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WASHINGTON (AP) -- General Motors and Mazda said Thursday they are recalling as many as 436,000 sport utility vehicles because of seat belt defects and engine stalling.
General Motors Corp.'s recall could affect as many as 330,000 mid-size SUVs from 2001 and 2002 -- the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada -- because their seat belts fail to meet federal safety standards.
GM said the defect would not affect safety. The government's auto safety agency disagreed.
Mazda is recalling 106,000 Tribute SUVs from the 2001-03 model years that have 3-liter, V6 engines.
In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in May 2002, Mazda said the engine stalling did not present "an unreasonable risk to motor safety." At that time, Mazda said it had received 2,087 reports of stalling, including three in which accidents occurred.
The Tribute is similar to the Ford Escape, which was recalled earlier this week for the same defect. Ford said engine stalling in the Escape had caused eight minor accidents.
Mazda dealers will reprogram the Tribute for free as part of the recall.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
