Chrysler Warns 2017-2018 Pacifica Owners To Avoid Certain Seating Layouts Over Seatbelt Recall

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling almost 48,000 units of the Chrysler Pacifica, from the 2017 and 2018 MYs, to realign seatbelt buckles.

The American firm says "that an outboard seatbelt buckle in the second row could become inadvertently unlatched, when the vehicle is subjected to extreme handling maneuvers", due to "the buckle's release button that contacted that of an adjacent occupant's buckle".

Despite the imminent concern that affects minivans equipped with the optional eight-passenger seating, FCA is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue. They will, however, contact owners "when service becomes available". Until then, they're advising customers "to avoid using the second-row center seat with the other second-row positions".

Subsequently, when parts become available and owners will schedule an appointment with an authorized Chrysler dealer, technicians will inspect the possibly faulty bits and do the necessary work, free of charge.

Besides the 47,927 units of the Chrysler Pacifica affected in the United States, the automaker estimates that an additional 1,908 are found in Canada.