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GM recalls 322,409 Chevy Impalas because the Seatbelts may Not Work in a Crash

By Paul Napoli

October 15, 2010

General Motors Corp. announced today that the company is recalling 322,409 model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala passenger vehicles because the seat belt could fail to restrain the occupant in a crash situation due to improper anchoring.

In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), General Motors reported that an assembly error led to the improper securing of the front safety belt webbing to the lap belt anchor pretensioner mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door.

'Vehicles with this condition may have an anchor that can separate in a crash, and therefore may not meet the anchor strength requirements of the U.S. and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that covers seat belt assembly anchorages,' General Motors said in a news release.

The company discovered the defective seat belts after investigating incidences of seat belt separation during warranty repairs. By June 2009, GM had received nine reports of the defect and as of August 2010 there were 32 more reports of seat belt anchors either twisted or partially installed and separated.

'There are no reports of injuries or fatalities where the belts were reported to have the condition,' GM's letter to the NHTSA said.

Under the recall, GM dealers will inspect and the seat belts for proper installation and reinstall them if necessary free of charge. Owners can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or visit the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on October 15, 2010 (boomark / email).