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Campaign 21V649 Posted August 20, 2021 402 units

2016-2021 Cadillac XT4/Malibu Recall 21V649: Seat Belt

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 20, 2026

Recall 21V649 affects 402 2016-2021 XT4 and Malibu vehicles for loose rear seat belt retractor fasteners. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.

Cadillac is recalling 402 2016-2021 XT4 and Malibu vehicles under recall 21V649 because the rear seat belt retractors can have loose or missing fasteners. A retractor that is not secured can fail to work properly in a crash, increasing injury risk; Cadillac dealers will inspect and secure the retractors free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The rear seat belt retractor on the 2016-2021 XT4 and Malibu is the spring-loaded unit that feeds the belt out and pulls it back in. It also keeps the belt anchored in the correct position so the rear occupant restraint works as designed. The bolt is the fastener that holds that retractor tight to the vehicle body.

During an assembly-plant repair process, a required fastener was left loose or missing on affected vehicles. Without that fastener fully installed and tightened to specification, the retractor is not secured the way Cadillac designed it. The repair is to install the missing or loose fastener and torque it to the correct specification.

An owner can hear a clunking, clicking, or rattling noise while driving. The same noise can appear when someone pulls or uses the rear seat belt.

Who's affected?

Spans the Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu across the 2016-2021 model years, with rear-seat retractor and critical-fastener seat belt components involved.

2019 Cadillac XT4 seat belt
2019 Cadillac XT4 seat belt
2020 Cadillac XT4 seat belt
2020 Cadillac XT4 seat belt
2016 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt
Units affected402

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

A loose rear seat belt retractor can keep the belt from working as designed in a crash, increasing injury risk. Listen for clunking, clicking, or rattling while driving or when using the seat belt, and schedule the inspection soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2021 Cadillac XT4 or Malibu is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer, or the matching GM dealer for your vehicle badge, to schedule the free rear-seat-belt-retractor fastener inspection and tightening that secures the rear seat belt retractors for crash protection.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Cadillac has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V649 when you call.
  4. Use the rear seats with care until the repair is complete, since a loose rear seat belt retractor can fail to work properly in a crash.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Cadillac technician inspects the rear seat belt retractors and tightens the fasteners where needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by GM. If you already paid out of pocket for a repair tied to loose or missing rear seat belt retractor fasteners, GM's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact Cadillac customer service to ask how to submit the claim.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

August 20, 2021 NHTSA published the recall
August 20, 2021 Dealer notification began
August 20, 2021 Dealer notification ended
September 17, 2021 Owner notification mailed
October 4, 2021 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V649?

Recall 21V649 covers 402 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles with rear seat belt retractors that have loose or missing fasteners. A dealer will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors as needed for free.

What should I do if my 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu or 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V649. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet or Cadillac dealer and ask for the rear seat belt retractor inspection under GM recall N212333380. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and GM says dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors as needed free of charge.

What is the safety risk?

The rear seat belt retractor can fail to work properly in a crash if it is not secured correctly. That increases injury risk for a rear-seat passenger. The dealer remedy is to inspect the retractors and tighten the fasteners as needed.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Chevrolet or Cadillac dealer with recall number 21V649 or GM recall N212333380.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V649000
Cadillac customer service1-800-222-1020
NHTSA recall #21V649
NHTSA recall # (full)21V649000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →