Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 32 | 40% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 22 | 42% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 25 | 45% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 40 | 40% | 110,000 miles |
| 2007 | 63 | 33% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 190,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2001 | 3 | 3% | 160,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 25% | 126,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle developed two cracks on the top of the dashboard assembly. One crack is located on the passenger side of the vehicle, running from the forward-left corner of the passenger side airbag to the defroster vent. The other crack is on the driver side, inboard and slightly forward of the instrument panel "hump." cracks discovered while vehicle was stationary. I understand this to be common, known manufacturer defect for this vehicle and related general motors vehicles (e.g., GMC yukon, yukon xl, avalanche, tahoe, etc.). This is a safety issue due to the location of the cracks potentially affecting passenger side airbag deployment, creating a dangerous shards of flying plastic in the event of a passenger side airbag deployment, the potential negative impact on the structural integrity of the dashboard and subsequent non-compliant performance during a collision, and potential dust and …
The dashboard on my 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 has cracked in two locations. Both of these locations would be effected by an airbag activation with high potential for flying sharp plastic fragments that a) pierce the airbag or prevent its proper inflation or, b) injure or kill front seat passengers. Open-source research indicates this is a widespread and pervasive issue with general motors vehicles of similar design (Suburban, tahoe, silverado, avalanche, etc...) stretching over a period of several years-- at least effecting model years 2007 thru 2013 or more. Furthermore, every GM service center has experienced so many of these dashboard cracks that replacement of these parts has become routine. GM views this inherent design flaw as a warranty issue, not the endemic problem it actually is with potential for injury.
Dashboard has begun to crack in numerous areas, 1 area that is very concerning is right by the passenger airbag which I feel concerned that if it were to inflate the dashboard would would send projectiles flying. The dash is also cracking severely above the instrument cluster. Upon research this is a issue that the internet is flooded with and GM refuses to address the problem. I contacted GM in regards to this issue and they refuse to take responsibility although at a dealethis ship when I went looking around 4 out of the 5 vehicles for sale on the lot had the same cracks in the same places. I need help from NHTSA to resolve this issue before my family is put in danger in the event of a vehicle accident. This crack seemed to occur when the weather got cold, I turned on my heat and the desk immediately cracked. This is flawed equipment and we as consumers should not have to deal with it.
The dashboard has cracked in two locations, at the corner of the passenger airbag cover, and in front of the instrument column. This is greatly concerning because it could cause the airbag to malfunction, or cause other debris from the dashboard to come loose in an accident. This is a known issue and yet no recall has been issued. When in motion the dashboard vibrates violently because the two cracks have compromised the structural integrity and support. The vibrating also causes a significant rattle.
Takata recall - I object to GM filing a petition for inconsequentiality. GM's own website states"the propellant in some types of Takata airbag inflators can degrade over time, especially after long term exposure in hot and humid regions. If the propellant degrades to a certain level, the inflators May rupture during deployment, causing serious or fatal injuries." as the vehicle has been located in southeast florida since I purchased it new, it has been subject to both heat and humidity nearly continually since original purchase. GM and Takata should not be able to avoid the responsibility to restore my vehicle to a safe condition.
Takata recall: failure to act on recall on this seven year old vehicle, by manufacture and pine belt Chevrolet, lakewood, new jersey. Have call the dealer given a case number [redacted]. This is the second case number issued. In July was told by pine belt parts were on order, now all they will give is case number. I want this on record, that I hold Chevrolet, pine belt Chevrolet, and ntsb responsible for not getting these vehicles repaired. Chevrolet should be required to replace these vehicle with new one. Thank you for your time; [redacted]
Takata recall - I'm the owner of a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 ltz. Two years ago I received a letter saying that the Takata air bags were subject to recall due to explosive hazards, but said that we should continue to drive the Suburban as usual (? - does that make any sense?) and that it was illegal to disconnect them even though they might kill you if they exploded! Does that make any sense? (not to me!) I am a grandfather with two precious grandchildren. We go camping with them and my grandson who is 14 and six feet tall often sits in the front passenger seat even though we've told him to sit in only the rear seats ('I'm not a child anymore grandpa'). GM has plenty of time to replace these airbags. We live in indiana we're the spring summer humidity is over 80% on a regular daily basis. …
I was driving on 7th ave and a car ran a stop sign at an intersection. It was dark early morning. I hit the car coming across and drove it into a tree.the driver in the camry had to be cut out of her car . My car had the front end severely damaged. Almost $10,000 damage to my car. The airbags did not activate. I asked the body shop doing the work and the state farm insurance claims person about why they did not work and was told the accident May not have been severe enough or the angle we hit did not require them to deploy. The driver in the other car went to the hospital. And I had knee surgery. I do not know the status of her injuries. I wonder why my airbags did not deploy at such a collision and if there are other suburbans out there with the same problem the owner just doesn't know or won't know til a collision.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban 1500 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (63), 2008 (40), 2011 (32), 2009 (25) and 2010 (22) model years. Airbag complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban 1500 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles; 11% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (6 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (4).
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.