Here we go again with another vehicle recall. This time it seems that certain Chevy Impalas may have a faulty front seat belt which may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash. The seat belt issue is an easy problem for General Motors (GM) to fix. The website set up by the company to provide consumers with more information regarding the Chevy Impala seat belt recall is decidedly not easy, leaving many owners fuming.
Why is the Chevy Impala Seat Belt Recall Being Issued?
The Associated Press is reporting that GM and federal regulators have announced that the automaker will recall in excess of 300,000 Chevy Impala sedans due to defective front seatbelts.
The seatbelts, which were threaded incorrectly and not properly secured to the pretensioner anchor, may disconnect from the car frame in the event of an accident possibly causing injury or death. The pretensioner is a metal ring that connects the seat belt to the car frame. The defect occurs on the side of the seat near the door. Although there have been 32 warranty complaints to date of Chevy Impala front seat belts separating, no injuries or deaths have been tied to the defective belts. However, the Impalas containing the defective seat belts do not meet U.S. motor vehicle standards and must be repaired.
The GM Response to the Chevy Impala Seat Belt Recall
Allen Adler, a GM spokesman, stated that the faulty seat belts are a simple issue that isn’t overly concerning to GM. “As recalls go, this is one of the simpler ones to handle. There’s no parts issues here at all. The solution is simple: GM technicians have to rethread the belts.”
Which Vehicles are Affected by the Chevy Impala Seat Belt Recall?
The affected autos are limited to 2009 and 2010 Chevy Impalas. The recalled Impalas came from an Ontario assembly plant and were manufactured between April 2008 to March 2010. Nearly two-thirds of the recalled vehicles were 2009 model year Impalas.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Vehicle Covered by the Recall
GM is expected to begin notifying owners affected by the Chevy Impala seat belt recall around October 25. Once owners receive their notice, they can take their Chevy Impala to their local GM dealership for repair. It is important that consumers who receive a recall notice from GM get their vehicle inspected. The defect may not be evident by simply looking at the seat belt. Owners will receive a reminder postcard from GM every three months for the next year-and-a-half if they fail to have their vehicle inspected. Adler assured owners that they can take proactive action however. “If they’re concerned, drivers can certainly come in now,” says Adler.
The Problems with the GM Consumer Website
Owners who do not want to wait for their official letter from GM can also get information online at the company website. It may not be worth the hassle though, as there have been reports that the website is far from user friendly. There is a lengthy process involved in just getting to the point of figuring out if your particular vehicle has been recalled. If you believe you have a vehicle covered by the Chevy Impala seat belt recall, an easier way to get a definitive answer may be to contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438. A third option is to go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website and use recall number N100312.
How Will My Chevy Impala Be Fixed?
Once owners bring their vehicles into a GM dealership, inspections will be conducted by qualified technicians on all front seatbelts. Any seatbelt not properly anchored will be rethreaded or replaced free of charge. It is important for owners to get their recalled vehicle inspected. Failure to do so could result in seat belt failure at the time when the seat belt is most needed, during an accident.
Sources
ABC News
Wall Street Journal
Christian Science Monitor
Family Car Guide
