MoneyConsumerDont Waste Your Money

Actions

General Motors is recalling more than 640,000 pickups because their seat belts can cause fires

Posted at 11:58 AM, Nov 22, 2019
and last updated 2023-02-10 19:18:49-05

If you own a newer model General Motors pickup truck, you’ll want to check your VIN number.

GM is recalling more than 640,000 Chevrolet and GMC light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks after it was found that a part on the seatbelt could cause the vehicle’s carpeting to catch on fire.

The recall affects certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering.

A correction was put in place on the assembly line when the issue was noticed, which is why not every carpeted truck will be recalled.

Chevrolet

The issue is with the front seatbelt pretensioner, which helps tighten the seatbelts before a crash. When the pretensioner deploys, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet. (Vehicles built with vinyl floor covering are not included in the recall.)

The pretensioners will only deploy in the event of certain crashes, so the vehicle is not at risk for spontaneously catching on fire during normal use.

GM has reported two fires tied to the recall, but no injuries. The first fire was in July, and GM opened a product investigation in September.

Getty Images | Joshua Lott

Dealers have already been notified and GM will be notifying affected owners. Dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket free of charge. There is no date yet for when the recall will officially begin.

You can check your VIN for both the GM and GMC trucks at GM’s recall page.

If you have questions, you can contact Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 888-988-7267. GM’s number for this recall is N192270600.

You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit their website. The NHTSA’s campaign number for this recall is 19V-814.

Do you have a vehicle that may be included in this recall?

This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money. Checkout Don't Waste Your Money for product reviews and other great ideas to save and make money.