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2011 GMC Acadia

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Acadia do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 256.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

210 reports with mileage · 59 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.

  • Steering. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports10 fire reports9 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Hi, I think the 2011 Acadia Denali should be in the recall along with the Terrain. The reason being that I always get flashed at night and every night as though I have the high lights on which I don’t. That’s every night. Please check into this. With all this road rage going on I worry I might come across one angry person or c…

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Hi, I think the 2011 Acadia Denali should be in the recall along with the Terrain. The reason being that I always get flashed at night and every night as though I have the high lights on which I don’t. That’s every night. Please check into this. With all this road rage going on I worry I might come across one angry person or cause someone to wreck. Please I’m worried. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI #11458225

110,572 miles · Jul 15, 2020
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTED AND INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STARLING CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1001 E IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY, ST CLOUD, FL 34769) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTED AND INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STARLING CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1001 E IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY, ST CLOUD, FL 34769) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED ON THE FIRST VISIT THAT A BRACKET NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGES TO THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BRACKET WAS INSTALLED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,572.

NHTSA ODI #11339505

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS EITHER FLICKER OR DON'T COME ON AT ALL THERE ARE 3 SETS AND NONE OF THE WORK PROPERLY AT ANY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323811

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

IN MY 2011 GMC ACADIA SLT1 THE HEADLIGHTS SPECIFICALLY THE LOW BEAMS ARE VERY DIM REGARDLESS OF THE BULB BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED ALL FROM THE LOWEST PRICED TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE. WHILE USING THE HIGH BEAMS THERE APPEARS TO BE A SHADOW IN THE SHAPE OF MICKEY MOUSE'S HEAD IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF VISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323810

87,000 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2011 ACADIA DENALI WITH FACTORY XENON HID LIGHTS. BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT HOUSINGS AND CONNECTORS HAVE MELTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB HAS MELTED ITSELF TO THE SOCKET ITSELF. THE HOUSING HAS MELTED AND CRACKED. BOTH ARE NO LONGER REFLECTIVE OR FUNCTIONAL AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A ISSUE FOR ALL AC…

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I HAVE A 2011 ACADIA DENALI WITH FACTORY XENON HID LIGHTS. BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT HOUSINGS AND CONNECTORS HAVE MELTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB HAS MELTED ITSELF TO THE SOCKET ITSELF. THE HOUSING HAS MELTED AND CRACKED. BOTH ARE NO LONGER REFLECTIVE OR FUNCTIONAL AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A ISSUE FOR ALL ACADIAS. A FIRE IS INEVITABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11310792

137,400 miles · May 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2011 ACADIA DENALI, HAS HID HEADLIGHTS FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING, AND TRADITIONAL INCANDESCENT LIGHTS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRL BULB WAS BURNED OUT APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO (SO ~5/12/2019), WHEN I WHEN TO REMOVE IT TO SEE WHAT SIZE BULB WAS NEEDED PART OF THE PROJECTOR HOUSING BROKE OFF WITH…

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2011 ACADIA DENALI, HAS HID HEADLIGHTS FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING, AND TRADITIONAL INCANDESCENT LIGHTS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). I NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRL BULB WAS BURNED OUT APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO (SO ~5/12/2019), WHEN I WHEN TO REMOVE IT TO SEE WHAT SIZE BULB WAS NEEDED PART OF THE PROJECTOR HOUSING BROKE OFF WITH THE BULB. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE BULB SOCKET WAS PARTIALLY MELTED, AND THE DUST SEAL AROUND THE BULB IS ALSO PARTIALLY MELTED (BROWN AND STARTING TO MELT). I ALSO LOOKED AT THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND, WITHOUT REMOVING THE BULB, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE PROJECTOR HOUSING ON THAT SIDE IS ALSO STARTING TO BUBBLE/MELT. THE DRIVERS SIDE BULB IS MELTED ENOUGH THAT I CANNOT REMOVE THE ENTIRE BULB FROM THE SOCKET, ONLY THE GLASS WANTS TO PULL FREE. I FEEL LUCKY IT DIDN'T START A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11208527

180,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2011 GMC ACADIA SLT. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID TVD) LOW BEAMS LAMPS. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT SOCKETS HAVE MELTED INSIDE EACH HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE LOW BEAM LAMP CONNECTORS AND PORTIONS OF EACH WIRING HARNESS HAVE MELTED FROM THE INTENSE HEAT OF THE HID LAMP. I CONTA…

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I HAVE A 2011 GMC ACADIA SLT. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID TVD) LOW BEAMS LAMPS. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT SOCKETS HAVE MELTED INSIDE EACH HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE LOW BEAM LAMP CONNECTORS AND PORTIONS OF EACH WIRING HARNESS HAVE MELTED FROM THE INTENSE HEAT OF THE HID LAMP. I CONTACTED GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO SEE IF A RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED. NO RECALL. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MY LOCAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER. I WAS ENCOURAGED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP SO MY LIGHT ISSUE COULD BE LOOKED INTO BY A GMC MAINTENANCE TEAM. I WAS ENCOURAGED TO RESOLVE MY LIGHTING ISSUE WITH MY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER.

NHTSA ODI #11113363

98,000 miles · Jun 19, 2018
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT BULB AND ASSEMBLY SYSTEM COMPLETELY MELTED! WENT TO REPLACE THE BULBS THAT I THOUGHT WERE JUST BLOWN OUT BUT THE BULBS EXPLODED AND MELTED EVERYTHING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIX AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2500.00 TO FIX IN ORDERING NEW ASSEMBLY. THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON ACADIAS BEFORE. I WE…

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HEADLIGHT BULB AND ASSEMBLY SYSTEM COMPLETELY MELTED! WENT TO REPLACE THE BULBS THAT I THOUGHT WERE JUST BLOWN OUT BUT THE BULBS EXPLODED AND MELTED EVERYTHING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIX AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2500.00 TO FIX IN ORDERING NEW ASSEMBLY. THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON ACADIAS BEFORE. I WENT ONLINE AND SURE ENOUGH MELTED HEADLIGHTS AND WIRING WERE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED THE HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO ASK IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED A FOREIGN GENTLEMAN WROTE DOWN MY INFORMATION AND SAID SOMEONE WILL GET BACK WITH YOU BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON IT MELTED UNLESS SOMEONE OR SOMETHING HAPPENED TO IT. I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK EVER. I ASKED THE GUY WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET THIS FIXED ME OR ONE OF MY KIDS DYING IN A WRECK AND IS SUING YOU TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE. I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T APPRECIATE HIS I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE TOWARDS MY FEELINGS OF HAVING SMALL CHILDREN IN A CAR THAT HAS A PART THAT IS COMMON AND KNOWN TO MELT AND NOT GET FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11102569

60,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Exterior LightingFire

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE OVERHEATED ON BOTH SIDES AND HAVE MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THE LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY HOT IN A CONFINED SPACE AND ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT AND SAW THAT IT HAS MELTED THE HOUSING TO THE POINT WHERE THE BULB IS NOW SITTING DIRE…

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DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE OVERHEATED ON BOTH SIDES AND HAVE MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THE LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY HOT IN A CONFINED SPACE AND ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT AND SAW THAT IT HAS MELTED THE HOUSING TO THE POINT WHERE THE BULB IS NOW SITTING DIRECTLY ON THE MELTED PLASTIC HOUSING. THESE ARE THE RUNNING LIGHTS....NOT THE MAIN HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10957975

116,000 miles · Dec 23, 2016
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2011 GMC ACADIA. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN LATE 2013. THIS IS THE 6TH TIME I HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE MY LOWBEAMS. LAST NIGHT HEADING HOME FROM WORK AROUND DUSK I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING HIM. I LOST DRIVERS SIDE TWO DAYS AGO AND L…

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I HAVE A 2011 GMC ACADIA. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN LATE 2013. THIS IS THE 6TH TIME I HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE MY LOWBEAMS. LAST NIGHT HEADING HOME FROM WORK AROUND DUSK I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING HIM. I LOST DRIVERS SIDE TWO DAYS AGO AND LOST THE PASSENGERS HEADLIGHT AS I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE LEAVING WORK. IT WAS APPARENT THAT HE DID NOT SEE MY VEHICLE AS ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES HAD THEIR LIGHTS ON. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN ISSUE THAT IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH PUTS MY FAMILY IN DANGER. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS INCREASED RISK TO MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES THAT ARE ON THE ROAD WITH THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10937228

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