Recall 05V061000: Seat Release Latch Lever Defect

MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:

Chevrolet/Uplander 2005

Pontiac/Montana 2005

Saturn/Relay 2005

MANUFACTURER: General Motors Corp.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V061000 RECALL DATE: Feb. 16, 2005

COMPONENT: Seats: Mid/Rear Assembly

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 18850

SUMMARY:
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by GM, under conditions similar to NHTSA'S New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Side Impact Test.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.

REMEDY:
Dealers will replace the seat latch release lever with a revised designed lever. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owners notification schedule. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

NOTES:
GM recall No. 05015. Customers can also contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.