Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 11% | 44,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 7% | 38,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% | 113,000 miles |
| 2015 | 17 | 9% | 58,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 15% | 233,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 17% | 79,000 miles |
| 2011 | 40 | 38% | 84,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 29% | 110,000 miles |
| 2009 | 24 | 39% | 75,000 miles |
| 2008 | 106 | 55% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 87 | 43% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% | 101,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 4% | 93,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% | 168,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% | 114,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | 138,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Another driver illegally turned left in front of this vehicle. the vehicles collided on each of their right front corners. The airbags failed to deploy and the shoulder belt did not restrain the driver and keep him striking his head on the steering wheel, and breaking a bone in his hand. this was a serious head-on collision that totaled both vehicles. The truck is currently at the salvage yard and is available for inspection. The driver's safety was put at risk because the two primary safety restraint systems failed. the problem has not been reproduced. Chevrolet is sending someone to download the crash data which will then be provided to their engineering department for review and analysis. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem were observed by the owner or driver before the accident.
On July 9 2020 at approximately 1900 enroute home from work, for reasons unknown, driver, (my 26 y/o son ) lost consciousness and subsequently lost control of vehicle (2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd crew cab long bed 4x4) while in motion heading southwest on a 2 lane non divided local rural road. Vehicle crossed center lines and unoccupied oncoming lane and traveled off the road at 1022 tamarac rd, brunswick, ny and struck a group of trees dead center of front end shearing all trees off at impact. Driver became alert at first impact. Trees came to rest on roof of cab. ***there was some smokey powder but no air bags in the cab compartment deployed. *** a small burnt tear now exists in the headliner over the steering wheel that appears the air bag actuator May have misfired. …
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 45 MPH, she crashed into another vehicle in an intersection. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for pain on both sides of his ribs. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be respired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. The VIN was not available. The consumer stated the vehicle was totaled.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off and parked in the driveway, the contact heard a loud explosion. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear passenger's side side-curtain air bag erroneously deployed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that during the failure, shrapnel and shards of metal pierced the roof and caused multiple holes in the roof of the vehicle. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 72,500.
My truck went off the road I struck a tree in excess of 20+ miles an hour totaled the truck and no airbag deployed almost killing me now I have facial reconstruction and 6 herniated disks which May keep me from ever working again
Service air bag light comes on and stays on. Code indicates pass seat side air bag, high resistance in connect x322, recommend new seat back and seat bottom harness for passenger front seat side air bag circuits. Why isn't this a safety recall?????
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving down the road at 60 mph the roof and side airbags deployed on both sides of the Truck with no collision only driving down the road. The vehicle was inspected by GM and they claiming no defect on their side. However Recall N202324251 Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, for other 2016 Chevy Silverado's 2500 exists. This is large safety issue and wondering if the VIN was missed given this happened for the same recall. GM Allegations department has said they will not pay to fix, but didn't provide the reason for the cause of the airbag deployment.
Related recalls (16)
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.
Air bags
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024.
Show 11 more recalls
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (106), 2007 (87), 2011 (40), 2009 (24) and 2015 (17) model years. Airbag complaints make up 55% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbag problems?
Yes — 16 recalls, including 26V-611 (inflator, Sep 24, 2026); 26V-325 (air bags, May 21, 2026); 26V-166 (air bags, Mar 19, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (9 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (2).
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.