General Motors is recalling 700,000 SUVs in the US over a potentially fatal defect that prevents child car seats from being securely buckled
General Motors is recalling nearly 700,000 SUVs in the US over a potentially fatal defect that poses a danger to children.
The American automaker found that the rear seat lower anchor rods were excessively covered in powder, preventing proper car seat buckling.
Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle’s rear seat belts until the remedial action is complete. GM said no problems had been reported.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 454,722 Chevrolet Equinox models and 213,465 GMC Terrain models are affected, all within the 2020-2023 model years.
The recall affects certain 2020 through 2023 Chevrolet Equinox (pictured) and GMC Terrain SUVs
In 1999, NHTS issued a child restraint system safety standard that “requires all new passenger vehicles to have child restraint systems that meet certain strength, configuration, labeling and other requirements,” according to the agency’s website.
The NHTS is called Standard No. 225 and stipulates that anchorage systems for child restraint systems must provide at least a minimum level of security.
GM’s supplier Amvian Mexico did not monitor the variation in the powder coating applied to the anchors, Jalopnik reports.
The error resulted in bars of 6.34 and 6.41 millimeters, while the norm stipulates no more than six millimeters.
While the recall was posted on NHTS’ website, GM did so voluntarily after discovering the faulty latches.
The American automaker is said to have issued the warning to dealers as early as May 11, but plans to notify certain owners on June 26 – those who have not returned their vehicles.
This recall comes just days after news that a Tennessee manufacturer of airbag components has refused to recall 67 million devices that could explode in an accident and hurl shrapnel at motorists.
The problem is due to excessive powder covering the rear seat lower anchor bars and could prevent a car seat from being buckled properly
The defective airbags are installed in various GM cars that have resulted in two deaths and seven injuries in the United States and Canada, according to NHTSA.
ARC Automotive in Knoxville could now be heading for a lawsuit with US auto safety agencies after refusing to request the recall of the potentially dangerous airbag inflators.
The recall would cover a large portion of the 284 million vehicles currently on the road, but the percentage is difficult to pin down. Some have driver and passenger ARC inflators.
According to the company, the 67 million airbag inflators that NHTSA wants to recall were all manufactured in the 18 years prior to January 2018, when ARC installed inflator inspection equipment.