Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact is an attorney who was representing a client who owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at an intersection, the front end of the vehicle crashed into the side of another vehicle, where it came to a stop. The contact stated that the passenger side dash air bag ruptured, related to a Takata Inflator. The driver's side air bag deployed as well. The vehicle speed was undisclosed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. A police report was filed. Both the driver and passenger were injured in the accident. The injuries sustained were lacerations to the passenger's leg and hearing trauma to both the driver and passenger. It was unknown if the occupants of the other vehicle were injured. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Tl-contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra --- received tk holdings letter --- had not contacted GM regarding air bag replacement ---- contact was in accident when vehicle was six months old and drivers side airbag deployed in accident... Vehicle was fixed due to low mileage and vehicle only being six months old...... Side air bag also deployed in accident... Contact took truck back to GM and GM stated nothing was wrong with unsown airbag.... 1recallsassociated with this VIN... Cb
Takata recall - NHTSA recall #16V381 called the GM customer assistance center toll-free line in July 2016, they recommended me to take my vehicle to the nearest GMC dealer. Took my truck to powell watson GMC dealer in laredo, texas on July 2016 and they informed me that GM had not yet figured out a replacement part and that a replacement part was not available at the time. Again on jan 2, 2017, I took my truck to the same dealer for the same issue and they responded to me that there was no cure for the safety air bag issue that my truck was being brought in. The GMC dealer was not giving me eta on the replacement part. And the safety concern was not being resolved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. After starting the vehicle, the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to yates Buick GMC (13845 w test dr, Goodyear, az 85338) where it was diagnosed that a crimped wire leading to the air bag had caused a short, and the wire needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that if the indicator illuminated after the repair, the air bag would also need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would replace the air bag at a reduced cost. The approximate failure mileage was 58,500.
Around 37,000 miles a crack appeared on the passenger side dash, around the passenger airbag. There are now 3 cracks around the airbag and these cracks could potentially result in a tear in the airbag during deployment, rendering the airbag ineffective in preventing injury during an accident. From online searches, it appears this might have been a design issue on the 2010 model that was fixed starting with the 2011 trucks. The dealer informed me that there is no recall. I feel that due to the possible safety issue associated with this, the dashes for this model year of Sierra should be fixed by GM.
Cracked dash left top corner of passenger air bag area. Same as everyone else on here. Replaced drivers side seat motor at$132. Replaced drivers side rear window regulator at $165 with labor at $60. Replaced both door handles at $89 with labor at $60. Had to rent a car for 4 days in the amount of $285. This all happened in nov. And dec. Of 2015. None of which is covered by my extended warranty purchased from dealer. Also the paint is bubbling around the rear cargo light. Also not covered under my "paint warranty". At the time of all this happening we had less than 65,000 miles on the vehicle.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. Upon starting the vehicle and driving, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact also received notification from tk holdings, alerting her that Takata filed for bankruptcy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Takata recall. Dashboard began cracking on both drivers side and passengers side. Dealership said it was a common problem on their vehicles and used to have a solution in place where the customer would pay $100 and the manufacturer would pay the rest to have it replaces but had since done away with that deal. I imagine cause it was costing them more than they had thought. Asked if my extended warranty would cover it and after speaking to a representative it was determined that the extended warranty also did not cover this defect.
Noticed a crack developed in the dash, at the passenger airbag seam, shortly after the bumper to bumper warranty ended. Still had roughly a year left on the powertrain warranty when the issue occurred. The dealer stated that there was no recall or anything they could do, but also stated that they had seen many trucks with this same issue. 3 years old and the dash has already cracking??? Concerned there May be an issue, if the airbag ever has to deploy. Would have reported it sooner, if I knew about this sight.
The dash on my truck began cracking at around 36,000 miles and I was told that there was nothing that could be done as my truck was outside of the warranty coverage. Since then I have had many additional cracks and have heard that the cracked dash ends up breaking apart and becoming shrapnel in the vehicle in the event of an airbag deployment. This is a common issue on these vehicles and I think GM should offer recall and initiate a free or reduced cost replacement of these dash panels to prevent injuries.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500, 46% of the model year's 168 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 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 GMC Sierra 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire 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.