Component
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
43 NHTSA complaints about seat belts:pretensioner issues across 14 makes and 26 models.
The seat belts:pretensioner is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 43 filings from 14 manufacturers and 26 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 6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the HYUNDAI SONATA with 11 filings, followed by FORD EXPEDITION and GMC SIERRA 1500. 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.
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 E 300 | 1 |
| 14 | MERCEDES-BENZ C300 | 1 |
| 15 | KIA SORENTO PHEV | 1 |
| 16 | KIA SORENTO | 1 |
| 17 | KIA OPTIMA HYBRID | 1 |
| 18 | JEEP PATRIOT | 1 |
| 19 | JAGUAR XE | 1 |
| 20 | HYUNDAI TUCSON | 1 |
| 21 | HONDA CIVIC | 1 |
| 22 | GMC CANYON | 1 |
| 23 | FORD FUSION | 1 |
| 24 | CHRYSLER 300 | 1 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET BOLT EV | 1 |
| 26 | ACURA MDX | 1 |
Recent Complaints
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
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the rear driverâs side seat belt pre-tensioner inadvertently deployed and locked. As a result, the seat belt pre-tensioner failed to
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
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.
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
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
pretensioner in driver's seatbelt went off without warning while driving 5 mph on smooth residential street.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.