GM Recalls 2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro Over Adjustable Seat Troubles

General Motors has issued yet another recall for the Chevrolet Camaro, this time recalling 2011 and 2012 models with the power adjustable front seats over a concern that the height setting feature could fail and allow the seat to move up and down freely – a problem which impacts more than just the Camaro.

While the Chevrolet Camaro was the big talk a few weeks back when General Motors announced a recall of every 5th gen model made from 2010 through the current models, the newest recall for the sleek muscle car is far more serious. Although the switchblade key fob recall can pose some risk it is minimal at best and a careful driver can remove any chance of running into a problem with their Camaro. However, this newest recall announced on July 23rd could be far more dangerous as the adjustable seat mechanism could fail, leaving the seat to move up and down as you hit bumps.

The Adjustable Seat Recall Explained
The newest batch of recalls includes notices for over 717,000 vehicles, but “only” 414,333 of them are affected by the same recall as the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro. Along with the Camaro this recall reaches the 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2010-2012 GMC Terrain, the 2011-2012 Buick Regal, the 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse and the 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX. General Motors hasn’t offered specific breakdowns by model or by model year, but we know that those vehicles listed above, when fitted with the optional power adjustable seats, could have a bolt within the adjustable height assembly that could loosen and fall off of the assembly without any notice. When that bolt fails, the adjustable height aspect of the driver and front passenger seat is no longer under the control of the button, meaning that it can move up and down on its own.

Doesn’t sound like much of a problem? Imagine that your 5’1” wife is cruising along the highway at 75 miles per hour in your 2012 Camaro SS. Being that short, she would likely have the seat height jacked way up so that she has the best view of the road possible…when suddenly the driver’s seat slams down into its lowest position. Not only is she distracted by the sudden motion, but she is now unable to see the road and other vehicles around here as clearly as she would like. While still moving along in highway traffic, she frantically tries to raise the seat back up – but it is no use.

That is an extreme example, but it illustrates why GM needed to recall these vehicles to make sure that the height adjusting bolt is properly tightened. It should be noted that there has been one crash and three injuries as a result of this problem, but the automaker didn’t specify which vehicle was involved in that crash.

These Vehicles are Safe to Drive – Just Don’t Adjust the Seat Height
General Motors has pointed out that this problem does not make the vehicles on the recall list unsafe to drive, but owners should avoid adjusting the height of the front seats until the internal workings of the seat have been inspected to ensure that the bolt is tight. In other words, if you are the only person who drives your 2011-2012 Camaro and you never play with the seat height adjustment, it is far less likely that you will run into any issues so you can keep on driving your GM muscle car without much concern – but once the recall letter hits your mailbox, I would make sure to get the problem addressed quickly just in case.

Fortunately, this recall has a very cut and dry problem – with a similarly simple fix. Whether you have a Camaro, a Regal, a LaCrosse or any of the three SUVs on the recall list, the repair for this recall is as simple as the technician checking the height adjustment bolt and, if necessary, replacing it with a new bolt that wont loosen up.