General Motors is issuing a safety recall for more than 624,000 Chevy and GMC pickup trucks and SUVs with front bench seats for potential seatbelt defects. According to Consumer Reports, the recall includes vehicles from the 2019 through 2021 model years because the front center seatbelt may not be properly attached to the seat. As a result, the seatbelt may not provide adequate protection to front-center passengers in a crash. This could cause serious injuries or even fatalities.
Details of the Recall
The automaker says so far it is not aware of any car accidents or injuries related to this recall. Only trucks and SUVs with front bench seats are affected. Vehicles with only two front seats are not included in the recall. The automaker said in a statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that during the vehicle assembly process, GM employees noticed that the seat supplier had not properly attached the front-center seatbelt to the seat frame.
After further investigation, GM found that the same problem might affect other vehicles. The automaker will contact vehicle owners via snail mail starting February 2021. When the recall begins, GMC and Chevrolet dealerships will inspect and reattach the seatbelt if necessary, at no cost. Those with questions may contact GMC at 800-462-8782.
The Danger of Seatbelt Defects
Seatbelt defects have the potential to cause catastrophic or lethal injuries. Some of the most common injuries caused by seatbelt failure include head and neck injuries, chest injuries and injuries to the arms and legs. Some of these injuries could also result in disabilities. If a seatbelt fails during a head-on collision, the occupant could be thrown into the windshield. If a seatbelt fails during a rollover crash, the occupant could be ejected from the vehicle and suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Some of the most common causes of seatbelt failure include the use of defective material, poor design and errors during manufacturing or assembly. After an accident, a defective seatbelt may become damaged or torn. Vehicle occupants may be partially or fully ejected even though they were buckled up at the time. For this reason, it is important to investigate the performance of seatbelts after an auto accident thoroughly.
If you suspect a defective seatbelt or seatbelt failure caused your or your loved one’s injuries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced seatbelt defect lawyer who will be able to utilize expert analysis to establish the facts in your case and hold the at-fault manufacturers fully accountable for their negligence.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/chevrolet-gmc-recall-pickups-suvs-for-faulty-seat-belts/
