General Motors Recalls Crossovers

WASHINGTON -- General Motors Co. said today it is recalling 243,000 crossover vehicles over concerns their second-row safety belts could be defective. GM said the recall covers 243,403 vehicles -- the 2009-2010 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook -- "to inspect second-row safety belts for damage that in rare cases could make an occupant think the belt is properly latched when it isn't." Some vehicles may have a condition where the second-row seat side trim shield restricts the upward rotation of the seat belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat, GM said. "Because of the potential for a false-latch condition, we want customers to return their vehicles to have the recall repair performed as soon as possible," said Jeff Boyer, GM executive director of safety. Owners will begin receiving letters this month to schedule appointments with dealership service departments. Read more from The Detroit News.

Mzda Recall

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Mazda Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years because of faulty power-assist steering pumps and pipes. Mazda alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the recall on Thursday, Robert Davis, Mazda's senior vice president of product development and quality, told Automotive News. The recall comes after NHTSA opened an investigation in June into power steering failures in the Mazda3 from the 2007-2009 model years. NHTSA received 33 complaints of power-assist steering failures in Mazda3 vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years, and loss of steering control was reported as the cause of three crashes, according to NHTSA investigation documents. Vehicles that experience a power steering failure “will require more physical effort to steer, but at no time is the vehicle undrivable,” Mazda said on its Web site. It also posted a video explaining what drivers should do if the problem happens. Owners of the vehicles can go to dealerships to replace the power steering pump and pipes connecting it to the steering rack. Read more from Automotive News.

Are your Rearview Mirrors Adjusted Correctly