Recall 16V518 affects 15,486 2014-2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit vehicles for seat belt tensioner cable fatigue. Free repair at Chevrolet dealers.
Chevrolet is recalling 15,486 2014-2016 Cheverolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit vehicles because the driver's seat belt tensioner cable can fatigue and separate after repeated bending against the seat side shield. If the cable separates, the driver is not properly restrained in a crash, and Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's seat belt tensioner cable on the 2014-2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit is a flexible steel cable at the front seat belt anchor. Its job is to help keep the lap belt routed and secured so the belt can hold the driver in position during a crash.
On affected vehicles, the cable can sit too far forward beside the seat. As the driver gets in and out, the driver's body can press the cable over the seat side shield. Repeated bending weakens the steel cable until it fatigues and separates. A separated cable keeps the belt from holding the driver as designed.
Before separation, inspect the cable covering near the seat for visible damage. Tears, holes, or wear marks on the covering are the warning signs listed for this recall.
Who's affected?
Spans two sedan lines across the 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, all tied to the front seat belt component.
| 2015 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2014 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS | seat belt |
| 2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS | seat belt |
| 2015 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit | seat belt |
| 2014 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit | seat belt |
| 2016 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit | seat belt |
| Units affected | 15,486 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the tensioner cable separates, the seat belt can leave the driver improperly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. Look for tears, holes, or wear marks on the cable covering, then schedule the inspection and repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS or Caprice Police Pursuit is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free driver's-seat-belt tensioner cable inspection, cable guide, and seat-trim repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V518 when you call.
- Use the driver's seat belt on every trip, and avoid moving the vehicle if the belt does not sit or latch normally.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician inspects the driver seat belt tensioner cable assembly and replaces any damaged cable. If the tensioner cable does not need replacement, the technician installs a cable guide. Every included vehicle also gets new seat trim with a redesigned opening for the cable route. Parts and labor are free under the recall. GM provides reimbursement for eligible related repairs completed on or before 10 days after the owner mailing was completed. Keep your repair paperwork and ask Chevrolet customer service or the dealer how to submit it under GM's reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 7, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 3, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V518?
Recall 16V518 covers 15,486 2014-2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit vehicles with a driver seat belt tensioner cable that can fatigue and separate. If that happens, the driver is not properly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Chevrolet Cheverolet SS or Caprice Police Pursuit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V518. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference recall number 31340 or 16V518. The dealer will inspect the tensioner cable assembly and complete the required repair for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 16V518, Chevrolet dealers inspect the driver seat belt tensioner cable assembly, replace damaged cables, install the cable guide when needed, and install new seat trim for free.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V518?
The safety risk is reduced driver restraint in a crash. Recall 16V518 says the driver seat belt tensioner cable can separate after repeated bending near the seat side shield, which increases the risk of driver injury in a crash.
What if I bought this Chevrolet vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer with recall number 16V518 or Chevrolet recall number 31340. Chevrolet customer service is available at 1-800-222-1020.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V518000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V518 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V518000 |
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 →