Chevy Equinox, Traverse Get ‘Poor’ Rating In IIHS Seat-Belt Reminder Evaluation
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Two General Motors vehicles, the Chevy Equinox and Traverse crossovers, performed poorly in a recent evaluation of seat belt reminder systems conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
IIHS researchers recently tested the seat-belt reminder systems in 26 different new vehicles as part of the introduction of a new ratings system for this technology. The safety watchdog says federal standards specify that seat belt reminders must include an audible signal that lasts for 4-8 seconds total and a visual alert that lasts at least 60 seconds whenever the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled. However, research conducted by the agency previously has shown that “more noticeable and persistent alerts,” could help to increase belt use among drivers by as much as 34 percent, which may prevent up to 1,500 fatalities a year.
To earn the best-possible rating of Good in this evaluation, a seat belt reminder system must “generate an audible signal and visual alert,” when the vehicle is moving at least 6 mph and the system detects an unbelted occupant in one of the front-row seats or the unfastening of a second-row belt that was previously buckled, the IIHS says. The audible alert must also be loud enough to be heard over the background noise in the vehicle cabin and, if the seat belt of an occupied front seat remains unbuckled, the visual and audible reminders must last at least 90 seconds. If a previously fastened second-row belt is unbuckled, the reminders must last at least 30 seconds. A visual indicator that appears when the driver starts the vehicle is also required for the second row.
The Chevy Equinox and Traverse received a rating of ‘Poor’ in this evaluation, as the duration and sound level requirements of the belt reminder were either too short, too quiet or a combination of the two. Neither of these crossovers are available with a rear seat belt reminder system in any available trim level, which also led to the IIHS docking these nameplates points. Other vehicles that performed poorly in this evaluation include the Audi Q3, Buick Encore, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Volkswagen Atlas and Volvo XC40.
Among the 26 vehicles tested by the IIHS, only two Subaru models, the Ascent and Forester, earned a ‘Good’ rating. Five others, the Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Rogue, earned a rating of Acceptable.
IIHS president Dave Harkey hopes the new evaluation will force automakers to implement better seat belt reminder systems.
“Our research shows that effective seat belt reminders can also save lives by getting those who aren’t diligent about belt use to buckle up,” he said. “These new ratings are designed to push manufacturers to realize that potential.”
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There’s a core problem: GM’s default chime volume, while fine when the car parked, is too quiet while driving, particularly when the radio is on, HVAC is full blast, and you’re going at highway speeds.
I think this is exactly how a bunch of Corvette C8s lost their hoods, there’s a video where somebody needed to use advanced audio processing to show it was actually dinging when it came off.
You can easily fix this yourself in the infotainment menus, so this is a trivial fix for GM, if they ever wanted to deal with it. GM also should put in a volume boost if the engine is running, so it’s not so loud when parked.
Thanks for telling me how to turn it down! A Corvette losing its hood is due to operator error not a silly warning chime.
LOL, I have a 2019 Equinox and the dam warning chime is way too loud, I have been trying to figure out how to turn the volume down or off!
Maybe if you buckled up your seatbelt it would help !
Deflect. That’s a personal choice.
Fine, we’ll just cancel your Medicare.
We always use our seat belts, no chime needed. Not sure what they sound like in our vehicles. The vehicle does not move until all belts are fastened.
I have had 3 Equinox vehicles and this has not been an issue. ALL 3 delivered on what I wanted, low price, excellent fuel economy and great utility for carrying passengers and cargo. Reliability was good with each. Will buy another possibility for the EV if it’s truly 30k.
I’ve owned my Traverse since 19 and no issues with the level of sound. This is just a nit picky issue since the crash testing was on par with their policies.
The wife will take off her safety belt to help my granddaughter and in less than a minute, the alarm goes off. Then it goes again reminding her to rebuckle her belt because she forget when she reseated. Sound is loud enough for us to hear over the radio so this knock is BS.
Do you think sales will drop if I can hear the alarms but not deafening to where it will be ear piercing…no…
BTW, the rear checking seat alarm is loud enough as well.
What’s next, door ajar, low tire, lights left on, and key fob left in car, will be part of IIHS protocols and ding manufacturers as part of their testing… over reach.
What rating did the IIHS give GM’s Killer Ignitions…
Thousands of Americans that weren’t Killed, nevertheless crashed causing substantial personal injuries and property damage. Since Republicans helm every insurance company in America, they might not find it as amusing as the Republicans at GM do. Why should insurers have to pay for GM’s enjoyment?