A recall notice has been issued for almost 95,000 2021 Cadillac, Chevy, and GMC full-size SUVs over seat belt damage. Those models included in the recall include 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe large SUVs.

The recall is for seatbelts used in the third-row seats can get wedged in the folding mechanism

The seatbelts used in the third-row seats can get wedged behind the folding mechanism. This can cause damage to the buckling mechanisms of the belts. If the damage is severe enough they may break if a crash occurs. So far there have been no accidents or injuries a GM spokesperson told Automotive News. The issue can only occur in assembly and not later by the owner according to GM.

GM says in a filing with the NHTSA that dealers will check for damage to the belts. If any damage is observed they will be replaced without charge. Existing seatbelts may also need to be rerouted to avoid future damage. GM SUVs built after November 17, 2020, are not part of the recall. That is when post-installation inspections began at assembly lines for the affected models. 

Dealers were given the recall notice on March 18

Owners won’t be notified until May, while dealers were given the recall notice on March 18.  The NHTSA recall notice is No: 21V-190 and the manufacturer’s recall number is N202313000. If you own or think you might own one of the affected vehicles you can go to the GM Recall Center site. Make sure you have your vehicle’s VIN number to plug into the site search. 

These GM SUVs are completely redesigned for 2021. All of the full-size SUVs are manufactured at GM’s Arlington, Texas, plant. Manufacturing first started there in 1954. By 1997 it was building GM’s large SUVs exclusively. The facility produces 1,200 SUVs a day. Over 5,000 people are employed at Arlington Assembly as of February 2021.