| Issue ID | 725982 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10272544 |
| Manufacurer | CHRYSLER LLC |
| Brand | DODGE |
| Model | GRAND CARAVAN |
| Model Year | 2008 |
| File date | 01/05/09 |
| Component | SEATS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | I recently purchased a 2008 dodge caravan and discovered that i couldn't get all the car seats in. We called several friends to see what they do, and they say that they gave up after getting bloody knuckles trying to put the seats in and now don't use one. The car manufacturers claim that because there are 7 seat-belts that it is a seven passenger vehicle. This leads to parents getting frustrated because they can't fit the car seats, so they let their child go without. The back seat has 3 seat belts but it is impractical to get 3 car seats, or booster seats in. There is a gap in what the safety guidelines require and what the manufacturers are selling. This leads to parents giving up and children suffering the consequences. I am a fireman and experience won't let me give in to letting my children travel unsafely. Surely, the manufacturers can add 4-5 inches of hip room, allowing 3 child seats to fit where there are 3 seat belts. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | COVINGTON, GA |
| VIN pattern | 1D8HN44H98BXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |