Seat belts are supposed to save your life…not set your truck on fire.

General Motors is recalling 640 thousand pickups worldwide for that very reason.  Some of GM’s late model trucks use a high tech seat belt system. In the event of a crash, the system senses the impact and literally sets off a small explosion to move a piston which tightens the seat belts.

But there’s an opening in the seat belt bracket and the hot gas can escape and set the truck carpet on fire.  The automaker knows of two such fires so far.

Models affected include late model Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierras. All have carpet as a floor covering and most were sold in North America.

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