Chrysler Pacifica seat belt glitch sparks a recall

DETROIT - If you drive your Chrysler minivan too fast and too furious, one of the second-row seat belts might unbuckle.

So Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) is recalling almost 50,000 Pacifica vans in the U.S. and Canada from the 2017 and 2018 model years, all with an eight-passenger seating option.

The automaker said during sporting driving, the center buckle in the second row could hit the release button on the left buckle and cause it to unlatch.

The company said it doesn't know of any crashes or injuries from the problem.

It said in documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle in a recall that's expected to begin on Oct. 20.

Until repairs are made, Fiat Chrysler is advising owners not to use the second-row center seat if other passengers are in that row.

The problem was discovered by Fiat Chrysler engineers who specialize in interior safety restraints, the documents say.