Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | 42,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% | 103,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% | — |
| 1999 | 15 | 3% | 9,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 6 | 2% | 115,000 miles |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving 40 MPH in heavy fog the consumer lost control of the vehicle and went down an embankment and crashed into a tree. The driver side seat belt broke. As a result, the consumer sustained neck injuries and bruises. Please provide additional information.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in an a roll over, and the air bags did not deploy. Also, seat belts did not secure the occupants. The driver was under the steering wheel, and the passenger was under the dashboard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for service and the mechanic stated that there was rust found in the drivers side brake baking plate and brake line. The private mechanic also stated that there May be safety related failures involving the suspension and brake pedal because the pedal had to be depressed all the way to the floor before the brakes functioned properly. In addition, the contact also stated that the safety belts failed to open and close properly. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,950. The consumer stated to pleases disregard notice. He called the safety line to report a complaint against a vehicle inspection station, not knowing the hotline was to report safety defects. …
I have a problem with the right side seatbelt on my 2001 GMC Sierra pickup for the third time since I bought the truck the seat belt stoped working it pulls tight in the seat making itunuseable without warning my wife was in southdakota with her daughter and it tightened up they had to finish the trip without it . I know there was a recall on thr 2000 trucks for seatbelts . My truck was made in mid 2000 and put into service in August 2000. Could I have gotten one of the old seatbelts . Now for the second time I have to pay for a new seat belt . The second time it happened was covered underwarrenty as it happened only six months after the first time now almost 2 years to the day it happened again. I am a firm believer in wearing belts so now for 2 weeks no one can ride in my truck. I still have not got the new belt
Engine uses to much oil, knocks, smokes body- truck bed sides are rippeling because the metal is to thin,& can not handel the weight of a lumber rack, front bumper is dented on both sides but in differant places, was like this at delivery, all the trucks were like this but all of them in differant places.manufacture defect exhaust- loose parts inside of muffler, exhaust rattels from mounting hardware, muffler retains water and leaks at the seams. Paint-rust on the top of cab seatbelt- driver side belt will not recoil,broken seat belt bracket.(this is a safty issue) tires-below 1/32 tread left at 23,000 miles(this is also a safty issue) transmission-makes a cluncking noise at low speeds,takes a long time to shift when running the A/C also makes a howling noise,transmission slips.
2000 GMC Sierra front passenger seat belt not working properly. Customer states that the seat belt is hard to pull and does not retract properly. The consumer initially reported the seat belt was making a squeaking noise. The dealer replaced the seat belt, but the new seat belt locked up on passengers restricting their ability to lean forward and was very tight. The dealer replaced the seat belt two more times and the restriction problem was still present. The dealer stated the belt was suppose to work that way. The consumer stated the original belt never worked that way. The consumer stated the last seat belt that was replaced not only restricted movement, but it did not retract smoothly. Once the seat belt was in use, it did not recoil leaving the belt loose and useless. In addition, the arm rest kept falling off and the seat no longer reclined.
When hitting a bump there was a very loud noise coming from the rear end. Truck was taken to a dealership.dealership's opinion was that the noise was coming from a dfective ring and pinion in the rear axle. Owner was told that GMC was aware of the problem. GMC did not know what was causing this problem, and was working on a solution. Problem has not been corrected. The front seat belt squeak and has excessive tension. Rear seat latch malfunctions. Under hood light malfunctions.
Vehicle was involved in a rear end collision, driver's seat belt failed to operate, casusing driver to hit front windshield, and propelled driver onto passenger's side of vehicle. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified at this time. Consumer also states the airbags did not deploy. There was one injury.
Related recalls (5)
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing May make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position.
Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2005.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems" the requirements for location and instructions for properly attaching child restraints.
Remedy: Dealers will mail an owner's manual update that describes the location and proper use of the tether anchors. The recall began on April 15, 2005. Owners May contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a…
Seat belts › Front
These vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and May not meet the head injury criteria requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.
Seat belts › Front
If both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (15), 1998 (10), 2001 (7), 1995 (6) and 1996 (6) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra seat belt problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 05V-163 (rear/other, Apr 22, 2005); 05V-127 (anchorage, Mar 31, 2005); 04V-225 (anchorage, May 11, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › anchorage (16 mentions), followed by the front › retractor (16).
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.