Some 303,100 U.S. motorists should expect a note in the mail from General Motors. At issue is a Chevy Impala seat belt recall that warns of possible front anchorage problems. What should the Impala owner do and what happens if he does nothing?
General Motors: Seat Belt Problem is Cause for Chevy Impala Recall
Safer Car, a site operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), warns owners of a Chevy Impala recall that affects roughly 303,100 American vehicles with a 2009-2010 model year. Consumers searching for detailed seat belt recall information should use NHTSA campaign ID number 10V480000.
The organization explains that an October 13, 2010 report gave rise to the seat belt recall. The problem associated with the safety belts is the lap belt anchorage of the front belt webbing. According to standard federal regulations, the anchor must be mounted to the side. Improperly anchored seat belts fail to safely restrain the car’s occupant during an emergency.
General Motors will notify Impala owners by mail if their vehicles are affected by the seat belt recall. It is interesting to note that – in addition to the 303,100 affected American car owners – the Press Telegram reports that another 19,000 motorists live in Canada. Quoting the Associated Press, the paper explains that the Chevy recall comes in response to 32 warranty reports but no claims of injury or death related to the seat belts.
I drive an Impala! What should I do?
On or after October 26, 2010, take your 2009-2010 model year Chevy Impala to the dealership. Mechanics aware of the seat belt recall will inspect the vehicle’s front safety belts to ensure that the anchoring is done according to federal safety standards.
If the mechanics find that the anchors are improperly mounted, they will reinstall them. This service is free of charge to Impala owners. Motorists who have more questions may contact Chevy’s customer service at 1-800-630-2438.
Ignore the General Motors Impala Recall at Your Own Risk!
Failure to heed the Chevy Impala seat belt recall places the car’s occupant at risk during a car crash. Even though the motorist is properly buckled in, she may still not be secured and therefore suffer injuries somewhat similar to drivers who do not wear seat belts at all.
While it is true that there have been numerous car-related recall alerts in recent months, consumers must take the Chevy Impala seat belt recall seriously and not delay getting the manufacturer recommended inspection.
Sources
Safer Car: “Safety Recalls”
NHTSA: “10V480000”
Press Telegram: “GM recalls 300k Impalas over seat belt problem”
