Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | 12,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 187,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 209,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 148,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 2% | 120,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% | 270,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 165,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% | 97,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the odometer was inoperable. There was an abnormal odor of fuel while starting the vehicle. The parking brake and TPMS warning lights were illuminated and flashing. The parking brake was inoperable. Additionally, the seat belts were inoperable. The contact stated that there was a cut in brake line. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance system erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the Forward Collision Avoidance system camera and sensors. No further information was available. Additionally, while driving at highway speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the seat restraint failure message was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Had an accident in 2018 air bags did not deploy and when tried to stop and pushed on my brake pedal, it was like it froze and I was still moving. I was driving 37mph on a city street when the accident happened.
Tail/brake lights failed causing a safety concern. Took vehicle in to GMC dealer for repair. Left tail light (actually the entire printed circuit board) was replaced, right is on back order. Vehicle out of factory warranty and even though we had an extended bumper to bumper warranty, the work was not covered. This is a frequent issue, I have discovered on line, according to many owners of GMC suvs and trucks between the 2015 and 2018 models. Cost of repair including both tail lights is 1617.05. GMC supported me by covering 600.00 of the cost so I paid 1017.05 out of pocket for 2 tail lights that should not have failed. I have only 24554 miles on the vehicle and have never had an accident. Additional to that, the 2 front seat belts are fraying which May lead to weakness eventually causing a safety issue. I want GMC to cover all costs related to repair of these two problems. …
The side air bags on the passenger and driver side front and back deployed while driving down the road. The driver side airbag hit my 19 year old son in the side of the face hard enough to cause his ears to ring. There was not a reason for the air bags to go off spontaneously. He had to pull to the side of the road blindly because he didn't know if he had been hit by another vehicle. We have filed a complaint with GMC. This could have caused a serious wreck injuring my son or someone else on the road due to the shock and force of the air bags hitting him and the inability to see after they deployed. Yes it is available for inspection.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle in the rear middle seat was fractured and would not latch. The dealer (GMC Ford in bakersfield, ca) was contacted and stated the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure with the air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owned a 2005 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 80 MPH in an interstate with her in the passenger seat and her two children in the rear seats, the steering wheel seized inadvertently and the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle veered off to the left side of the road. The contact stated as her husband was trying to regain control of the vehicle, the tires hit the pavement and the vehicle rolled over 7 times in a ditch, within 180 yards and landed on its passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and her husband noticed that the children were no longer in the vehicle and they immediately exited the vehicle through the front driver's side window to search for them. …
The third row seat attachment from the seat to the frame has broken. It is a hook type mechanism that holds the entire row of seats to the latch in the floorboard. This car was not in an accident and the seats broke when the vehicle stopped. There should be a recall. Also the back seatbelt was on a recall for this vehicle but doesn't show up anymore. Please restore the recall. Thank you
Related recalls (8)
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.
Seat belts › Rear/other
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021.
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 › Pretensioner
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
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.
Show 3 more recalls
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point such that the seat belt would no longer lock.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. GM is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections.
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Remedy: Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.
Seat belts › Rear/other
Vehicles fail to conform to FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt anchorages." the center rear seat lap belt was improperly routed.
Remedy: Instructions for rerouting the center rear seat lap belt will be sent to the vehicle owners. If the owner prefers, they can take their vehicle to their dealer and have it rerouted free of charge by the dealer.
NHTSA investigations
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi has received one (1) complaint alleging that the 2nd row passenger-side seat belt release buckle anchor detached from seat frame during a side impact crash.during the crash, the occupant was thrown from his seat, partially ejected through the rear quarter window of the vehicle.occupant sustained injury.GM has subsequently changed seat belt anchoring design in my 2000.
Seat belt anchorage separation
Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr
The automatic locking retractor (alr) is a feature incorporated in the subject vehicle for locking the webbing to properly secure a child safety seat into a vehicle.this pe was opened based on a GM technical service bulletin stating that with certain child safety seats the webbing May not remain locked.there are no complaints in the odi database and only two complaints to GM.GM's instructions state for the final…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Yukon years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (16), 2007 (10), 2000 (9), 2002 (8) and 2015 (6) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for GMC Yukon seat belt problems?
Yes — 8 recalls, including 22V-617 (critical fasteners, Aug 11, 2022); 21V-190 (rear/other, Mar 18, 2021); 20V-811 (critical fasteners, Dec 23, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Yukon seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (13 mentions), followed by the front › anchorage (8).
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.