Tag Archives: seatbelt recall

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.

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.

Cadillac, Chevy & GMC Seat Belt Buckle Assembled With Improper Rivets

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General Motors (GM) will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2022 Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC SUVs equipped with third-row seating. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an improperly formed mounting bracket rivet that may not restrain an occupant during an accident.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade
2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021-2022 Chevrolet Suburban
2021-2022 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021-2022 GMC Yukon
2021-2022 GMC Yukon XL

In May 2022, a GM dealership received a customer complaint about the separation of the third row seat belt assemblies in their 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The problem was submitted to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program and a formal investigation was opened. During this investigation, another seven additional field reports were found that could be related to this condition. Further investigation into the problem determined that operators at the seat belt buckle assembly supplier’s manufacturing plant may have not properly followed manufacturing processes and as a result, may have missed the rivet forming operation. In July, GM’s investigator met with the seat belt buckle assembly supplier to determine the scope of potentially affected parts. On August 4, 2022, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, the rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left and/or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may not have been properly formed during the manufacturing process. If the assembly is not properly riveted, it will not restrain occupants during an accident and could result in increased injuries.

Owners receiving recall notices will be asked to return to their GM dealer to have the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies inspected and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N222372380 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-617.

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.

Cadillac, Chevy & GMC Seatbelt Safety Defect

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General Motors has decided that a seat belt safety issue exists in certain 2020-2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. They will be contacting owners with instructions to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the safety report filed with the NHTSA, the wrong seat belt bolt may have been used at one or multiple locations to secure the seat belt to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached and may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Blazer
2021 Chevrolet Camaro
2021 Chevrolet Colorado
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Canyon
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2021 GMC Sierra 2500
2021 GMC Sierra 3500
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing any suspect bolts. GM’s number for this recall is N202322230 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-811.

Volvo Seat Belt Safety Affected By Defect

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Volvo will be contacting owners of certain 2007-2020 S, V and X model automobiles because of a problem affecting the front seat safety belts. It is estimated that over 307,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.

According to the defect report, the steel cable mounted on the outboard side of the seats to the front seat belts can suffer fatigue from being repeatedly bent as occupants enter and leave the vehicle. Over time, the strength of the cable could deteriorate to a point where it cannot restrain an occupant during a crash.

Vehicles Affected
2011-2018 S60
2016-2018 S60CC
2014-2020 S60L
2007-2016 S80
2009-2015 S80L
2011-2018 V60
2015-2018 V60CC
2008-2016 V70
2009-2016 XC60
2008-2016 XC70

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats replaced. Volvo’s number for this recall is R10029 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-378. This recall is expected to begin in August.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe / Convertible Seat Belt Defect

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Mercedes-Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2016-2017 Mercedes Benz S63 AMG, S65 AMG and S550 coupe/convertible vehicles because the seat belt extender may not retract as intended. According to the defect report, the control unit for a specific production range was not properly coded to account for friction conditions during activation of the extender. In the event of a crash, the extended seat belt extender could break, minimizing the full protection of the seat belt and may create edges that could inflict additional injuries.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-829.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder – Seatbelt Mounting Bolts Could Fail

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A small number of 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder owners will be contacted by the manufacturer, regarding a problem affecting the seat belts in their vehicles. During servicing that requires the removal of the seat belt mount and/or the seat belt reel, the one-time-use mounting screws may have been reinstalled instead to being replaced with new ones and/or it is possible that the screws may have been installed in the wrong location. In the event of a crash, the incorrect bolts may not keep the seat belts properly anchored to the car. Continue reading →