— A Jeep Wrangler right-hand-drive recall has been announced for nearly 11,500 SUVs because the driver-side seat belt buckle mounting straps may break and separate from the seat frames.
The 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler seat belts won't protect drivers if the mounting straps break and separate from the frames.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into 2015-2016 Wranglers in August following complaints about inboard seat belt buckle strap separations.
The right-hand-drive Wranglers are typically used by mail carriers, and it was in March when NHTSA contacted Chrysler after receiving a report about a 2015 right-hand-drive Wrangler used for a rural mail route.
FCA conducted tests on the failed seat belt buckle strap and found a fatigue failure near the strap mounting hole. The government contacted FCA about another complaint, this one about a 2016 Wrangler used for mail delivery, then in July another complaint arrived about a 2016 right-hand-drive Wrangler.
As of September, at least 17 warranty claims were filed, but the automaker isn't aware of any injuries or crashes related to the seat belt buckle problem.
While the NHTSA investigation focused on 2015-2016 Wranglers, Chrysler's internal investigation determined 2011-2018 Jeeps were affected, with all the SUVs built between October 13, 2010, and March 27, 2018.
The right-hand-drive Jeep Wrangler recall is expected to begin November 15, 2019. Jeep dealers will replace the driver's side seat belt buckles, but concerned customers may call Chrysler at 800-853-1403.
FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Read complaints sent to CarComplaints.com about Jeep Wranglers - 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018