GM Recalls Buick SUV to Fix Liftgate

DETROIT June 9, 2003; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. said on Monday that it recalled about 107,000 of its Buick Rendezvous sport utility vehicles to repair the rear liftgate, which could open in a severe crash. The recall includes all 2002 Rendezvous models and some 2003 models, with 95,000 of the vehicles in the United States and about 12,000 in Canada.

GM said it is aware of one occupant who was injured in a crash when the liftgate tore away and opened. However, the Detroit automaker said it believed that the liftgate would very rarely open during a crash.

To fix the situation, GM said it will add a metal strap between the inner and outer panel of the liftgate at no cost to owners.