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 2002 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 30 MPH, the contact struck a deer and swerved into a ditch. His chest slammed into the steering wheel and was injured. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not retract. The driver's side bumper was crushed into the front grill all the way across to the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact called the insurance agent, but no police report was filed. He was the only occupant in the vehicle and the seat belt was worn properly at the time of the crash. There was no maintenance performed on the air bags or seat belt prior to the failures. The contact filed a complaint with GM concerning his air bags and seat belt (complaint number 71-670143505). GM is not taking responsibility for the air bag failure. In addition, no one came out to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 61,752.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions, a vehicle crashed into the front of the driver side. The contact was transported to the hospital after sustaining injuries to the head, neck and lip. The ambulance and police arrived and a police report was filed. The air bags failed to deploy with the massive level of impact. There were no warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel after the crash. The front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and the vehicle was repaired. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 55,000.
Consumer complained about having problems with the air bag deployment. Also, while driving vehicle was involved in a collision, and air bags did not deploy .passenger was driving at 50 MPH when passing over a bridge on a rainy day, and water from the river was splashed on the front windshield which caused the driver to loose control of the vehicle. Manufacture was not contacted at the time of this phone call.
I was at a complete stop at a red light when a young lady ran the light from the opposite direction. She hit another truck then crossed over into my lane hitting me on my right front bumper. Less than 3 seconds later the other truck hit me head on at 35-40 MPH head on. The impact was hard enough to throw me backwards into some motorcycles behind me. My frontal airbags did not deploy during either hit.
Truck somehow ran into a concrete fixture that supported a signal light. Estimated speed of head on collision into fixture was 25 - 30 MPH. Neither of dual air bags deployed with both driver and passenger making contact with dashboard. Driver stated that child's teeth print were on dash console. Entire bumper smashed back into engine, and steering wheel broke. Please describe details.
A piece of furniture was located in the middle of the highway while driving, causing the driver to hit the furniture. Driver lost control of a vehicle ,and it crashed into a concrete wall. Driver's side seat belt failed, and the airbags did not deploy. Driver refused medical attention at that time and went to the hospital on his own. Vehicle was towed by the insurance company.
Consumer was traveling about 20mph on a side street and there was a concrete pipe laying on the road, and without prior warning she hit the pipe. Airbags didn't go off. At dealership is aware of problem.the pipe was a broke off light pole. The frame on the vehicle is bent.
This truck was involved in a head on crash. I was running about 55 MPH and the other vehicle was running approximately 35 MPH. The truck was a total loss with most of the damage done to the front end.the drivers side air bag or the passenger air bag did not deploy. Mr
Consumer was involved in an accident where she was hit head on the right front side. The airbags failed to deploy. Consumer was told the airbags didnt have to deploy because the vehicle was stationary during both hits, consumer was injured in the accident.
While driving 45 MPH the driver attempted to avoid a deer in the street. As a result the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree head on. The consumer stated that,"neither frontal air bag did deployed on impact". The consumer will contact the dealer.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, 4% of the model year's 710 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Silverado airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 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 2002 Chevrolet Silverado airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 0 fires and 24 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.