General Motors Recalling the Aveo

WASHINGTON August 20, 2004; The AP reported that General Motors Corp. is recalling 32,301 of its new Aveo cars because the rear seat belt can lock and become unusable, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.

All of the cars involved in the recall are from the 2004 model year.

NHTSA said the seat belts in the rear seats can become twisted. If that happens, the seat belt retractor may lock into position and the seat belt can't be used.

GM plans to start notifying owners about the recall next month. Under the recall, GM dealers will install a guide in the belt to keep it from twisting.

GM has had substantial problems with the Aveo since it went on sale last year. In February, the company ordered dealers not to sell the cars for a week after they were involved in five crashes that caused injuries.

GM found that the vehicles weren't to blame for the wrecks and let dealers begin selling them again.

General Motors: http://www.gm.com