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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Recall 21V054: Passenger air bag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

NHTSA campaign 21V054, reported February 5, 2021, 1,778,128 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The front passenger air bag inflator in these vehicles uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant, which can degrade after long exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling. Over time, the inflator may rupture or explode when the air bag deploys.

If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, which may result in serious injury or death. The risk depends on where and how long the vehicle has been exposed to humid, hot conditions, and the recall covers vehicles originally sold or registered in several states and regions.

GM will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no cost through an authorized dealer. Owners can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC at 1-800-462-8782, and can check their VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 21V054General Motors, LLC
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
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 A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Cadillac Escalade20102011201220132014
Cadillac Escalade ESV20102011201220132014
Cadillac Escalade EXT2010201120122013
Chevrolet Avalanche2010201120122013
Chevrolet Silverado 15002010201120122013
Chevrolet Silverado 250020102011201220132014
Chevrolet Silverado 350020102011201220132014
Chevrolet Suburban20102011201220132014
Chevrolet Tahoe20102011201220132014
GMC Sierra 15002010201120122013
GMC Sierra 250020102011201220132014
GMC Sierra 350020102011201220132014
GMC Yukon20102011201220132014
GMC Yukon XL20102011201220132014