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=92 second row seats. Affected models include the 2009 and 2010 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
=93According 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,=94 explains Autoblog. =93As 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.=94
In a statement by GM, Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of safety, said: =93Because 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.=94
USA Today reports: =93To repair the crossovers, GM dealerships will modify a plastic piece on the interiors that can damage the belt buckles=85 They will also repair any damaged seat belts.=94
Owners can expect the recall to begin by August 31. For more information, call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration=92s hot line at 888-327-4236.