Holden recalls Cruze over seatbelt anchor

HOLDEN has recalled more than 4000 Korean-built Cruze small cars to check a rear seatbelt anchor bolt that might be missing a nut.

The company said the nut secures the lower end of the seat belt anchor and buckle assemblies between the seats in the driver-side and centre rear seat positions, and, if absent, would leave passengers improperly restrained.

GM Holden director external affairs Emily Perry told GoAuto the problem had been discovered in GM’s quality control checks and that no reports of seatbelt issues had been received from customers.

She said the recall involved a total of 4380 Series I Holden JG Cruzes produced in South Korea between November 15, 2010 and January 12, 2011, with all 4236 cars in Australia and 144 in New Zealand in customer hands.

“We are asking customers to take their cars back to their dealer for a check that takes about 30 seconds just to make sure the seatbelt nut is in place,” she said.

“We are suggesting to customers that they do not use those rear seats until the check has been done.”

Holden Cruze rear seat.

Ms Perry said no Holden Cruzes were affected by a recall announced in North America, where 154,000 Chevrolet Cruzes made at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, factory were being sent back the dealers to check steering shafts and transmission shift linkages.

The Holden recall affects the last batch of Cruze sedans to arrive from South Korea, ahead of the local production start up of Cruze sedan at Holden’s Adelaide plant.

The recall covers the vehicle identification number (VIN) range from KL3J#69#JAK764180 to KL3J#69#JAK771326.

A letter is going out to all owners of affected vehicles, asking them to make an appointment with their dealer to have the car checked.

Owners with queries can also call Holden’s recall customer service number on 1800 632-826.