Recall 16V209 covers 895,232 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks for seat-belt tensioner-cable separation. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 895,232 2014-2015 Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks because the driver's seat belt tensioner cable can fatigue and separate as the driver enters the vehicle. If the cable separates, the driver can be improperly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk; Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The driver seat belt tensioner cable is part of the front seat belt assembly on 2014-2015 Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks. The tensioner helps pull slack out of the belt during a crash so the belt can hold the driver in the proper position. The cable needs to stay aligned beside the seat, clear of the path the driver uses to get in.
On affected trucks, the tensioner can move forward of the seat back bolster. When the driver slides into the seat, that movement can put body weight across the cable and bend it sharply over the seat-side shield. Repeated bending fatigues the cable until it separates, leaving the tensioner unable to work as designed.
The warning sign is wear on the sleeve around the tensioner cable. If that sleeve looks rubbed, frayed, or damaged near the side of the driver seat, the cable has been stressed and needs dealer inspection.
Who's affected?
Covers Silverado and Sierra 1500 pickup trucks across the 2014 and 2015 model years, all with the same seat belt component.
| 2014 Chevrolet Silverado | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 | seat belt |
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado | seat belt |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 895,232 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the tensioner cable separates, crash restraint protection for the driver is reduced, increasing injury risk. Treat visible wear on the cable sleeve as a reason to call the dealer and schedule service soon. Keep the seat belt latched on every trip until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet or GMC dealer to schedule the free seat-belt-tensioner cable repair that prevents cable fatigue and separation.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet or GMC mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V209 when you call.
- Use extra care entering and exiting the truck until the repair is complete; avoid sliding across the driver seat belt tensioner cable.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician modifies the seat belt tensioner area so the tensioner cable is protected from damage as the driver enters the truck. If the tensioner cable has separated or shows damage, the technician replaces the affected tensioner. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the covered vehicles were under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 11, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 11, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 12, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V209?
Recall 16V209 covers 895,232 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks with a driver seat belt tensioner cable that can fatigue and separate. If the cable separates, the driver is not held properly in a crash, which raises injury risk. Dealers will modify the vehicle and replace damaged tensioners for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado or Sierra 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 16V209. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for recall 15822. The dealer will modify the seat belt tensioner area and replace a damaged tensioner for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. For recall 16V209, the dealer modifies the vehicle to protect the tensioner cable and replaces any damaged tensioner free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver restraint in a crash. Recall 16V209 involves a seat belt tensioner cable that can fatigue and separate after the driver slides over it while entering the truck. If it separates, the driver is not held properly during a crash.
What if I bought my Silverado or Sierra 1500 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your specific 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado or Sierra 1500 is included, then reference recall 16V209 and recall number 15822 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V209000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V209 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V209000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →