Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with a light pole at an estimated speed of approximately 30 mph. Despite the severity and frontal nature of the impact, the driver-side steering wheel airbag did not deploy. To my knowledge, no airbags deployed. The vehicle/component may be available for inspection upon request. The lack of airbag deployment may have increased the risk of injury to the driver. The driver sustained four broken ribs and a fractured back in the crash, and there was also concern that the driver may have struck the throat/neck area on the steering wheel. The airbag issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Police responded to the crash and saw the vehicle. …
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with a light pole at an estimated speed of approximately 30-40 mph. Despite the severity and frontal nature of the impact, the driver-side steering wheel airbag did not deploy. To my knowledge, no airbags deployed. The vehicle/component may be available for inspection upon request. The lack of airbag deployment may have increased the risk of injury to the driver. The driver sustained four broken ribs and a fractured back in the crash, and there was also concern that the driver may have struck the throat/neck area on the steering wheel. The airbag issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Police responded to the crash and saw the vehicle. …
My husband just had a wreck last night. His gas pedals got stuck causing him to lose control of the truck and the truck to spend around in the middle of the street. It hit another car and a telephone pole before jumping the curb and landing in a field. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON ANY PARTS OF THE TRUCK THAT WAS IMPACTED BY THE WRECK. Both sides of the truck are completely smashed in and both windshields have been busted out. My husband actually came of the windshield of the truck where the Airbag should have deployed.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V178000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi truck. Both the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The contact indicated that the front passenger side air bag deployed although it was deactivated via the air bag deactivation switch located on the lower middle section of the dashboard. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving highway speeds, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision due to another driver hard braking. Even though the vehicle was equipped with an air bag on/off switch, which disabled the passenger side air bag from deploying, the air bag still deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a&a towing salvage yard and had not been determined whether it was destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 292,000.
My son fell asleep while driving and hit a tree and none of the airbags deployed. He had his seatbelt on however I don't think it worked properly either due to his chin hit the steering wheel and head hit the windshield. He pushed the entire steering column into the dash about 4-5 inches and couldn't even move the shifter on the column. The truck is totaled and there is major damage to the entire front of the vehicle as he hit the tree head on but toward the passenger side. This is a 2000 Chevy Silverado crew cab, 4x4, stepside
From the initial report, the driver was over speed limit. However, the airbags DID NOT deploy that could have potentially saved his life.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The driver stated that while driving 50 MPH in heavy winds, she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over several times and the front driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to her head and stomach. The front passenger sustained injuries to the head, mouth and hand. One of the passengers in the rear of the vehicle received injuries to the back and the other passengers head and hands were injured. The passenger seated in the middle sustained injuries to her face. The insurance company confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop. The manufacturer investigated the failure, but concluded that they needed more evidence. The police report was not available. The failure and current mileages were 85,000. Updated 10/20/10 updated 10/26/10
I was traveling approx 25 MPH in the rainy, wet evening of June 15, 2010 at 10:30 pm traveling east on cr 87 and turning to get up on the overpass bridge of exit 234. I started to hydroplane when I hit the gravel, rock part of the road and skidded into the right side of the bridge hitting my passenger tire and bouncing me out and spinning around. I tried to compensate by applying brakes gently and my brakes locked up, my seat belt did not hold me back as I hit the steering wheel with my head and chest. I then was spun head on into the left side of the bridge and smashed the entire front end of my truck. I was so scared and all I could think is when is my airbag going to go off, it never did. There is over $5000.00 damage to my vehicle and it is only worth $8000.00. I went to the er and suffered mild concussion, neck strain and bruised chest.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 5% of the model year's 614 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 138,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 0 fires and 23 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.