GMC Sierra 1500 Seat Belts Problems
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about seat belts problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 26 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (19). The words owners use most often: “seat belt” (51% of reports).
- 102seat belts complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Seat belt: mentioned in 52 of 102 complaints (51%)
- Driver passenger: mentioned in 7 of 102 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do seat belts problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 102 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 seat belts complaints by model year
| Model year | Seat Belts complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 0% | 550 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 1% | 37,417 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 2% | 32,500 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 109,000 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 16 | 2% | 75,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 19 | 3% | 75,000 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 2% | 52,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 1% | 43,489 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 86,550 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 13 | 3% | 79,921 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 3% | 77,200 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 200,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 30 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 94,959 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 130,000 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 173,000 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 86,500 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 5% | 36,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Seat belts:front
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:critical fasteners
Model years: 2021
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:critical fasteners
Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:pretensioner
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:front:webbing
Model years: 1999
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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 driverâs side seat belt tightened…
I was in a rollover accident on June 26th 2025 in my boyfriends 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 where we flipped 5 and a half times. The wheel separated from the rim. I will upload photos since I am unsure how to explain how the wheel damage is. During the crash the drivers air bags deployed but the…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have seat belts problems?
No. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints about seat belts for the GMC Sierra 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra 1500 seat belts?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list seat belts. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about seat belts problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “seat belt”, in 52 of 102 complaints, followed by “driver passenger” (7).
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- Power Train problems (1,343)
- Service Brakes problems (1,225)
- Electrical System problems (1,212)
- Air Bags problems (951)
- Steering problems (614)
- Structure problems (591)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (475)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.