GM Recalling Nearly 200,000 Small Trucks
General Motors has issued a recall for certain configurations of its latest small pickup truck. This concerns any Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, or Isuzu i-Series pickups in regular cab and extended cab (without rear seat) configurations that are also equipped with 60/40 split bench seat. Although this may seem like a very specific kind of vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists the potential vehicles affected at 192,676.
The recall is for an issue with placing a child safety seat in the middle of the truck's front bench seat. The top tether anchor for the safety seat is not accessible according to current U.S. regulation. This may cause an improper installation of a child's safety seat. The remedy is to cut a hole in the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top anchor. GM will fix all affected vehicles free of charge.
The full list of affected vehicles include all Colorados and Canyons built between 2004 and now, as well as i-Series pickups built between 2006 and 2008. Because the recall list includes new vehicles, consumes who look to purchase a single cab Colorado or Canyon and have small children should look to make sure this issue is resolved before purchase.
The NHTSA does not actually condone placing a child seat in the front seat of a vehicle. The proximity to front airbags can be a safety concern to small children in child car seats. But considering the affected trucks do not have a rear seating arrangement, the NHTSA is trying to ensure the available seating is secure. General Motors also discourages child seats up front. In cases of the single cab trucks It suggests placing the child seat in the right side passenger seat where all safety seat tether anchors are already accessible. Another benefit of the passenger side seat not suggested by GM is that it contains a sensor that should deactivate the passenger airbag when a child seat is in use.