— General Motors is recalling nearly 16,000 vehicles because using child seats could injure the children due to defective seat belt retractors.
Recalled are 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevy Volt and GMC Yukon XL vehicles.
GM says a child seat can be installed in the rear seats using the LATCH anchorage system or by using the seat belt. For installation of the child seat using the seat belt, there are automatic retractor assemblies equipped with retractors that lock automatically.
This should lock the seat belt when it is completely pulled out of the retractor. However, the defects can cause the retractor to not lock the seat belt when it is pulled out of the retractor.
A child will be in danger because an unlocked seat belt won't secure the second-row or third-row rear child seat.
Anyone using the system should be able to detect the problem when installing the child seat because the seat belt will fail to lock when it's pulled out of the retractor. General Motors also claims the emergency locking mechanism of the seat belt will still lock automatically in a crash.
The automaker blames the problem on the manufacturer of the retractor sensor cover that was made out of specifications. The first indication of a problem occurred in July 2018 when an assembly plant inspection discovered seat belt retractor issues in a 2018 Cadillac CT6.
The supplier determined a specific mold cavity wasn't the correct dimension and could interfere with the retrators. General Motors then inspected the rear seat belt retractors in 633 vehicles and found 93 retractors with problems.
GM doesn't know when the recall will begin, but dealers will replace any faulty rear seat belt retractors.
Cadillac owners may call 800-458-8006, Chevrolet drivers may call 800-222-1020 and GMC customers may call 800-462-8782.
GM's number for this recall is 18315.
CarComplaints.com has complaints about the Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevy Volt and GMC Yukon XL.