,oh well. They are putting the general public at risk but even moreso now, my grandchildren!!! Mr. Sidespinner had the mentality that so are brakes and other things on a vehicle a safety issue, but we as consumers are responsible for maintaining these other items. Is it to the point now that when we have our 36,000 mile maintenance done, we should have all our seat belts replaced too" Mr. Licka did inform Jeep Chrysler Corp. That is was not abused or caused by me. Please let me know your thoughts on this. Do we wait for many people or children to die before we get a recall????" and they are actually trying to dictate to me where I have my Jeep fixed. I asked the Jeep representative (bob at 1-800-9921997 with reference # 15002480) how many of these problems they had to have before having a recall and (shrug) he had no idea!!!!! I purchased the vehicle at skyland olds. At 255 smokey park hwy. In asheville N.C. 28816, phone 828-667-5213. I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top to the general mgr. And they act as if it's no big deal.

- Swannanoa, NC, USA