GM Recalls 108,000 Chevrolet Malibus
DETROIT (Reuters)
- General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - News) said on Monday it has recalled
108,000 of its 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sedans to reprogram an anti-lock
brake system and fix a seat belt anchor that could detach.
GM, which has
been hit by a high number of recalls this year, said 95,000 of the
recalled vehicles are in the United States, about 8,300 are in Canada
and the rest are elsewhere.
During a side-impact
crash test conducted by U.S. authorities earlier this year, the
end of the driver-side seat belt detached. GM determined that a
retainer inserted near the seat belt anchor will help protect the
belt from detaching in the event of a severe side impact. There
have been no reports of incidents or injuries related to the seat
belt detaching, GM said.
While fixing
the seat belt, GM will also reprogram the anti-lock braking system
in about 73,000 of these vehicles. While conducting tests on the
Malibus in February, GM noticed that the stopping distance increased
during braking during low speeds of about 3 miles per hour (5 km
per hour).
"It doesn't
occur at a faster speed, just this extremely low speed," GM
spokesman Jim Schell said. "We think it's a rare occurrence."
GM said that
one customer also noticed the problem, caused by an erratic rear-wheel
speed sensor signal which could trigger the anti-lock brakes.
GM will delay
notifying consumers about the recall until June while it validates
the repairs for the vehicle, Schell said.
Despite surveys
showing improved quality and durability by Detroit automakers, GM
has been hit by a high number of recalls this year, including one
last month that covered more than 4 million full-size pickup trucks
to replace tailgate support cables.
The recalls
have done little to help GM lure back Americans who have frequently
turned to Japanese vehicles for their superior quality and durability.
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