What 220 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Acadia Denali

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the second-row seat belts become inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle failed to latch as intended. An unknown dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000.

NHTSA ODI 11678187

This complaint is not just about this particular vehicle. It's about all vehicles. Seat belts only have one latch. If that latch is damaged in an accident you are trapped. Over 60% of the people killed in auto accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. Why? Because of the fear of being trapped. All first responders carry a seat belt cutter. There are a lot of seat belt cutters on the market today. That proves to me that a seat belt will trap you in a vehicle in its present design. In an accident the seat belt shoulder portion will tighten down. Under pressure, it will not release until you back off the pressure. Under certain circumstances you may not be able to back off the pressure which causes difficulty to release the belt. I have designed, manufactured, and installed a prototype of belt release in my vehicle. I call it my Designated Emergency Seatbelt Hinge. I have also filed for, and received a patent for my design. I believe all vehicles should have an D E S H installed. I don't understand why seat belts only have one release point.

NHTSA ODI 11429075

THE DRIVERS SEAL BELT LATCH BROKE DUE TO AN "INTERNAL FAILURE".

NHTSA ODI 11374798

SEAT BELT FOR DRIVER DOES NOT SECURE. GMC STATES NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY LEEK IN POWER STEERING. KNOWN ISSUE WITH GMC AND NO RECALLS

NHTSA ODI 11296936