The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed a disturbing seat belt-related investigation after conducting a four-year investigation into approximately 1.3 million General Motors vehicles. That probe reviewed whether seat belt anchor cables on some sport utility vehicles manufactured by GM would detach in an accident, which could have exposed drivers and passengers to danger.
Although the issue gained some buzz among vehicle owners, the NHTSA has closed the investigation without forcing more recalls. So, what does that mean for GM and the owners of those cars? Let’s break it all down.
What Sparked the Investigation?
The investigation began in 2014 when GM recalled some of its SUV models following a discovery that flexible steel seat belt anchor cables may weaken over time, which was found on some of their front seats. Anchor cables are to be anchored with the vehicle and may not provide the proper protection once these fail.
Affected vehicles included the 2009-2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and the 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook. The recall checked the cables for wear and tear and replaced them when needed. However, even after the recall was in effect, a few vehicle owners reported to the NHTSA that their seat belt cables failed even after undergoing the recommended repairs.
Is the Fix by GM Effective?
GM’s original fix sounded simple enough: check the cables for damage, examine the component failure modes, and replace the malfunctioning parts. But as reports of further failures dribbled in, NHTSA’s ODI had to wonder if the solution GM offered was effective.
Interestingly, the ODI found that most seat belt cable failures occur in stationary vehicles. That means many drivers will realize they have the problem when they get into the vehicle and try to put on the seat belt. In most cases, the cables do not fail while the vehicle is in motion, reducing the chances of any accident directly related to the problem.
Besides, the data showed that the rate of failure was quite low, at 0.141 cases per thousand vehicles. Most of the problems seemed to affect the driver’s side cable, while far fewer complaints were regarding the seat belts on the front passenger’s side.
How Serious Was the Problem?
Although any issue related to seat belts is a red flag, on the same grounds, it should also be mentioned that no crashes, injuries, or fatalities were reported due to this problem. Indeed, this no-major occurrence ground helped NHTSA to close the investigation without further recalls or actions.
Of course, GM was quick to point out that customer safety will always come first. In response to the investigation closing, a spokesperson with GM said, “The safety of our customers is the highest priority for the entire GM team. GM supports NHTSA’s decision to close this investigation and will continue to work collaboratively with the agency.”
What’s the Big Picture Here?
What does it all mean for the owners of the GM vehicles? If you drive an SUV, as several of the affected models were, there’s a good likelihood that your seat belts are working fine. And that’s especially so if you had them checked or repaired during the original recall. That low failure rate, coupled with most of them happening when the vehicle wasn’t in motion, should be cause for comfort.
Of course, with that, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the recall notices and being mindful of changes in one’s vehicle’s performance. While this particular issue didn’t result in serious accidents, one would also have to take into account that little problems can sometimes cause bigger issues if left unchecked.
A Broader Look at Vehicle Safety
This investigation is just one example of how NHTSA works to ensure automakers prioritize safety. It also serves as a good reminder that there are rigorous processes for identifying potential problems with vehicles so they may be handled before they cause severe accidents.
The minor GM seat belt cable issue turned out to be a win for vehicle safety, as it showed that manufacturers and regulators are closely monitoring any possible signs of trouble.
The Aftermath and What Comes Next
Although the NHTSA has closed this specific investigation, this doesn’t mean the book on that story is completely shut. The agency still gets sporadic complaints about seat belt cable failures in GM vehicles, including models that were not covered under the initial recall. Rest assured, GM and the NHTSA will no doubt keep a watchful eye on this problem for any new developments and address them promptly.
If you happen to be driving any of the above vehicles, it is always better to be informed about such cases and to follow up with GM or your local dealer regarding your seat belts or any other component that bothers you.
As car technology develops, manufacturers like GM continue to look ahead toward improving safety features and depend on their customers’ observations to pinpoint and correct possible problems.
The action by NHTSA to close the probe into GM’s seat belt cables provides a sort of closure to the concern that has been hanging for years. Though some stir was caused when the initial reports came, it finally emerged that the overall impact was not much, as serious incidents or accidents were attributed to the issue.
For now, GM’s fix for the problem worked, and these vehicles are primarily safe for drivers and passengers alike. Still, it’s good to remember that vehicle safety is a never-ending battle and automakers, in concert with regulators, will do their best to make the cars on the road as safe as possible in the future.
