Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% | 88,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% | 23,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 2% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% | 43,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 0% | 99,000 miles |
| 2011 | 13 | 2% | 56,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 0% | 120,000 miles |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% | 53,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side seat belt became loosened. The contact pulled on the seat belt, which went across the chest, and the seat belt failed to lock and restrain as intended. The contact was able to pull and stretch the seat belt up to the steering wheel. The contact then pulled the lap belt, and the lap belt failed to lock securely as intended. The contact was able to pull and stretch the lap belt upwards. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the dealer; however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
The contact leased a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 mph, he made a right turn going across an intersection and collided with a 2012 Ford Focus. The brakes were applied, but the response was too slow. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was filled with smoke. The driver's side front door failed to open. The fire department was on the scene, but there were no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The air bag struck the driver in the chest. The contact sustained internal bruising, including bruising on her abdomen and on her arms. The driver was taken to the hospital, where medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer body shop, where it was discovered that the failure was due to the seat belts not engaging. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle behind the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle causing the vehicle behind the contact to rear-end the contact's vehicle, causing minor damages. The contact stated that the vehicle behind the contact had major damages. When the contact was rear-ended the seat belt on the driver's side did not retract at the point of impact, causing the contact to launch forward and struck a sun visor with his head. The contact had sought medical attention for neck pain and for headaches. The contact was unsure if anyone else was injured or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,365.
We were in a 9car pile up. Front and back and drivers side were hit and severely damaged. Airbags did not deploy. After the accident smoke was seen coming from the sides of the car where the seat belts come out of. Both front and back were white puffs of smoke from all four seatbelts. The front passenger seatbelt failed to tighten on impact as all the other seatbelts did. Passenger was thrown about the front area, hitting multiple parts of the body. Car is currently in a tow lot. Insurance is going to inspect it.
My son was just in his car seat with the seat belt as an extra layer of protection and the seat belt wouldn't retract. My son was stuck. Thank god it wasn't an accident. Passenger side back seat belt. This needs to be dealt with. It took me 30 mins because I was trying to get it to retract and it started to squeeze my baby legs. I did take a video. It only lets me upload photos. Please contact me
While driving and turning on a flashing yellow arrow, I was hit by a truck and upon impact, my seatbelt came unbuckled and my body was thrusted into the dash, my Left knee took the impact from next to the steering wheel and my thigh was slammed into the steering wheel.
The driver's side seat belt would only extend a few inches so I was not able to pull it across my body and latch it. Until this happened, there was no prior indication that the seat belt was about to fail. Fortunately, this happened at home so I was not stranded. Although the vehicle is a 2019 model year, it has barely been used and is in excellent, clean condition. I tried to free the mechanism myself, but was unable to do so. I ended up calling a mobile mechanic who also tried freeing up the mechanism and was unable to do so. The entire seat belt mechanism had to be replaced. I was very surprised that GM did not cover the cost of replacing this essential (and legally required) safety device, which I believe failed due to a manufacturing defect. …
When buckled, the part of the seat belt buckle where the LAP belt slides through the actual buckle part becomes binding and has to be manual pushed through the buckle in order to move your hips when seated. This issue has absolutely nothing to do with the shoulder part of the belt or the belt not retracting. It is solely an issue with the plastic buckle and the belt not sliding through it when seated. This is a safety issue because the lap belt becomes binding while seated. If the driver needs to shift in the seat, he must pull the shoulder belt out to create give in the belt and then use both hands to manually feed the belt through the buckle. This is unsafe when driving for obvious reasons if the driver is unable to use any hands on the steering wheel. …
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at…
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac srx, Chevrolet equinox and GMC terrain vehicles. The driver and /or front passenger safety belt buckle anchor May fracture and separate near the seat attachment in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the passenger and/or the driver safety belt buckles as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 18, 2011.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Equinox years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (13), 2006 (12), 2005 (9), 2008 (7) and 2013 (7) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Equinox seat belt problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-811 (critical fasteners, Dec 23, 2020); 10V-623 (buckle assembly, Dec 15, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Equinox seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear/other (2 mentions), followed by the front › retractor (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.