Of the 10 seatbelts complaints filed for the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
1 (100%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Chevrolet Traverse in our records for seatbelts problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA seatbelts complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Gm is recalling 16,667 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet traverse, GMC acadia, and Saturn outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no
In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the mounting strap, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary. The recall began on november 26, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering seatbelts on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin24-NA-147Aug 2024
This service bulletin provides information on regular inspection of the Seat Belt Lap Anchor.
Certain vehicles may have a condition where if a driver repeatedly sits on the seat belt cable cover located at the base of the driver?s seat when entering the vehicle, it may cause the seat belt pretensioner to bend sharply over the seat side shield. If this continues to occur over an extended period of time, which is very rare, the seat belt pretensioner cable may fatigue and eventually separate, which could reduce the effectiveness of the driver?s seat belt. Before any damage occurs to the pretensioner cable itself, signs of wear will be visible on the pretensioner cable cover where it has been repeatedly bent over the seat side shield. Dealers are to inspect and replace the driver seat b
This informational bulletin provides information to advise dealers about seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning light illumination, as well as difficulty latching and unlatching the buckle or the buckle release button sticking.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse has multiple documented seatbelt issues. Second row center seat belts jam, bind, or stick when the row is folded flat or returned to upright position; some owners report having to cycle the seat several times to get the belt working. The plastic buckle receptacle on the center seat belt breaks when the seat is folded or unfolded. Seat belt buckles fail to latch or release on rear passenger side positions. Fractured seat belts have been reported around 110,000 miles. Some owners note the belt covers are stretched out of their casings, and the center row seat belt buckle design uses a rigid outlet in the middle of the seat, making it incompatible with booster seats—a serious safety concern for families needing to install child seats.
Many owners report their VINs are not listed in NHTSA recall campaign 14V266000 (Seat Belts) despite experiencing the exact failures described in the recall. Some dealers and GM insist the vehicles do not qualify for recall service even when the same defect is present. Owners stress the binding and failure of seat belts creates a legitimate safety hazard during accidents when restraint function is critical.
Same Chevrolet Traverse seatbelts reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Second row center seat belt jamming/binding
Seat belt binds, sticks, or jams when second row is folded flat or returned to upright position. Requires multiple cycles of folding and unfolding to restore function, and sometimes does not work even after repeated attempts.
When: Upon folding or unfolding the second row seat
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt sticks or binds during fold/unfold operation; Requires multiple cycles to restore function; Intermittent functionality after cycling
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report cycling seat multiple times; some required dealer service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 14V266000 (Seat Belts) documented; many vehicles' VINs not listed despite identical failures
Plastic seat belt buckle receptacle breakage
The plastic buckle receptacle on the center seat belt breaks when the seat is folded, unfolded, or during normal operation. Broken receptacle renders the buckle non-functional and it can be pulled out freely.
When: During second row seat folding/unfolding operations
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic buckle receptacle cracks or breaks; Buckle can be pulled out without latching; Buckle receptacle no longer functions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicates buckle receptacle and seat belt replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 14V266000 exists; VINs not listed in recall database despite defect presence
Seat belt buckle latch failure
Rear passenger side seat belt buckle fails to latch or engage properly. Buckle does not secure the belt.
When: During normal usage; documented at 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Buckle fails to latch; Belt not securable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicates seat belt latch replacement required
Fractured seat belts
Second row seat belts fracture, compromising restraint integrity.
When: Approximately 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks or breaks in seat belt material
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicates seat belt replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; VIN not included in recall campaign 14V266000
Stretched or damaged seat belt covers
The covers on second row seat belts stretch out of their casings, exposing internal belt material.
Symptoms owners cite: Cover material stretched beyond casing; Worn or damaged covering
Center seat belt design incompatibility with child seats
The center row seat belt uses a rigid outlet buckle design positioned in the middle of the seat, making it physically impossible to install booster seats. This design flaw creates a serious safety limitation for families using foster care or multiple child passengers.
When: Upon attempting to install booster seat
Symptoms owners cite: Rigid buckle in seat center prevents booster seat installation; No option for belt-based seat belt design; Design incompatible with child restraint systems
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
1 most recent
seatbelts · 110,000 mi
· filed 12/16/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet traverse. The contact stated that the rear passenger side seat belt buckle failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Had seatbelts trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the seatbelts problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, seatbelts issues most often appear around 107,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $500 for seatbelts repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to seatbelts?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover seatbelts issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Traverse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.