GM recalls 780,000 SUVs

General Motors Co. announced Friday it received 56 reports of injuries caused by malfunctioning rear power lift gates on its SUVs.

GM issued a recall of approximately 780,000 SUVs, according to a notice released July 8 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The notice says dirt buildup in gas struts, which hold the lift gates up when opened, may prematurely wear on affected vehicles. A rod system designed to close the hatch slowly in case of strut failure may also malfunction, causing the lift gate to fall and potentially injure users.

The recall covers Buick Enclave models manufactured from 2008 to 2012, Chevrolet Traverse models from 2009 to 2012, GMC Acadia models from 2007 to 2012 and Saturn Outlook models from 2007 to 2010.

GM said struts on SUVs built after March 1, 2012, are less vulnerable to dirt particles that may cause wear and failure of the lift gates. Dealers would replace faulty struts and update life gate control motor software to prevent rapid closure, although no schedule has been released for when the recall will begin.

Read more from The Associated Press.