Tag Archives: seatbelt problem

Front Seat Air Bag May Not Deploy As Intended

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Chrysler is reaching out to owners of specific Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep models due to a potential issue with the seat belt buckle switch sensor. This problem might prevent the front seat airbag from deploying properly in the event of a crash, posing a significant safety risk.

The recall affects the following vehicle models:

2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2019-2023 Fiat 500X
2019-2023 Jeep Renegade
2024 Fiat 500E

In November 2023, the Stellantis Europe Customer Experience (CX) department, specifically through the European Reactivity process Acceleration for Customer Enthusiasm (RACE) organization, initiated an investigation. This came after they received multiple reports of airbag warning lights illuminating in certain vehicles. These warning lights are critical indicators of potential issues within the vehicle’s safety systems, specifically those related to the airbags.

The Stellantis Europe CX team conducted a review of the supplier data, connector design, and any changes in the vehicle’s manufacturing history. Their investigation identified that the affected vehicles might have been built with a suspect connector on the buckle switch sensor. By February 2024, the Stellantis Europe CX organization had officially opened a safety investigation into the buckle switch sensor’s integrity. The investigation continued, and in June 2024, Stellantis Europe, through their Vehicle Regulations Committee, decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall for the affected vehicles.

The Scope of the Problem

As of June 26, 2024, Stellantis Europe had identified 578 field reports in North America potentially related to this issue. These reports were received between November 9, 2023, and June 26, 2024, indicating a widespread concern among vehicle owners.

According to the defect report, the problem arises from a disrupted connector on the buckle switch sensor. This disruption can affect the conduction on the seat wiring and buckle connectors, leading to a potential malfunction of the front seat airbag. In the event of a crash, an airbag that fails to deploy as intended can significantly increase the risk of injury to the driver.

Warning Signs for Drivers

Drivers of the affected vehicles might notice specific warning signs indicating a problem with the airbag system. These signs include:

  • The airbag warning light staying on even when there is no issue with the airbag itself.
  • The seatbelt reminder buzzer sounding even when the seatbelt is fastened properly.

These indicators should not be ignored, as they signal a malfunction that could compromise the vehicle’s safety systems.

Owners of the affected Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep models will receive official notification letters starting August 22, 2024. These letters will provide detailed instructions on the recall process. Owners will be asked to return their vehicles to authorized dealers to have the buckle switch sensor connection inspected and repaired at no cost.

The recall has been assigned the number 82B by FCA US, LLC, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated the campaign number 24V-510 for this recall.

GM Issues Safety Recall for Chevrolet Bolt EVs Due to Seat Belt Pretensioner Fire Risk

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Seat belt pretensioner problem Discovery and Investigation of the Defect

The issue was initially brought to GM’s attention on August 29, 2023, by an employee through the company’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program. This action followed a dealer report from Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine, indicating that 66 vehicles repaired under the earlier recall 22V930 had not been properly fixed. Subsequent investigations, initiated by GM on October 10, 2023, uncovered further evidence suggesting Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine’s failure to execute the necessary recall repairs.

Further investigations by GM revealed no direct complaints or incidents linked to this condition. However, the seriousness of the potential risk prompted the GM Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) to mandate a safety recall for all 22V930 repairs completed by Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine up to December 4, 2023.

Risks Associated with the Defect

The central concern revolves around the seat belt pretensioner. If a crash occurs and the recall remedy has not been implemented, the seat belt pretensioner’s deployment could ignite a fire near the B-pillar, elevating the risk of injury. After a collision, the pretensioner exhaust may set fire to carpet fibers in this area.

Remedy and Owner Notification

To address this issue, GM dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners. If necessary, they will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and some vehicles may also require a new pretensioner cover. These repairs will be conducted free of charge. GM plans to send owner notification letters by January 29, 2024. Notably, these vehicles had been previously recalled for the same issue under recall number 22V-793, necessitating the implementation of this new remedy. The GM recall number is N232421970, and the NHTSA campaign number is 23-845.

Repeated Repairs and California Lemon Law

The situation with the Chevrolet Bolt EV highlights an important aspect of consumer rights, especially in states like California with robust Lemon Laws. The California Lemon Law provides protection to consumers who have purchased or leased vehicles with warranty defects. If a vehicle requires repeated repairs for the same issue, owners may be entitled to compensation, including a refund or replacement vehicle. This law ensures that manufacturers are held accountable for their vehicles’ reliability and safety, offering peace of mind to consumers facing repeated repair issues.

In conclusion, GM’s steps in recalling and repairing these vehicles underscore the importance of automotive safety and consumer protection. Vehicle owners are advised to heed recall notices and ensure their vehicles receive the necessary repairs to mitigate any risks associated with this defect.

Seat Belt Issue in Certain GMC Hummer EVs

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General Motors (GM) has recently identified a significant safety defect in some of its electric vehicles (EVs). This issue, affecting specific 2023-2024 model year GMC Hummer EV Pickups, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUVs, and certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EVs, revolves around a crucial component of vehicle safety: the seat belt.

Discovery and Investigation of the Defect

In August 2023, a GM seat engineer, utilizing the company’s Speak Up for Safety (SUFS) program, reported a potential flaw after being alerted by GM’s seat supplier. The concern was about a loose front seat belt buckle bolt in a seat built for a 2024 HUMMER EV. This prompted GM to initiate a thorough product investigation.

Working closely with the supplier, GM discovered that the assembly process might not have been consistently adhered to, leading to possible out-of-sequence torquing of seat frame assembly bolts. This irregularity could result in the seat belt buckle attachment bolt not being tightened to the required specifications. After reviewing the supplier’s manufacturing records, GM identified seat frame assemblies that deviated from the intended assembly order.

Upon inspecting 754 suspect seats, GM and the supplier found two seats with improperly torqued attachment bolts. Fortunately, as of now, GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

The Importance of Seat Belt Safety

The seat belt is a fundamental safety device in any vehicle, designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision or sudden stop. A properly functioning seat belt system can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death during an accident. It’s a vital line of defence, ensuring that passengers are securely restrained and minimizing their movement during a crash.

The Recall and Corrective Measures

In November, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority decided to conduct a safety recall. Vehicle owners will be notified and advised to return to their dealers for inspection. The specific focus will be on tightening the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts.

Owners of affected vehicles may notice a rattle near the seat belt buckle, signalling the potential issue. It is crucial for owners to heed this warning and take prompt action.

GM has designated the recall number as N232419280, and it is also recognized under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 23V-786.

This recall by GM underscores the importance of stringent quality control and responsive safety measures in the automotive industry. The seat belt, a simple yet vital safety component, must meet the highest standards of reliability. GM’s action in addressing this issue serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and regular vehicle maintenance to ensure the safety of all road users.

Honda And Acura Seat Belt Safety Issue

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Honda has announced that certain 2018-2020 Honda and Acura vehicles have been found to have a seat belt safety defect. The defect relates to the seat belt buckle channel surface coating, which can degrade over time at low temperatures. This degradation can cause interference between the buckle channel and the release button, increasing friction and leading to issues with the seat belt buckle latching.

The affected vehicles include the 2019-2020 Acura RDX, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, 2018-2019 Honda Accord Hybrid, 2017-2020 Honda CR-V, 2019 Honda Insight, and 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey. If you are the registered owner of one of these vehicles, you will be contacted by the manufacturer and asked to return to your authorized Honda dealer for repairs.

The problem with the seat belt buckle latching issues was first noticed by Honda in June 2019. An investigation was opened, which included durability testing on new seat belt parts. It was during this testing that they noticed the trend of seat belt buckle latching issues in certain vehicles. The investigation ultimately found that the seat belt buckle channel for the driver and front passenger seat belts were manufactured out of specification.

As a result of this defect, Honda has received 301 warranty claims related to the issue between March 22, 2019, and January 16, 2023. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to this issue.

Honda’s recall numbers for this issue are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE, and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-158. If you own one of the affected vehicles, it is important that you take action as soon as possible to have the necessary repairs completed.

It is worth noting that if you have experienced ongoing issues with your Honda or Acura vehicle and feel that it may be a lemon, you may have legal recourse under California’s lemon law. This law provides protection to consumers who have purchased or leased a defective vehicle that the manufacturer has been unable to repair after a reasonable number of attempts. The lemon law applies to new and used vehicles and can provide for a full refund or replacement of the vehicle. So, if you have experienced ongoing issues with your Honda or Acura vehicle, it may be worth consulting with a qualified lemon law attorney to explore your legal options.

Hyundai Issues Seventh Seat Belt Pretensioner Recall

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Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) has issued a recall (22V-816) affecting certain 2023 Genesis G80 Electric, 2021-2022 Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles have front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners that could explode under certain deployment conditions.

This is the seventh recall issued by Hyundai for seat belt pretensioner problems. Hyundai has determined that the subject vehicles were manufactured with driver/passenger pyrotechnic-type seat belt pretensioners that may deploy abnormally in certain crashes due to over pressurization of the pretensioner pipe. The potential of a pretensioner exploding is dependent on vehicle characteristics, pretensioner load limiter specifications, airbag control unit logic, crash duration and severity.

Hyundai first became aware of the problem in September 2021, when they were contacted by the NHTSA’s ODI about an incident involving a 2021 model year Hyundai Elantra. The driver-side seat belt pretensioner allegedly deployed abnormally, causing metal fragments to enter the rear cabin and injuring an occupant’s leg. The NHTSA was notified of the incident by a law firm representing the operator of the incident vehicle.

According to the defect report, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners in the subject vehicles were installed from a suspect production lot containing pyrotechnic-type pretensioners that may deploy abnormally during a crash. At the time, the cause of the abnormal deployment was unknown. Hyundai decided to recall vehicles equipped with pretensioners produced within the same production lot.

Recall 21V-796 vehicles affected include:

2021 Hyundai Elantra
2021 Hyundai Elantra HEV
2021 Hyundai Venue
2022 Genesis GV70
2021 Genesis GV80

Recall 22V-069 vehicles affected include:

2020-2021 Hyundai Accent

Recall 22V-123 vehicles affected include:

2022 Hyundai Elantra
2022 Hyundai Elantra HEV

Recall 22V-218 vehicles affected include:

2020 Hyundai Accent
2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra

Recall 22V-354 vehicles affected include:

2020-2022 Hyundai Accent
2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra
2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra HEV

Recall 22V-458 vehicles affected include:

2020-2022 Hyundai Venue

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Hyundai dealer to have the seat belt pretensioners secured with a cap. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 238/011G.

2021 Ford F-150 Super Cab Seatbelts Routed Incorrectly

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In May 2021, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) was informed of a warranty report affecting the seatbelts in a 2021 Ford F-150 Super Cab truck. According to the report, the front passenger outboard seatbelt webbing was routed through only the rubber trim sleeve, and not properly routed through both the sleeve and anchor eyelet. A misrouted seatbelt may not adequately restrain an occupant during a crash and could increase the risk of injury.

In July, another potentially related warranty report was identified during Ford’s ongoing monitoring process. The dealer forwarded photos of the suspect assembly showing that the seatbelt was routed through the anchor’s rubber sleeve cover but not through the anchor attachment, similar to the prior report. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition, but have approved a field action for vehicles produced between January 1, 2021 and May 27, 2021.

Owners will be notified by mail with instructions on how to perform a preliminary self-assessment of the vehicle’s seatbelts. Performing this procedure does not replace the need for an inspection by a Ford technician.

If the customer is uncomfortable with the self-assessment procedure or uncertain of the results, they will be instructed to not drive their vehicle and make arrangements with their Ford or Lincoln dealer to have vehicle towed for inspection.

If the customer does not detect a suspect seatbelt, they will still be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to be inspected.

If the customer detects a suspect front passenger seatbelt, they will be instructed to not use the seating position and to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to be inspected.

If the customer detects a suspect driver seatbelt, they will be instructed to not drive their vehicle and make arrangements with their Ford or Lincoln dealer to have vehicle towed for inspection.

The dealer will inspect the front row outboard seatbelts to verify the belt is routed correctly through the anchor’s metal eyelet and anchored to the pretensioner assembly. Should the inspection fail, the dealer will replace the affected seatbelt retractor and pretensioner assembly. Ford’s number for this recall is 21C20 an d the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-653.

Chevrolet Malibu And Cadillac XT4
Rear Seat Rattle

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In March 2021, a safety report was submitted to GM’s Speak Up for Safety program regarding a warranty claim affecting the seat belt on a low mileage 2021 Cadillac XT4. The customer’s complaints included a rattling noise coming from the passenger side rear seat belt. The rattle could be heard while driving or when attempting to use the seat belt. The dealer determined that the noise was caused by a missing lower fastener in the retractor assembly. A search for similar allegations discovered three additional potentially related claims also involving XT4 vehicles. In each case, the complaint was a rattling noise that was determined to be caused by a loose or missing fastener in a rear seat belt retractor.

An investigation also revealed that 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles were assembled at the same place using the same right-hand rear side assembly process and added these vehicles to the investigation. Data for the entire population of approximately 1.4 million 2019-2021 XT4 and 2016-2021 Malibu vehicles produced at Fairfax found no additional related claims.

Investigator analysis of the repair procedure determined that the procedure could have been the cause of the loose or missing fasteners under a specific set of circumstances that was unlikely to occur, but possible. The investigator retrieved plant manufacturing records to determine whether other vehicles were subject to similar repairs. Those records identified 437 such vehicles out of the total population. Testing was also conducted that determined it was possible for the condition to be present with the absence of warning noises, even though each of the three relevant field reports did describe audible warning signs.

Although no additional related claims were found, GM have decided to conduct a recall.

According to the defect report, GM will be recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles manufactured at their Fairfax plant. Dealers will inspect the rear seat belt retractors and tighten them as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N212333380 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-649.

2021 Cadillac, Chevy And GMC SUV Third Row Seat Belt Problem

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A defect affecting occupant safety exist in certain 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs. General Motors will be contacting owners to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the defect report, during installation of the third row seating, one or both outboard seat belts may have been inadvertently entrapped in or miss-routed behind the outboard seat folding mechanism. If a seat belt is routed this way itcould become damaged in the folding mechanism and may not protect occupants during an accident.

If the problem exists, vehicle owners may notice damage to the third row seat belt or may have difficulty latching the belt or operating the third row seat.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N202313000 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-190.