Vehicle recall 03V117000 · March 31, 2003
Chevrolet Blazer, Oldsmobile Bravada and 1 more model
Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Certain sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional inches of webbing into the seat belt system. The free falling latch plate used in this system may allow webbing to dynamically distribute between the lap and shoulder belt as the driver's position changes during a multiple rollover event.
- Consequence
- If the energy-absorbing loop fully deploys in a severe multiple rollover crash, it is possible that a belted driver may experience partial or even complete ejection from the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the energy-absorbing seat belt assemblies with one that does not have the energy-absorbing loop. Owner notification began on August 8, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
- Notes
- GM recall no. 03020.CUSTOMERS can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 03V117000
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 31, 2003
- Filed by
- GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Manufacturer campaign
- 03020
- Owner notification
- August 8, 2003
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 312,715
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Chevrolet Blazer (1997): 1997
- GMC Jimmy (1997): 1997
- Oldsmobile Bravada (1997): 1997
Has your Chevrolet been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Chevrolet dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.