← New search

2011 Chevrolet Traverse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Traverse years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 302.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

497 reports with mileage · 111 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 204 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 165 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports

Power Train complaints

79 reports
Clear category filter
92,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Power Train

TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CODE P0008 AVOIDED CRASH. LOCKED UP ENGINE WEAK TIMING CHAINS ARE STRETCHING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MUCH MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE THAN THE AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT RECALLS

NHTSA ODI #11230114

70,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

THE VEHICLES CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYS MULTIPLE ERRORS SUCH AS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, PARK ASSIST OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, BRAKE (IN RED), ABS AND ALL THE GAGES GO UP AND DOWN, AUTOMATIC LOCKS-LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HIGHWAYS. ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE CAR OVER, THE TRANSMISSION WONT GO INTO PARK. MULT…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLES CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYS MULTIPLE ERRORS SUCH AS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, PARK ASSIST OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, BRAKE (IN RED), ABS AND ALL THE GAGES GO UP AND DOWN, AUTOMATIC LOCKS-LOCK AND UNLOCK ALL WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HIGHWAYS. ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE CAR OVER, THE TRANSMISSION WONT GO INTO PARK. MULTIPLE TIMES IT WON'T START AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE FAILS TO GAIN SPEED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11209010

107,000 miles · May 6, 2019
EnginePower Train

THE TIMING CHAIN WHEN OUT ON MY 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES NOT MUCH OLDER THAN MINE AND I AM HEARING ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE 2011 MODELS AS WELL. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND THAT COULD HAVE T…

Read full complaint

THE TIMING CHAIN WHEN OUT ON MY 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES NOT MUCH OLDER THAN MINE AND I AM HEARING ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE 2011 MODELS AS WELL. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND THAT COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A DEADLY SITUATION. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED BUT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. WITH JUST OVER 100K MILES AND KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAINS IN THESE VEHICLES I REALLY THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA ODI #11205728

6 miles · Apr 26, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

2ND OWNER. AT 91K MILES WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BLEW OUT. COST $600 TO FIX. AT $111K MILES ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PARKED THE VEHICLE AS DEALERSHIP SAID IT KEEPS HAPPENING FOR 2011 TRAVERSE AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR RECALL. 6 MONTHS LATER DECIDED TO TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALERS…

Read full complaint

2ND OWNER. AT 91K MILES WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BLEW OUT. COST $600 TO FIX. AT $111K MILES ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PARKED THE VEHICLE AS DEALERSHIP SAID IT KEEPS HAPPENING FOR 2011 TRAVERSE AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR RECALL. 6 MONTHS LATER DECIDED TO TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED QUOTED $3800. ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP (20 MINUTES AWAY) GOING 40 MILES AN HOUR CAR STARTED MAKING MACHINE GUNS NOISES AND SLOWING DOWN. PULLED INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD AND PARKED CAR. CALLED A TOW COMPANY AND HAD THEM TOW IT BACK TO THE HOUSE. LUCKILY, OUR NEIGHBOR WORKS AT A MECHANIC SHOP AND CAME OVER. HE TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT SHUT RIGHT OFF. AFTER HIS EXAMINATION HE SAID MY ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT. ALREADY HAVING TO RESET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOW I NEED TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN AND REPLACE AN ENGINE?? SEEMS AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THE 2011 TRAVERSE HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!

NHTSA ODI #11203889

113,000 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONER SNOWFLAKE LIGHT BLINKS 3 TIMES THEN GOES OFF AND TURNS ONTO AUTO. AIR CONDITIONER CHARGED AND REPEATS WHAT IS MENTIONED ABOVE.

NHTSA ODI #11197239

178,000 miles · Mar 19, 2019
Power Train

BAD SHUDDERING IN BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT IS 3-5-R WAVE PLATES IN THE TRANSMISSION. IN ACCORDANCE TO THE CHEVROLET GARAGE, THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM IN TRAVERSES AND HAVE REPLACED THEM IN NUMEROUS VEHICLES. IF NOT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, IT WILL LEAD TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION…

Read full complaint

BAD SHUDDERING IN BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT IS 3-5-R WAVE PLATES IN THE TRANSMISSION. IN ACCORDANCE TO THE CHEVROLET GARAGE, THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM IN TRAVERSES AND HAVE REPLACED THEM IN NUMEROUS VEHICLES. IF NOT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, IT WILL LEAD TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION..

NHTSA ODI #11190126

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2019
Power Train

TIMING CHAIN

NHTSA ODI #11186640

40 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE AT 30K MILES DUE TO 'METAL IN OIL". NEVER ONCE MISSED AN OIL CHANGE AND NO WARNING OF ANY ISSUE UNTIL CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHILE TRYING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO SIDE STREET.. AFTER REPLACING ENGINE HAD TO GET NEW WHEEL SENORS AS THEY WENT BAD 2 WEEKS LATER. ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER HERE WE…

Read full complaint

I HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE AT 30K MILES DUE TO 'METAL IN OIL". NEVER ONCE MISSED AN OIL CHANGE AND NO WARNING OF ANY ISSUE UNTIL CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHILE TRYING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO SIDE STREET.. AFTER REPLACING ENGINE HAD TO GET NEW WHEEL SENORS AS THEY WENT BAD 2 WEEKS LATER. ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER HERE WE ARE DASH FLASHING SAYING 'SERVICE STABILITRACK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGIRE POWER REDUCES". CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ON. MECHANIC SAYS I WILL NEED A NEW ACCELORATOR PEDAL ALONG WITH THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR ITSELF AT THIS POINT IS UNDER 50K MILES. ALSO PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN WITH DRIVE SIDE DOOR LEVERS.

NHTSA ODI #11184782

110,000 miles · Jan 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

'TIMING CHAIN'. RECENTLY ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON AND GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE LT 3.6L WITH ALMOST 113,000 MILES. I USED MY SCANNER AND CODES P0008 AND P0017 APPEARED. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT, 1. THE CODES ARE FOR THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN. 2. TONS OF CUSTOMERS THAT OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AN…

Read full complaint

'TIMING CHAIN'. RECENTLY ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON AND GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE LT 3.6L WITH ALMOST 113,000 MILES. I USED MY SCANNER AND CODES P0008 AND P0017 APPEARED. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT, 1. THE CODES ARE FOR THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN. 2. TONS OF CUSTOMERS THAT OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE ALONG WITH MANY DIFFERENT GM MODEL VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE 3.6 L ENGINE, ARE HAVING THE SAME CODE AND ENGINE PROBLEM. 3. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 MILES ON SOME OF THE 2011 CHEVY TRAVERSE'S AND OTHER GM MAKES AND MODELS. GM ADVISED ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED AND I SHOULD BRING MY VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST GM DEALER TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO ADAMS CHEVROLET LOCATED IN HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND ON 01/10/19. ADAMS CHEVROLET TECH STATS: FOUND CODES P0008 AND 0017. FOUND TIMING IS NOT IN SYNC DUE TO FAULTY TIMING CHAINS. STATED CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. CUSTOMER WOULD NEED TO REPLACE TIMING CHAINS AND ACTUATORS. I CONTACTED GM A SECOND TIME A FEW DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO ADAMS CHEVROLET, THE GM EMPLOYEE STATED THAT SHE WILL NOTE EVERYTHING AND HAS MY CURRENT ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ON FILE IF THEY NEED TO GET AHOLD OF ME. SHE STATED AGAIN MY VIN IS NOT COVERED AND THAT I SHOULD KEEP IN TOUCH WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEE FROM A GM DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY WILL WORK WITH ME ON A PRICE AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN 2018 AND ADAMS CHEVROLET RECENTLY ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING AS WELL BUT TIMING CHAIN IS NOT COVERED ON MY VIN. MY 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE TIMING CHAIN AND /OR ISSUES RELATED TO THAT PROBLEM NEEDS RPLACED FOR FREE OR I WILL GRACEFULLY ACCEPT A NEW VEHICLE FROM GM FOR FREE AND YOU CAN HAVE MY TRAVERSE BACK. RESPECTFULLY,DYLAN

NHTSA ODI #11171076

100,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Power TrainTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11170092

Official recalls

5

21V246000 · Air Bags:critical Fasteners

Apr 8, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

14V266000 · Seat Belts

May 20, 2014

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

14V118000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 17, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

12V151000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Apr 9, 2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA20002 · Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

Opened Aug 31, 2020 · Closed Aug 30, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:anchorage

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

Seat Belts:front

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

Seat Belts

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

RQ19003 · Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

Opened May 28, 2019 · Closed Aug 31, 2020

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:anchorage; Seat Belts:pretensioner

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648

Seat Belts:front

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648

Seat Belts:pretensioner

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648