GM Truck Recall 2019: 640,000 Pickups Recalled Over Seat Belts That Cause Fire

General Motors will recall more than half a million pickup trucks worldwide because of fire risk from seat belts on the carpeted floor.

The move follows concerns that seat belt pre-tensioners that tighten belts amid a collision would trigger a fire. It happens when hot gases emitted by pre-tensioners surge through a hole in the seat belt bracket and induce fire on the carpet’s cotton material.

According to CBS News, GM dealers will close the opening and owners will not incur any cost.

The recall will cover 640,000 vehicles and include Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. Reports said some 2020 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups are also involved. However, models with vinyl flooring are not on the recall list.

The bulk of these vehicles are in North America, per the Market Watch report. The company had received reports of two fires there no injuries happened.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a driver may see smoke emanating followed by burning smell after a collision and fire will appear.

GM electric truck coming in 2021

Meanwhile, GM CEO Mary Barra said on Thursday that the company’s first electric truck will go on sale in the fall of 2021.

“General Motors understands truck buyers and… people who are new coming into the truck market,” Barra said during an investor conference in New York.

The news coincided with Tesla's event for unveiling its electric truck named Cybertruck in Hawthorne and aims sale from 2021.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in October that the Tesla pickup will be “closer to an armored personnel carrier from the future.”

News about GM’s foray into electric trucks had appeared in the trade press saying GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant is bracing to produce an electric pickup after a deal with the auto workers union UAW.

Rising competition in the trucks market

According to a CNBC report, pickup trucks are considered a profitable vehicle segment. The niche's U.S. market is dominated by GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler.

Lordstown Motors also announced that it is accepting pre-orders for its electric pickup truck named Endurance. The booking price is $52,500. The startup said the truck will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2020 and it will focus on corporate fleets although Endurance will be available for consumer buyers as well.

Other automakers joining the electric trucks marketplace in the next few years will be newcomer Rivian and Ford.