The contact owned a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. While the contact's wife was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy, and the seat belt failed to restraint the driver as intended. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the Insurance Company. The driver was transported to a local medical center. The driver sustained bruised left and right knees, a bruised chest and ribs, and bruised lungs. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
GMC Sierra 1500 seat belt problems
41 of the 9,082 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 1500 describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 77,200
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 3Engine failure 2Hesitation 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
The backseat middle passenger seatbelt failed to release causing my [XXX] child to become stuck and restrained in the seatbelt blocking his circulation, therefore for the safety of my child I had no choice but to cut the seatbelt. I have tried to report it to the dealership and insurance company but both advised that this is not something that is covered by insurance or warranty. Is this a recall that the manufactory can repair? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
The front passenger side seat belt retractor is failing to retract. I had a passenger in the vehicle and as we came to a stop in my driveway to exit the vehicle she unhooked (released) the seatbelt and it will not retract. The seatbelt is now currently extended out and will not retract back into the retractor. I purchased the vehicle today 08-05-2026, I called the dealer I purchased it from and they state that there is no recall on the vehicle with this issue. I did look the issue up on google and infact is states a problem with the seatbelt retractor for my vehicle. I sent them a screenshot of the confirmation found and they decline to acknowledge a repair stating there is no recall. I was able to manually feed the belt back into the retractor, it was extremely difficult but I sat in the seat to duplicate the issue and it will duplicate. The seatbelt is currently extended and will not retract automatically. The shoulder stap will not fit securely around a passenger at this time. I have had no prior use of the vehicle until today as I purchased it from a reputable dealer who states they did a full inspection of it prior to selling but apparently this issue was not repaired prior to selling it.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the front driver's seat belt completely failed. The lap belt portion came apart, causing the chest strap to loosen. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the steel anchor cable bolted to the floor had separated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly hard downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving the rest of the drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer performed an 8-speed transmission fluid and filter replacement. The contact stated that the failure persisted. A month later, the contact stated that on a separate occasion, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that a month later while her husband was driving on the freeway at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized and the rear-end locked and threw the driver into the steering wheel even though the seat belt was securely buckled. The contact stated that the transmission was stuck in drive(D), and the vehicle was unable to move forward. The driver shifted into reverse(R) and was able to pull off the freeway. The contact stated that the vehicle was then driven to an empty parking lot and left overnight. The vehicle was then picked up the following day and was driven to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact hired a GMC engineer to inspect the vehicle and informed the engineer that the vehicle needed to be driven a minimum of three days and 300 miles before experiencing the failure. The contact stated that the engineer drove the vehicle for 100 miles. The contact stated that the GMC engineer and one of the employees at the dealer suggested replacing the PCM module because there was no fault code present during the failure. However, the contact was informed that there was no guarantee that replacing the PCM would fix the vehicle. The failure milea
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated the front passenger’s seat belt was difficult to buckle, and it recently started unbuckling while a passenger was seated in the passenger’s seat with the seat belt buckled. The contact stated that when the seat belt was unbuckled, the seat belt warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Drivers side seat belt cable broke off where it connects to left side of drivers seat. It looks like a clean break I can send pictures
On my 2014 GMC, the front driver side seatbelt was not latching. We had to finagle to latch it. To which this point we were unsure that we were safe. So I brought the GMC to the GMC Rosedale dealership and after further investigation they charge me $522 to repair replace the belt. I told them it’s a safety issue, but they seem not to care, I also contacted GMC corporate and they are investigating this. So if it state law that you have to wear a seatbelt for your safety, why do dealerships charge you to repair or replace them.?
Both passenger and driver airbags located behind front seats/where Seatbelt is located blew during a collision, seatbelt locked us in during impact,the cab of the truck filled with white smoke and smelt like an electric fire during impact. problem will be confirmed by a collision center and insurance this week. There’s a lamp warning on the dash board that says there’s a safety warning.
Related recalls
Seat belts: front
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
- Risk
- A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
Recall number 21V245000 · Recall details
Seat belts: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- 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. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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 1‑800‑458‑8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Recall number 20V811000 · Recall details
Seat belts: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- Risk
- If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Recall number 20V792000 · Recall details
Seat belts: pretensioner
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
Recall number 19V814000 · Recall details
Seat belts: pretensioner
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V‑651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- 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. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Recall number 17V437000 · Recall details
Seat belts: pretensioner
- What is wrong
- 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 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- 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. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Recall number 16V651000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to January 21, 2015. While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable.
- Risk
- If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. Any tensioner that has already been damaged will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15822.
Recall number 16V209000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: webbing
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the right front passenger restraint systems may not meet the neck extension requirements.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.
Recall number 00V122000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra 1500 seat belt
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (7 complaints), 2014 (6 complaints) and 2018 (6 complaints).
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