GM Recalls Cadillac SRX SUV and Buick Rendezvous SUV

DETROIT April 2, 2004; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. will recall its Cadillac SRX sport utility vehicle due to a problem with its braking system, and its Buick Rendezvous SUV to fix a faulty latch on the liftgate, a GM official said on Friday.

GM will recall 12,329 Cadillac SRXs equipped with all-wheel drive, including 11,375 in the United States, following two reports of a one-second delay in the anti-lock brakes activating to stop the vehicle, spokesman Jim Schell said.

The problem, due to a software anomaly, only occurs during the first few seconds of driving when the SUV is moving slowly, he said. One owner crashed his SRX into his garage wall following the brake delay, but was uninjured.

Affected owners will be notified within the next few months and told to bring their vehicles to a Cadillac dealership, where the software system will be reprogrammed at no charge, Schell said.

GM, which has had a rash of recalls lately, will also recall about 119,000 Buick Rendezvous's, including about 104,000 in the United States, to reinforce a nylon cable that keeps the rear liftgate in place in the event of a rear-end collision, Schell said.

During testing, GM discovered that the braided nylon webbing could tear in a crash, allowing the liftgate to possibly open, and unbelted occupants could be thrown from the vehicle.

GM will add an additional metal strap to reinforce the liftgate latch, Schell said.

GM began installing the nylon strap on the Rendezvous last year, beginning with the recall of 107,000 of the SUVs, following one report that the rear liftgate tore away in a severe crash, injuring one occupant.

GM will notify owners at a later date to take their vehicle to a dealership, where the metal strap will be installed at no charge, Schell said.