NHTSA closes probe into GM recall of 1.3 million vehicles over seat belt issues

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Wednesday it has closed an engineering analysis into General Motors (NYSE:GM) prior recall of more than 1.3 million of its vehicles in the United States for seat belt issues.

NHTSA first opened a probe in 2019 into GM’s 2014 recall over the detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor

cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles and then upgraded it in 2020 to an engineering analysis.

The investigation covered model year 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs among other vehicles.

NHTSA cited GM’s decision in 2019 to expand special coverage to all recalled vehicles, which allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale in closing the probe without seeking a new recall.

NHTSA said “there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this investigation.” The agency also cited “the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence” in closing the probe.