GM recalls nearly 250,000 vehicles over seat belt problem

General Motors has issued a recall of nearly a quarter of a million vehicles globally to inspect the vehicles' seat belts.

The Detroit giant said August 17 that it was voluntarily recalling 2009-2010 models of the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook "to inspect second-row safety belts for damage that in rare cases could make an occupant think the belt is properly latched when it isn’t."

There are 243,403 vehicles involved in the recall, with the majority in the United States but several thousand vehicles in Canada, Mexico, China and Saudi Arabia also affected.

GM says that the problem can occur in the second row of vehicles after seats are returned to an upright position, potentially damaging the buckle and causing the buckle cover to be pushed down the strap.

This could result in the red release button being partially depressed and the buckle being unable to latch or, in rare instances, making a passenger think the buckle is latched when it isn't.

“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,” said Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of safety.

http://www.gm.com