Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. During the crash, the front passenger side of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured nose, mild concussion, bottom tooth damage, and back and neck pains. No medical treatment was needed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was later towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer's air bag department declined assistance due to the air bag failure not being reported promptly. The failure mileage was 23,000.
The vehicle involved is a Chevrolet Silverado 1500. During a collision, the vehicle sustained a front-left (driver-side) impact which caused it to spin and subsequently strike the rear. Despite the severity of the initial impact and secondary rear collision, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), including the front and side airbags, did not deploy. The failure of the airbag system increased the risk of injury to all occupants, including a minor child. Without deployment of the front or side airbags during a front-left impact and secondary rear collision, occupants were exposed to direct impact forces that airbags are designed to help mitigate. There were no airbag or SRS warning lights, dashboard messages, or other indications of a malfunction prior to the collision. The concern regarding the airbag system arose only after the incident occurred. …
A week or two before I took my truck into decorah Chevy isr because tailgate was going up and down all by itself while I was driving or parked without me by it. They said it was just the latch button . So they fixed it they said and still my blinker lights would just come on and then I hit a deer and my seatbelt did not latch and my airbags didn't deploy even though my app says they did. I'm wondering if all three are connected with electrical . Either way my air bags did not deploy and my truck has extensive damage and my seatbelt didn't lock ,
Turned from [redacted] into my street, about 9 houses down, i could not brake or turn steering wheel. Ended up hitting 2 cars, the problem was that the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock. truck was totalled.
I had a head on crash on 2/14/23. The other driver was moving in excess of 50mph. The hit was center of the front bumper pushing the bumper and radiator in to the engine compartment. No air bag deployment. However the Onstar system activated immediately.
My safety system service warning comes on for about 30 seconds and then goes back off. This has happened about 4 times now. The transmission causes my truck to shake randomly. My pulley is going out and the local dealer said they wouldn't replace is under warranty(even though my warranty was still is effect) because they said it looked like someone sprayed tire cleaner under the hood(I bought it from the same dealership that I took it to for this service.) The brake seem to shake already when coming to a stop. They seem as if they are wearing prematurely.
The air bag light and service restraint message came up constantly, it seem like it would self clear, then come right back. Truck had only 250 miles on it when it started, it is still at the dealer waiting for parts. They told me it was because of corrosion (in a brand new truck)
Every so ofter I get an audible and visual alert telling me to Service Seat Safety Restraint System as well as the airbag light on the dashboard. This lastest incident is probably the 8th time it has happened since Ive brought the truck new
I was on my way home from work on [redacted] coming around the lakes with no median or shoulder when the engine in my 2021 Silverado started rattling, temperature gauge started going up, and losing power. Within a matter of minutes my truck shut off leaving me stranded in the middle of a four lane highway with no safe location to stop. The engine wouldn't even turn over to try and crank back up so I could get the truck out of the road. After help getting my truck to a safe location I noticed oil and antifreeze leaking out of the bottom side of the engine. This truck was at Love Chevrolet for engine failure on 8/14/24 and was told it was fixed and was never told about ongoing issues with this particular 6.2 engine. …
Airbag failure to deploy. Vehicle didn't deploy airbags at a head on side collision, metal bumper got pushed in and front tow hook got bent, Impact was detected by iPhone crash detection.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles. The front driver's side air bag module may be missing one or more metal tabs that secure the plastic air bag cover to the housing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Malfunction
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM).
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2% of the model year's 847 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-495 (frontal, Jul 1, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries 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.