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GMC Terrain seat belt problems

18 of the 3,143 owner complaints about the GMC Terrain describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
18
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
96,423
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2023
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    4
  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    2
  • 2012
    7
  • 2011
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Seat belts · TX

The driver side seat belt is hard to lock and unlock into the clip. Sometimes it will not lock into the clip.

Filed May 23, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · FL · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving and nearly coming to a complete stop in the right lane, another vehicle driving approximately 40-50 MPH crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the contact to hit her face against the steering wheel, and the contact became unconscious temporarily. The contact stated that upon regaining consciousness, the contact noticed that the vehicle had moved to the grass by the left lane of the road, where traffic was going in the opposite direction. It was unknown whether the vehicle was involved in a second collision. A message advising that an accident was detected and inquiring whether 911 should be contacted was displayed. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy, and the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract as needed. A bystander opened the driver's side door to verify that the contact was safe. The contact noticed that she was bleeding significantly and was unable to move the right shoulder and the neck. The emergency units assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The emergency units placed braces on the contact's neck and placed the contact on a stretcher. The contact was transported to the hospital, where the contact underwent X-rays and CT scans. The contact was informed that she had sustained a concussion, lumbar injuries, a fractured nose, loss of taste and smell, laceration on the inner and outer side of the bottom lip, carpal tunnel on the right hand, severe whiplash, laceration on the right shoulder, and a cut behind the right ear. The contact was in the process of undergoing MRIs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled, but was still under investigation. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Seat belts · TN

Issues with the passenger side seatbelt not pulling to lock. It's jammed off and on. Doesn't work.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · AZ

I was driving back home when I suddenly heard a loud pop and my car seat belt immediately tightened up. I saw smoke inside the car and the screen in my dashboard said "airbag service" There was no air bag physical deployed in the car so I believe it happened internally. Now my driver seatbelt will not retract and the front passenger seatbelt will not come out.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Seat belts · IL

While in park and driving, the passenger seat belt locks and will not unlock. You must unfasten belt and refasten it. It does this multiple times during a trip. This has occurred since 2020.

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Seat belts · IL

The front passenger seat belt locks on passenger and will not release unless it is completely unbuckled. It keeps doing this for no reason. This was brought to dealer’s attention one to two years ago and they said I would have to pay cost of repair since warranty was off even though I purchased an extended warranty with this vehicle. The service department claims to have taken it apart and cleaned it but could not find problem. The problem is bad since passenger has to unbuckle belt multiple times during a trip.

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Seat belts · IN · crash · 3 injuries

I was in a pretty nasty single vehicle accident. I had my seatbelt on and it DID NOT LOCK on impact as should. It was like I didn’t even have a seatbelt on. I had free range of motion which meant I was pretty much just being bounced around with the airbags and could of went through the windshield it was that bad.

Filed Sep 6, 2021 · Seat belts · MD

The drivers side Seat belt buckle breaks somehow and we are unable to buckle the seatbelt in the car. After the first time, I bought another brand new buckle, replaced it. After one week of use, it also locked up. I am not sure what is going on and why such a thing keeps happening, but it is not safe and needs to be fixed ASAP. Not everyone has $80 to spend once a week on a new belt buckle which should last a lifetime. This is beyond dangerous, since seat belts are mandatory and my wife being unable to use it can be a matter of life or death. This is her only means of transportation and we can't just park it and use another. I can't possibly be the only one. Thank you for taking the time to look into this matter. Please let me know if there is any further information regarding this matter.

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Airbags, Seat belts · 46,000 miles · MI · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owned a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle was struck from the rear which resulted in the vehicle being pushed forward and crashing into the vehicle in front. None of the air bags deployed. The front driver side seatbelt did not retract however the front passenger side did function as designed during the impact. In addition, the driver hit their head on the steering wheel during the impact. After the impact, the "reset airbag" warning message was displayed. The contact and his wife sustained bruising and contusions. Both injured sought medical treatment and went to the Emergency Room. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then the following day the insurance towed it to an insurance lot where it was determined to be destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · 125,000 miles · TN · crash · fire · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated while driving about 35 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver's air bag busted open, smoked and emitted debris but did not deploy. The service air bag light illuminated. The contact and a nine-year old child in a booster seat, in the back seat of the vehicle sustained injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was driven to the contact's residence. The contact also stated that the driver's seat belt did not retract. The contact called the stan mcnabb chrysler dodge jeep ram dealer, located at 200 n. Jackson st, tullahoma, tn 37388 and was told that the information would be entered in the contact's file. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Related recalls

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported December 15, 2010 · 97,843 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles. The driver and /or front passenger safety belt buckle anchor may fracture and separate near the seat attachment in a vehicle crash.
Risk
The safety belt system may not restrain the occupant(s) as designed and could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the passenger and/or the driver safety belt buckles as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 18, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 10V623000 · Recall details

Questions about the GMC Terrain seat belt

Which GMC Terrain years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (7 complaints), 2017 (4 complaints) and 2014 (2 complaints).

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