Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I wanted to express a concern regarding my vehicle. There are several wires exposed on my dashboard where multiple cracks have developed over time. I have been hesitant to bring the vehicle in for the airbag recall replacement because I am concerned that the existing damage to the dashboard could worsen during the repair process. My primary worry is that additional cracking could expose more wiring to heat, which may increase the risk of electrical issues, wire corrosion, or even a potential fire hazard. I would appreciate any guidance on how this situation could be addressed safely while completing the necessary recall work. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your advice on the best next steps.
To Whom It May Concern, I have a 2010 Tahoe LTZ which has a cracked dashboard. I have called around to get this fixed and this is very expensive at the dealership for over $1500. I had checked around and found out that this is a common issue with certain types of GM vehicles and mine is on the list. I will like for this to be replaced by GM because because this is truly a safety issue because the cracks are on the driver side near the airbags. Thank you, [redacted]
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I contacted Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clairmont Fl and was informed by them they can do air bag recall. But I must sign a waver if the dash crackes in the process they are not responsible for damages and I will have to pay for dash if I want it fixed. Why would I be responsible if this is a recall.I contacted Chevrolet and was informed its a case by case thing and they will not guarantee dash being fixed. Why would I want to chance this.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000(Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I have 2 GM vehicles that the Airbag light came on within 3 days of each other and neither has had any such issue ever. [redacted] 2010 Chevy Tahoe LTZ with 285,000 miles [redacted] 2011 Chevy Silverado LS with only 88,500 miles Local dealership wants $180.00 each just to check out the issue I just think this is very coincidental.
The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notifications and cards of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.
I got into a bad accident 3 weeks ago. I flipped 4 times and not one air bag deployed. I suffer some injuries.
Dashboard has been cracking around passenger side airbag area, concerning me that if god forbid an accident happened and the airbag was deployed on passenger side, shards of this cracked dashboard could be dispersed into the area, causing possible laceration or fatal harm to passenger and driver. When investigating, I found this to be very common in this vehicle make and model, with many many people( thousands of them) posting pictures and describing the same issue in "the exact same spots"!!!!. Also, the cracks seem to happen over the steering column in addition to the passenger airbag, causing more safety concerns that driving components could now be exposed to damaging heat and ice rays affecting driving safety. I have brought this issue to GM dealership where I purchased car, and they have ignored me. I have also called corporate, and they have also offered no assistance. …
Takata recall has been an ongoing, unresolvable issue since it began. The dealer has no insight as to when, if ever, it will be fixed. They say to keep watching the NHTSA/GM boards for updates. Other issue is the dashboard & its cracking. I had filed with the NHTSA in 2017 with the original crack that happened by the passenger airbag (your tracking number assigned by NHTSA for this issue is 10939141), but am adding this site now. Additionally, the dash has cracked behind the driver's "pod", connections have let loose for the middle portion of the dash allowing it to flap over bumps & the latest is the new metallic rattle that has begun somewhere behind the instrument cluster/dash area. …
Related recalls
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 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 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.
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.
Rollover Side Curtain Air Bags
In June 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition in response to a petition (see ODI 10568388) requesting a defect investigation of several alleged defects that can cause occupant ejections during rollover crashes in certain General Motors vehicles.The petition focused on a 2011 Texas crash involving a model year 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, which allegedly resulted in multiple occupants…
Airbag complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 115 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, 37% of the model year's 314 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-053 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-054 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.