I had a rear end collision in my Acura 3.2 TL. I had been traveling at a speed of 20-25 mph and had my foot on the brake as I was preparing to make a right hand turn within 400 feet. When my vehicle failed to stop and hit the car in front of me, the air bags exploded but the driver side seat belt went slack and didn't restrain me. Upon exiting the car, their was a pool of belt about 5 feet in length that had come out of the seat belt holder upon impact. Once I saw that, I questioned the duluth police officer about the amount of seat belt hanging out my door. He asked me to pull back the shirt I was wearing to check my neck for marks that the seat belt would have left had it held me in place. I had no marks on my neck to indicate that the seat belt in anyway restrained me. Upon impact I went forward and into the air bag. My car was towed to taylor's collision center in duluth, Georgia and the next day I was asked by the owner if I knew that my seat belts had not engaged during the accident. I said I realized it and had not marks from being restrained. I have called Acura/american Honda at their client services location in California but have been unable to have a resolution from them. I was told by one representative that it is "normal and common" for their seat belts to go slack in an accident and not restrain; that's why I have airbags. I don't think that is correct. Acura would like to take the seatbelt from me for inspection. I would prefer someone independent of Acura, either the ntsb or an independent lab that you suggest test these for engagement. I realize that I have a 2002 and one of the first on the street. Could you please look into this matter and advise me to the course of action? my twin sister drives the same car and we would like to know that the seatbelts work properly. The body shop told me I was lucky to have airbags; based on the impact I would have been hurt since the seatbelt didn't hold me back.

- Suwanee, GA, USA