GM recalling nearly 100,000 new crossovers due to seatbelt buckle fractures

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 Chevrolet Equinox – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has issued a recall on its Theta crossover triplets, the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX over safety belt buckle anchors that may fracture and separate in the event of a crash. A total of 97,843 vehicles are affected, all from the 2011 model year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an official statement, saying that a fractured seatbelt buckle may not properly restrain the vehicle’s occupants during an accident, thus increasing the risk of injuries sustained during a crash. In all three of the affected crossovers, both the driver and front passenger seatbelts are apparently subject to this sort of breaking.

GM will begin notifying owners in the next few weeks, as the recall is expected to ramp up on or before January 18, 2011. Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC dealerships will modify one or both of the safety belt anchors as necessary, and of course, all maintenance will be performed free of charge. NHTSA’s official release is available after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Equinox