2008 GMC Sierra 1500: seat belt won't latch or retract

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Seat belts · 208,809 miles · TX · 3 injuries

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH with her husband and grandson inside the vehicle and entering the driveway at the residence, there was an abnormally loud explosion coming from inside the vehicle and the driver’s side seat belt tightened unexpectedly. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The contact sustained bruising to the chest. The contact looked at her husband and became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt had tightened and there was blood dripping on the left side of the face, and her grandson had a bruise on the inner thigh. The contact took her husband to the Emergency Room for several fractured ribs. The contact’s grandson smelled an abnormal burning odor and became aware that the front passenger’s side seat belt was smoking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a seat belt pre-tensioner failure. The contact was informed that the seat belt pre-tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 208,809.

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · Seat belts · AL

I started my 2008 GMC Sierra, crew cab and began to pull my drivers side seat belt across my body to latch it. I was about 1/2 way when I heard a loud bang that sounded like a gun going off to my right, the seat belt that I had in my hand pulled back tight pulling my hand with it. There was smoke and the smell of gun powder coming from the bottom of the passenger seat by the seat belt. With my heart pounding in my chest I got out of my truck as quickly as I could (my driver's side door was still open). Both the driver's side and passenger side seat belts were pulled tight and I was unable to get either to release. The truck is now sitting, unable to be driven safely with the seat belt on. The dealership said it would be just under $1,000 to fix plus towing and has no idea how or why it happened. This truck has never been in an accident and currently has about 140,000 mostly highway miles on it and I am the original owner. Searching online I found that there are other people on blogs who have had similar problems with exploding seat belt modules with a range of 40,000 miles to over 150,000 miles.

Filed Sep 17, 2021 · Airbags · 138,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel air bag and driver seat belt air bag were inadvertently deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and cut the air bags. The contact also stated she could no longer use the driver's seat belt as it was locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. However, the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not share the diagnostic of the vehicle because it was confidential. The manufacturer also offered to buy back the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · 169,393 miles · TX

I was driving from lufkin to hemphill at 70 MPH. Something blew up, I thought something hit me. Engine died, brakes started, emergency lights came on, and seatbelt locked down, truck stopped, I got out to see what hit me. Nothing! When I got back in the truck a white powder (not smoke) was coming out of the seat belt on drivers side. When seat belt locked down I had to back seat up to get out of the belt. I was lucky that I did not hit someone.

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Seat belts · 46,000 miles · NY

Drivers side seat belt will not lock in to the receiver on side of seat. Dealer said I may have to pay for a diagnoses and replacement plus parts. I say it's a safety issue and should be covered for free. Wonder if other people have had same problem.

Filed Jan 10, 2015 · Seat belts · 84,000 miles · ID

Driver's seat belt will not retract passenger's seat belt will not deploy without a lot of effort the rear seat belt passenger side, middle seat - the plastic guide broke off making it almost impossible to hook belt to child seat park assist is not operational cruise control works only part of the time.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Airbags · 35,300 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The front driver's side seat belt buckle released independently. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken rib and an injury to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired for the exterior damages. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,300.