> Back to the bailout boards?
>>
>> --------------------
>> "GM Recalls 243,000 Crossover SUVs
>>
>> By Nadeem Muaddi
>> US. News& World Report
>> Posted: Aug 18, 2010 10:53 a.m.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> General Motors has announced the recall of 243,000 crossover vehicles
>> due to faulty seatbelts in the vehicles? second row seats. Affected
>> models include the 2009 and 2010 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse,
>> GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
>>
>> ?According to GM, a second-row seat-side trim piece is to blame, as it
>> can impede the upward rotation of the buckle after the seat is folded
>> flat,? explains Autoblog. ?As a result, if the buckle makes contact
>> with the seat frame, cosmetic damage can occur, potentially requiring
>> additional force to operate the buckle properly. So far, no great
>> shakes, but in the process of applying that additional force, the
>> occupant may push the buckle cover down to the strap, potentially
>> revealing and depressing the red release button. As a result of this,
>> the belt may not latch, or in certain cases, it may actually appear to
>> be latched when, in fact, it isn't.?
>>
>> In a statement by GM, Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of safety,
>> said: ?Because of the potential for a false-latch condition, we want
>> customers to return their vehicles to have the recall repair performed
>> as soon as possible.?
>>
>> USA Today reports: ?To repair the crossovers, GM dealerships will
>> modify a plastic piece on the interiors that can damage the belt
>> buckles? They will also repair any damaged seat belts.?
>>
>> Owners can expect the recall to begin by August 31. For more
>> information, call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?s
>> hot line at 888-327-4236.
>>
>>
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Yup. But I guess you missed the other report today about 215,000 Mazdas
> being recalled for steering problems. Japanese quality at work!
And I would much rather have a "cosmetically damaged" seat belt in a Saturn than a Mazda that won't steer :-)