NHTSA complaint: 2013 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY — SEATS
WE RENTED THE CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN TO TRANSPORT OUR FAMILY WHILE ON VACATION. A COUPLE OF DAYS INTO OUR VACATION, I PLACED MY RIGHT HAND AT THE TOP OF THE CAPTAIN SEAT IN THE MIDDLE ROW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. I THEN USED MY LEFT HAND TO TRIGGER THE LEVER ON THE SEAT TO LEAN IT FORWARD SO ONE OF MY CHILDREN COULD GET OUT OF THE BACKSEAT MORE EASILY. THE HEADREST SNAPPED DOWN HITTING BOTH MY RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER AND MY RIGHT RING FINGER. THE POST OF THE HEAD REST BRUISED MY MIDDLE FINGER FROM THE TIP OF MY FINGER TO THE MIDDLE KNUCKLE. MY RING FINGER WAS PINCHED IN THE SLIT ON THE TOP OF THE SEAT WHERE THE POST ON THE HEADREST GOES WHEN THE SEAT FOLDS UP. WHEN MY FINGER WAS CRUSHED IN THE SLIT ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT, THE PAD OF MY RIGHT RING FINGER WAS CUT IN A SEMI-CIRCULAR SHAPE AND THE SKIN WAS PEELED BACK FROM THE FLESH. THE INJURY ON MY FINGER REQUIRED A TRIP TO URGENT CARE AND 4 STITCHES. IT TOOK ABOUT ONE AND A HALF MONTHS FOR THE INJURY TO HEAL. NOW, THE TIP OF MY FINGER IS SCAR TISSUE, WITH NO FEELING EXCEPT UNDERNEATH THE SCAR TISSUE WHERE THERE ARE STILL NERVES. I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO USE THE FINGER FOR TYPING OR OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE PRESSURE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE SEATS. THERE IS ONLY ONE LEVER ON THE SEAT TO PROVIDE FOR LEANING IT FORWARD, BACKWARD OR FOLDING IT COMPLETELY SO IT MAY BE STOWED. THE SPEED WITH WHICH THE SEAT FOLDS MAKES IT DANGEROUS. AS A RESULT, THERE SHOU
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation