101 of the
7,767 complaints filed about the GMC Acadia
are about the seat belts —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
Since we purchased our 2022 Acadia 6/24/2022 we have had the warning "Service Safety Restraint System" pop up randomly. We have mentioned it numerous times over the years when the vehicle has been in for routine service at our local dealership. They have never been able to determine the cause as no service code ever shows up for them. Today in addition to the warning the red air bag warning light also lit up briefly. The warning has popped up 2x in the last 2 weeks again with today being the only time we noticed the red light as well. We are now more concerned about the safety of our vehicle. (We will be on vacation now through 8/25 & would be available after that date for any contact)
NHTSA complaint #11757181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that after further inspection, the contact became aware that the second-row middle seat belt buckle failed to latch securely into the seat belt buckle and failed to remain securely locked. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2024 GMC Acadia grounded at dealership for 3+ weeks due to unavailable driver seat belt buckle (Part 26522477), rendering a brand-new vehicle legally un-driveable due to primary restraint part constraints. The buckle will not latch, causing the seat belt to be rendered inoperable. The problem was reproduced by the dealership, and the replacement part is backordered.
NHTSA complaint #11750108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the flexible steel cable connecting the seat belt to the seat separated and broke resulting in no way to use the seatbelt/connecting the seat belt to the connector on the seat.
NHTSA complaint #11748965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while parked he observed the drivers seat belt that the braided steal cable was broken and the seat belt clasp was barley hanging on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drivers seat belt was broke and was hanging off and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was 178,600.
NHTSA complaint #11738470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver's side seat belt lower attachment point. Has a flexible cable swage attachment to the lower seat belt and. This braided steel cable has failed at the swage. No accident involved. Just a fatigue failure over time. But since this is a safety system, I thought I should report it. It seems very similar to the earlier seat belt failures on the same GMC platform. That recall is included as a reference document
NHTSA complaint #11737296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection, the fuel gauge failed to properly display the fuel level. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the unknown repairs were made; however, the traction control, ABS, Stabili-trak, and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 14V614000 (Electrical System), 14V266000 (Seat Belts), 21V246000 (Air Bags), and 14V223000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11694995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The middle row passenger side bucket seat seems to have a seat buckle failure. We have had a booster seat professionally installed for over a year. I check daily before my son gets in the seat that the seat is properly secured, but this morning it was loose. The shoulder belt that you have to pull all the way out to ratchet. It in place was completely un ratcheted and free to move. The buckle was still buckled completely, and the only way the shoulder belt should have been able to be loose like that would’ve been completely unbuckling and letting it retract all the way. The seat buckle was never unbuckled whatsoever. It seems like that ratcheting mechanism somehow failed and released the lock on the shoulder belt which was supposed to be holding the car seat in place. To properly resecure the car seat, I needed to unbuckle and allow the seat buckle to completely retract back into its normal position before pulling it back out to route through the car seat and re-ratcheting it tightly. The locking mechanism appears to be working now, but I am concerned that without unbuckling the seat buckle it just randomly Unlocked on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11694473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the rear passenger side seat belt and driver's side rear seat belt failed to fully extend smoothly while passengers were attempting to buckle the seat belt, or while attempting to secure a car seat inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while pulling the seat belt from the retracted position, the seat belt locked up. The contact had to release the seat belt and then attempt again to securely buckle the seat belt. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s seat belt retractor failed to lock in place while securing the car seat. The contact stated that the belt was very loose. The contact stated that the driver's side rear seat belt was also difficult to secure the car seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that both seat belt units needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,745.
NHTSA complaint #11691869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Acadia. The contact stated the center rear seat belt failed to extend as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,456.
NHTSA complaint #11686211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving under normal conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent deceleration. The emergency braking and collision avoidance systems activated spontaneously, as if the vehicle had struck or was about to strike an object. There was no obstacle, impact, or external threat present. This uncommanded braking caused significant physical stress and injury to the occupants. Critically, multiple safety systems failed during the event: The seat belts did not lock, failing to restrain the occupants; The airbags did not deploy, despite the severity of the deceleration; no warning indicators or diagnostic alerts were present before or after the incident. These failures directly contributed to physical injuries, including TBI (concussion, spinal trauma, etc.) which required emergency medical treatment and ongoing care.
NHTSA complaint #11681063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row seat belts become inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle failed to latch as intended. An unknown dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When the vehicle is cold in the winter it is very hard to push in and latch the Driver seat belt. I have complained to the dealer and they have told me that there is no factory approved method to lubricate it. They suggested that I try spraying some WD-40 in it, but they are not allowed to. My vehicle is not under bumper-to-bumper warranty anymore, but I do have a GMC extended warrantee that is stating that it is not covered. I am not aware of anything ever spilling inside of it (If that did happen, it would not work fine in warm weather). Since this is a safety issue I want to ensure it is properly reported and possibly I can get assistance with GMC fixing this issue with my vehicle. I started noticing the issue in winter of 2023 and it was worse this winter (2024).
NHTSA complaint #11597908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the front driver's side and front passenger’s side seat belt locking mechanism failed to remain latched. The contact stated that while driving, the seat belts would erroneously become unlatched. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat belts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11578048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seatbelt buckles are defective. Unable to latch properly in first 2 rows. In 3 led row seatbelt is also defective. Somehow my daughter got tangled in seatbelt and could not breathe, I was forced to cut seatbelt with scissors. Always had seatbelt problems since purchase. However due to the trauma my daughter faced I am very concerned.
NHTSA complaint #11575342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was tboned January 9, 2023 the side impact airbags didn't deploy nor does it seem the seatbelts engaged. There were 2 side impacts to the passengers side ZERO airbags deployed. It WAS part of a recall AND recall work had been completed almost immediately in 2014 (GM website screenshots attached for your easy reference for the 2 recalls showing completed). YET, they STILL failed! NO indication they had an issue nor would fail when needed as they did. The driver of the other vehicle was seemingly going a high rate of speed when she failed to stop for the red light her direction and tboned me as I was traveling through an intersection for a green light my travel path. My vehicle was totaled, part of the total report attached indicated "Diagnose Airbags" as they didn't deploy. (Screenshots of a GM autobody shop estimate line item as well as CarFax report attached for your easy reference) Multiple injuries sustained, including a serious TBI.
NHTSA complaint #11572815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.