Component

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

43 NHTSA complaints about seat belts:pretensioner issues across 14 makes and 26 models.

Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.

NHTSA ODI component intake brief

ODI category SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

43 filings · 26 models · 14 makes · vintage August 2026

  • FILINGS SPARSE 43 ODI rows
  • MODELS 26 nameplates citing this part
  • MAKES 14 manufacturers in corpus
  • CRASH 14.0% 6 crash-flagged
  • RANK #353 of 696 categories
  • SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 8 injuries
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER (this)SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER (thi…43EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBSEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS…43ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION…44POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSINGPOWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:…44
ODI filing volume neighbourhood: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER vs nearest complaint-total peers

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#353 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 26 models). Open Hyundai Sonata (category leader) →

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER severity reading

The standout signal for seat belts:pretensioner is severity: 0 reported fatalities and 8 injuries (QUIET stamp) on 43 filings (SPARSE volume).

Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.

Next step: compare Hyundai Sonata against EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS on filing totals before treating seat belts:pretensioner volume as a purchase signal.

43
Complaints
26
Models Affected
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 Hyundai Sonata
11
2 Ford Expedition
5
3 GMC Sierra 1500
2
4 Chevrolet Traverse
2
5 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2
6 Toyota Corolla
1
7 Scion FR-S
1
8 MINI Cooper Countryman
1
9 Mercedes-Benz Sl600
1
10 Mercedes-Benz Sl500
1
11 Mercedes-Benz Sl320
1
12 Mercedes-Benz E420
1
13 Mercedes-Benz C300
1
14 KIA Sorento PHEV
1
15 KIA Sorento
1
16 KIA Optima Hybrid
1
17 Jeep Patriot
1
18 Jaguar XE
1
19 Hyundai Tucson
1
20 Honda Civic
1
21 GMC Canyon
1
22 Ford Fusion
1
23 Chrysler 300
1
24 Chevrolet Bolt EV
1
25 Acura MDX
1

Recent Complaints

2020 Acura MDX Crash

On May 30, 2024, the vehicle associated with the VIN associated with the report was involved in an accident. The vehicle is inoperable due to the seatbelt no longer working since the accident. The v

2019 Ford Expedition

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side seat belt pre-tensioner inadvertently deployed and locked. As a result, the seat belt pre-tensioner failed to re

2015 KIA Sorento

The contact's mother owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed three quarts of oil after d

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

None of my local dealers will service recalls on this vehicle. They either tell me that they only perform work on vehicles purchased at that dealership or they continually reschedule my appointment.

2019 Ford Expedition

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed an

2019 Ford Expedition

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75-80MPH, she heard a loud popping sound and noticed that the front driver's side seat belt had exploded

2019 Ford Expedition

pretensioner in driver's seatbelt went off without warning while driving 5 mph on smooth residential street.

2014 Chevrolet Traverse

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he became aware that the front driver's side seat belt lap pretensioner had detached. There was no warning light il

1991 Honda Civic

The contact owns a 1991 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and driver's side shoulder belts pretensioners failed to operate as designed and the shoulder belts failed to ti

2019 Ford Expedition

When turning into a parking lot and putting the brakes on, the explosive charge in the seat belt went off with painful compression of the chest by the seat belt in the drivers seat. The air bag did no

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated the seat belt retraction failed. The contact stated the seat belt got stuck between the driver's door and the vehicle and she was unable

2022 KIA Sorento PHEV

This has been recalled after the car arrived to the dealership but before I purchased (it was a special order). I have not been able to purchase for over a week while I wait for the part. My complai

2020 Chevrolet Traverse Crash

The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the contact rear-ended another vehicle. The driver's side front seat belt pre-tensioner

2018 GMC Canyon

I was on dirt forest road that was not a trail, I went through a ditch at about 3MPH and my side airbags blew. As a result the seatbelt pre tension device was also activated and the seat heaters no l

2008 GMC Sierra 1500

I started my 2008 GMC Sierra, crew cab and began to pull my drivers side seat belt across my body to latch it. I was about 1/2 way when I heard a loud bang that sounded like a gun going off to my righ

2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Returning from vacation on Oct.31 when a explosion in the cab like a shotgun occurred with smoke on the side of both front seats. Emergency lights & OnStar activated. Pulled over to side of road to ch

2016 Hyundai Tucson

Since purchasing this car brand new I have had 3 different seat belt pretensioner failures all covered under warranty. Both front seat belt pretensioners and driver side belt anchor pretensioner. Thi

2019 GMC Sierra 1500

System that failed was the air bag system , Yes it can be available for inspection with notification, My family and friend were put at risk when the air bag system deployed in a parked car and seat b

2014 Scion FR-S

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SCION FR-S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AS THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE

2017 Toyota Corolla Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT ST

Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.