Component

SEAT BELTS

20,351 NHTSA complaints about seat belts issues across 61 makes and 1105 models.

The seat belts is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 20,351 filings from 61 manufacturers and 1105 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 2,801 crashes, 159 fires, 3,807 injuries, and 168 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HYUNDAI SONATA with 504 filings, followed by JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE and HONDA ACCORD. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

20,351
Complaints
1105
Models Affected
2,801
Crashes
159
Fires
168
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 HYUNDAI SONATA 504
2 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 449
3 HONDA ACCORD 404
4 FORD EXPLORER 329
5 TOYOTA CAMRY 318
6 FORD ESCORT 313
7 FORD F-150 294
8 HONDA CIVIC 279
9 TOYOTA SIENNA 278
10 FORD PROBE 268
11 FORD FUSION 268
12 TOYOTA COROLLA 245
13 HYUNDAI PALISADE 240
14 CHRYSLER 200 237
15 JEEP PATRIOT 221
16 HONDA CR-V 216
17 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 213
18 FORD ESCAPE 211
19 CHEVROLET MALIBU 211
20 TESLA MODEL 3 202
21 TOYOTA RAV4 190
22 DODGE AVENGER 182
23 FORD FOCUS 171
24 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 160
25 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE 157
26 FORD EXPEDITION 156
27 JEEP LIBERTY 153
28 DODGE DURANGO 147
29 JEEP COMPASS 142
30 HONDA ODYSSEY 142

Recent Complaints

2023 HYUNDAI PALISADE

The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The conta

2020 FORD ESCAPE

For months, I have had restraints indicator lamp warning, specifically for the driver seatbelt buckle sensor circuit, as well as one notification for a fault with the occupant classification system wh

2006 NISSAN XTERRA

I have a lot of ticking and stalling lights are blinking I think it’s may be the transmission and I smell gas inside the vehicle.

2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Driver's seat belt retractor doesn't retract all of the time. Hangs up & leaves slack. Bought car & wasn't as bad. Didn't talk to dealer until now. Drove car 800 miles & 4 months since purchase. Deale

2017 NISSAN MURANO Fire

Technical Incident Report: Electrical Component Failure Reference: Technical Service Bulletin NTB19-004 Part Number: 873D6-5AA6A (Control Unit/Actuator) Incident Overview On 2/16/26, the vehicle was

2014 FORD FUSION

Rear seat belt plastic clasp has broken on both sides and no longer function. Additionally, replacement parts are not available. Children are no longer able to sit in the rear seat. This issue has

2025 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The seatbelt retraction system failed to retract fast enough, which caused the seatbelt to become

2017 FORD EXPEDITION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front driver’s side seat belt failed to latch as intended. The failure was intermittent. The dealer

2014 JEEP PATRIOT

I went to the Quirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM dealership of Dorchester (on hallet street) to have my vehicle recall serviced & I was turned away because I was told that the dealership does not service c

2015 FORD ESCAPE

I recently purchased this vehicle. The driver seatbelt does not retract snugly when fastened. The tensioner is not working. I am afraid it will not hold me if I crash. I will fix this. It is a se

2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

While operating vehicle, driver's side seat belt frequently disconnects without warning.

2021 HYUNDAI PALISADE

I'm just realizing this is a recall. I have not been notified by mail. My second row passenger seatbelt does not always lock. I have been getting on my children thinking it was them. Also I have not b

2019 HONDA ACCORD

My vehicle's right driver seat buckle assembly is failing. My seat belt will not latch making my vehicle unsafe and unlawful to drive in the State of Florida. I first noticed this problem on Friday, F

2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON Crash

my air bag light is on again , my front end was hit bad and they air bags didn't deploy and after the car was fixed the light is always on again, Hyundia can't fix it or find parts to replace it

2016 RAM 1500

The drivers side seat belt is very difficult to latch.

2021 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

My vehicle has been in the shop here at McGrath Hyundai in Chicago, IL 30+ times since I bought it 5/21. Electrical, (rear), 6 horns, 6 blower motors, multiple warranty and recalls and now my front

2022 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

Loud chatter/rattle noise under acceleration and idle loss of power with no engine lights on dash metallic shards in oil.

2016 KIA SORENTO

My car totally stopped on me due to one of the 8 recalls I have undone related to my car. My insurance company verified that the recalls were open related to my car. I verified it to make sure by vin

2025 HYUNDAI PALISADE

I am writing to formally report Hyundai’s failure to remedy Safety Recall 25V607 involving defective first and second-row seatbelts in our 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The recall was issued in September 2

2020 HYUNDAI PALISADE

Engine is sucking the life out of this vehicle meaning it is consuming more than normal oil. Oil consumption, I had the testing done. and Hyundai has done nothing about fixing the issues Well I am the

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve seat belts issues?
The NHTSA has received 20,351 complaints about seat belts problems across 1105 vehicle models from 61 manufacturers.
How dangerous are seat belts defects?
SEAT BELTS issues have been linked to 2,801 crashes, 159 fires, 3,807 injuries, and 168 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most seat belts problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for seat belts issues is the HYUNDAI SONATA with 504 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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