Recall 15V820 affects 1,364 2015 Gem vehicles because seat belt retractors can jam. Repair is free at any franchised Gem dealer.
Gem is recalling 1,364 2015 E6S, E4, Elxd, El, E4S, E2, E6, and Es vehicles because the seat belt retractor can fail and leave the belt stuck in one position. If the belt will not extend or retract, the occupant is not properly secured in a crash, raising injury risk; Gem dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt retractor on the 2015 Gem E6S, E4, Elxd, El, E4S, E2, E6, and Es is the spring-loaded mechanism that lets the belt pull out, lock under force, and wind back in after use. It keeps the belt positioned so the occupant can buckle it snugly and so the belt is ready for the next ride.
On affected Gem vehicles, a manufacturing error damaged the retractor mechanism during assembly. When the belt is pulled from the retractor, the damaged mechanism can bind or stop working. If that happens, the belt gets stuck in a fixed position and no longer retracts or extends, which means the seat belt assembly does not work as designed.
The warning sign is immediate: the seat belt will not retract or extend. If the belt is stuck, do not treat it as normal wear or a minor inconvenience, because the restraint is not working correctly.
Who's affected?
Covers 8 Gem model variants from the same model year, all tied to the seat belt component.
| 2015 Gem E6S | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2015 Gem E4 | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem Elxd | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem El | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem E4S | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem E2 | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem E6 | seat belt |
| 2015 Gem Es | seat belt |
| Units affected | 1,364 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt that will not retract or extend cannot secure the occupant correctly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Treat a stuck or nonworking retraction mechanism as a reason to stop using that seat until the assembly is replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Gem dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Gem E6S, E4, Elxd, El, E4S, E2, E6, or Es is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gem dealer to schedule the free seat-belt assembly replacement for retractors that can stick in one position.
- Bring the recall notice if Gem has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V820 when you call.
- Use only seat belts that retract and extend correctly until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Gem technician replaces the affected seat belt assemblies, including the retractor mechanism that leaves the belt stuck in one position. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 15V820. If you already paid out of pocket for this seat belt repair before receiving the recall letter, Gem's reimbursement program lets you contact your Gem dealer or the Gem Consumer Service Department about repayment. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment so the service desk can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 7, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 15, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| December 15, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 18, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 31, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V820?
Recall 15V820 covers 1,364 2015 Gem E6S, E4, Elxd, El, E4S, E2, E6, and Es vehicles with seat belt retractors that can fail and leave the belt stuck in one position. Gem dealers will replace the seat belt assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Gem E6S, E4, Elxd, El, E4S, E2, E6, or Es is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V820. If it is, contact a franchised Gem dealer to schedule the free seat belt assembly replacement. Reference recall number 15V820 and Gem recall number L-15-02 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Gem's remedy says dealers will replace the seat belt assemblies free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Gem dealer handling this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a stuck seat belt does not retract or extend as designed. If the belt does not hold the occupant properly in a crash, injury risk increases. Until the repair is complete, confirm the belt moves and latches before using that seating position.
What if I bought my 2015 Gem used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015 Gem is included, then call a franchised Gem dealer and reference recall 15V820.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V820000 |
|---|---|
| Gem customer service | 1-855-743-3436 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V820 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V820000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →