NHTSA Complaint #10030833 — 2003 GMC ENVOY

WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 GMC ENVOY WITH A THIRD ROW OF SEATS. IN THE MANUAL IT INDICATES THAT THERE ARE SEAT BELT ADJUSTERS ON THE BACK OF THE SEATS TO SHORTEN THE HEIGHT AT WHICH THE SEATBELT COMES ACROSS THE PASSENGER. THESE ADJUSTERS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN OUR CAR. WE NOTICED THIS ISSUE WHEN A CHILD SAT IN THE BACK SEAT (ONE OF THE REASONS FOR PURCHASING A 7 PASSENGER VEHICLE) AND THE SEATBELT CAME ACROSS THEIR FACE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT WE WERE CORRECT THE ADJUSTERS WERE NOT INSTALLED (A MANUFACTURER'S DEFAULT), BUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO INSTALL THEM AT THIS POINT. WE NOW HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR THAT WE CANNOT USE FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WE STRONGLY CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I KNOW OF A COUPLE OF OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF I CHILD (OR EVEN AN ADULT) WERE TO SIT IN THOSE SEATS WITHOUT ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAT BELT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.*AK