Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% | 43,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 18 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2012 | 15 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 25 | 4% | 84,000 miles |
| 2009 | 17 | 4% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The Service Restraint System and Air Bag lights come on intermittently while driving my 2022 Chevrolet Traverse. According to the Stonebriar Chevrolet dealer in Frisco, TX, the airbags will not deploy if the vehicle is in accident while the light is on. The dealership said they believe there is a wire harness routed in the drivers seat that is pulled too tight and needs to be to rerouted, but they did not have the time to fix the issue that day.
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the contact rear-ended another vehicle. The driver's side front seat belt pre-tensioner was loose and did not restrain the contact in the seat upon impact. The air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact suffered bruising on her chest, a lacerated thumb, and a fractured elbow from the air bag deployment. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,500.
Vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Traverse VIN: [redacted] Mileage: 50,100 miles Ownership: Original owner The driver's seat belt intermittently fails to latch. This is a primary safety restraint system, federally required, and critical for occupant protection. The failure occurs randomly and cannot be reliably duplicated. The dealer inspected the seat belt buckle and confirmed no debris or obstruction. The dealer was unable to duplicate the issue during their inspection. Video documentation from the owner of the intermittent failure is available. This appears to be a premature mechanical failure of a safety-critical component. The vehicle is only 50,100 miles and properly maintained. Failure of the driver's seat belt could prevent proper restraint in an accident, creating a serious safety risk. There are no open recalls related to this issue, and the vehicle is out of warranty. …
I purchased a 2019 Chevy Traverse brand new off the lot as single owner and kept up with maintenance. The transmission just went out while I was on the highway and abruptly begin reducing speed and I was unable to accelerate. This was dangerous as no warning lights came on prior to this happening to warn that there were any engine issues. This could have caused an accident on the highway due to me not having control to accelerate and vehicle de-accelerated without warning. Also the passenger seat belt stop working and would not click. There was a Shift to Park warning that kept coming up on the car about 1.5 years ago that should be a recall as the car would not go off when turned off. The radio and lights in the vehicle would continue to run while the engine was off. I am concerned about all of the issue with this car that makes me question the quality and build of this vehicle. …
3 major issues-1. The driver side seatbelt does not latch any more. This started happening 11/1/2022. 2. The "Shift to Park" message continues to appear while the car is in park. The vehicle at times will not shut off due to the message even thought it's actually in park. This has been happening for over a year without a fix and now we're over our 3 year warranty. 3. The car has 45 miles on it before it needed to refuel, however, it stalled and completed shut off in the middle of traffic causing a jam behind us! We had one of our toddlers in the car too which could have ended much worse. The car was towed to Chevy ($160 bill for us), and Chevy said it stalled and turned off because the fuel was empty even though it the dashboard said 45 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the second-row middle seat buckle, the contact became aware that the buckle was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: N192223110-01. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there was no coverage on the vehicle and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Regarding the vehicle's functionality, the horn activated unexpectedly on or around May 2, 2025, sounding continuously for approximately 10-15 minutes while the vehicle was occupied. Subsequently, the horn has ceased to function. Furthermore, on or around May 10, 2025, the powertrain system indicator illuminated, leading to a diagnosis on May 18th that identified code P0455, indicating an EVAP system leak. Concurrently, the driver's side seat belt buckle has exhibited a tendency to detach and fall between the seat components, failing to remain in its intended position.
I went to pull seat belt across me and the whole belt including the box that is attached by a wire cable came with it. It's no longer attached to the floor. I didn't have any signs that it was lose or anything it just broke when I got into my seat getting ready to leave my home.
Related recalls (3)
Seat belts
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles…
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available.
Seat belts
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet traverse, Buick enclave, GMC acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles. The second row seat side trim shield restricts the upward rotation of the safety belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the second row seat side trim shields. If a safety belt buckle is damaged, dealers will replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on August 18, 2010.
Seat belts › Rear/other › Buckle assembly
GM is recalling 16,667 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet traverse, GMC acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary. The recall began on November 26, 2008.
NHTSA investigations
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform)…
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM).
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Traverse years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (25), 2011 (21), 2014 (18), 2009 (17) and 2012 (15) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Traverse seat belt problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 14V-266 (seat belts, May 20, 2014); 10V-375 (seat belts, Aug 12, 2010); 08V-615 (buckle assembly, Nov 24, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Traverse seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the pretensioner (2 mentions), followed by the front (1).
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.