Chrysler Loses Appeal - Ordered to Recall 91,000 Vehicles

Washinton, D.C. - Chrysler Corporation, will recall 91,000 Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus vehicles with potentially faulty rear seatbelt anchor bolts, after losing its appeal to block the government's recall order.

In a 2-1 decision, a U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled that Chrysler didn't comply with the strict standards for blocking a government recall, upholding a lower court's ruling last month.

In the more than 25 years that the goverment's seatbelt anchor standard has been in effect, Chrysler is the only company ever to refuse to recall their vehicles when so ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Although Chrylser argued that the government seatbelt test specifications and procedures are unclear and that the so-called faulty seatbelt anchors have not failed in any of the vehicles on the road today, the company agreed to comply with the recall order.

NHTSA testing in 1996 showed that a nut anchoring the rear seatbelt of a 1995 Chrysler Cirrus failed and pulled out of the flooring. The Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus both share the identical seatbelt anchoring system installed in those vehicles from June 30, 1994 to May 15, 1995.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail.

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