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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving east on f.m. 356 at about noon. I was travelling about 50 MPH. A car turned in front of me and I attempted to pass the car. I was unable to due to oncoming traffic, so I quickly returned to my lane. One of my tires went off onto the unpaved shoulder and I went down a small embankment. It was muddy so I could not stop. I hit a large pine tree head on and stopped. Both of us were wearing our seatbelts. My airbag failed to deploy causing my head and torso to strike the steering wheel. I suffered 6th nerve paulsey and an anuerism developed on my aorta. The aorta had to be surgically repaired. My granddaughter's airbag had been turned off due to her small size. She suffered a broken leg and a slight concussion. The truck was totalled.
While driving at 55 MPH consumer lost control of vehicle while traveling up a hill. Then vehicle struck a wooden fence. One beam of the fence came through the windshield, striking the consumer in the head, eventually killing him. Also, two passengers sustained injuries. In the confusion, consumer depressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes and struck a fire hydrant. All passengers and the consumer were wearing seat belts. However, the air bags did not deploy. Police arrived on the scene and made a report. Manufacturer and dealer had been notified of the incident.
Consumer's, vehicle was rear ended while driving 50 MPH. The vehicle was force into a spin and then, it hit a concrete road divider. Upon impact, neither frontal air bags deployed. Driver sustained injuries, and had to be transported to a local hospital. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. The consumer stated that the seat belt did not keep her from hitting her chest on the steering wheel. After the front and the back of the vehicle hit the concrete divider the air bags did not deploy.
I was traveling about 30 miles per hour when I had to stop for a van ahead of me. I touched my brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. No brakes at all. Because of other traffic, and no time, I hit the van in the rear. Neither of the air bags deployed. The gentleman in the van had to go to the hospital. I had a bump on my leg, and my brother was not hurt. I just now have heard other stories of the same problem going on for years. This is not right.
Dt: contact's vehicle was involved in accident while going 15-35 MPH. The impact was focused on the middle left of the vehicle. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. She had not taken vehicle to a service dealer yet. She tried to call, but she did not talk to anyone. Updated 11/16/2006 - the consumer explained that she May have been going anywhere from 15-35 MPH. The brakes were not applied prior to the accident.
While driving consumer was towing a trailerthe driver's side rear tire treads separated from the trailer. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and collided into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained head injuries, and was transported to a hospital by an ambulance. Vehicle and trailer were totaled.
Involved in a motor vehicle accident on 04/04/06 striking a concrete light pole, rendered unconscious, vehicle traveled across a roadway striking a tree. Air bags in the vehicle never deployed. Vehicle came in contact with both the tree and light pole at 90 degree angle. Air bag switch was in the on position. Vehicle was totaled as a result of the accident.
While traveling at 55 MPH consumer left the freeway and struck a large pile of dirt. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained head and back injuries. Was taken to the emergency room. The vehicle was totaled.
My father, who is a mechanic, had a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado hd in perfect condition. On a Sunday afternoon with clear conditions, he was traveling to an Apple orchard in connecticut. Traveling about 30 m.p.h., he noticed a large vehicle backing out of a driveway. As a dump truck operator, he is well aware of the limited visibility in this particular vehicle and how difficult it would be for the vehicle to stop. So, he pushed the brakes in his vehicle and the brakes went all the way to the floor without any response. Realizing his brakes had failed, he immediately realized he needed to avoid colliding with the second vehicle. His quick response and experience behind the wheel allowed him to miss the second vehicle. He didn't want to hit the vehicle because he would have impacted the drivers side. Instead, his truck bolted into a stone wall, flipped and ended up in between two trees. …
I was traveling westbound on state route 262 at approximately 32 miles per hour when I encountered a stopped vehicle. I applied the brakes and the vehicle began an initial brake and then lurched forward without my releasing my foot from the brake pedal. This caused me to strike the vehicle in front of me. The air bags did not deploy nor did the seat belt properly restrain me. This caused me to strike the steering wheel with my chest and stomach. The hamilton county police office documented that the air bags and the seatbelt did not properly function. I was sited for following to close even though I feel that the brakes failed. I plan to appeal the ticket due to this reasoning in court on November 29, 2001. The safey of other owners/drivers of these vehicles is what prompted me to write. I would like to know if there have been other failures. …
Airbag complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, 5% of the model year's 877 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 4 recalls for other components. 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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 46 crashes, 0 fires and 40 injuries and 3 deaths 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.