Recall Alert: Chevy and GMC Trucks Are at Risk of Airbags Going Off For No Reason
Ru Chen
· 3 min read
Airbags are good for reducing injury in
car accidents
, but they can be highly disruptive if they deploy randomly. Unfortunately (or fortunately from a safety perspective), Chevrolet and GMC trucks
are being recalled because of concerns about airbag deployments. 
The problem of accidental airbags
Consumer Reports
announced that General Motors is recalling a group of trucks that have a risk of random airbag deployment. This is due to reports of three vehicles that experienced random airbag ruptures in June 2021. It appeared that the roof-rail airbag inflator would deploy without a collision occurring and propel parts into the cabin.
After close inspection, General Motors determined that the cause of these incidents is a problem with the inflator. During manufacturing, moisture was introduced into the inflator, causing corrosion over time. This has been worsened by temperature changes in hot places.
This recall affects 410,019 trucks and supplants a recall notice from November 2020 about the same issue. That recall was smaller in scale, including only 9,279 trucks.
MORE: How to Have an Airbag Installed in Your Car
Recalled Chevy and GMC truck models
Recalled vehicles: 2015 and 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks.
The problem: The roof-rail airbag inflator end cap may detach from the inflator. The inflator sidewall may rupture. Potential risks of the end cap or other parts being propelled into the vehicle randomly.
What the dealers will do to fix it: The left and right side roof-rail airbag modules will be replaced, free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Reach Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 888-988-7267.
NHTSA campaign number: 21V504000.
General Motor’s number for this recall: N202324251.
How to check if your vehicle has been included in a recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the federal agency that deals with safety issues and recalls. To see if there is a recall notice for your vehicle, go to
NHTSA
and type in your unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). If your vehicle is in any open recall, the search results will let you know.
Cases where they may not show the recall:
- The recall is 15+ years old
- It’s for an international vehicle
- It’s for an ultra-luxury brand/specialty applications
- Very recently announced recalls (check back later)
What to do if your vehicle gets recalled
It can be unsettling to know your vehicle has been included in a recall due to production issues completely out of your control.
The good news is that your vehicle being recalled means that the identified problem will be fixed for you at no cost by your dealer (if they refuse to do so, you can file a complaint with the manufacturer).
Ultimately, recalls are fairly common and made with the safety of drivers in mind. Keep an eye out for the
recall alerts
to stay up-to-date. Jerry
can help keep you protected against unexpected accidents. The free app is a licensed broker that gathers competitive quotes from name-brand companies. It can help you find affordable rates fast and switch policies.
