Chevrolet Recall 01V-159: Seat belts – retractor

Affected: 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2001 GMC Suburban and 2 more. Filed with NHTSA on May 17, 2001, covering about 9,196 vehicles.

The problem

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.

The risk

In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.

The fix

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. Owner notification began July 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC at 1-800-462-8782.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign01V-159 (01V159000)
Manufacturer number01043
ManufacturerGeneral Motors, LLC
ComponentSeat belts › Front › Retractor
Report dateMay 17, 2001
Owners notifiedJuly 2, 2001
Vehicles affected9,196
Initiated byManufacturer

Vehicles covered

Plus 2 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.

Owner complaints about the seat belts

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 01V-159 repair free?

Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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. Owner notification began July 2, 2001.

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 9,196 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.