Recall Alert: 410,000 Chevy Silverado and Sierras Have Faulty Airbags
What in the world is going on with General Motors? A few massive recalls for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have recently come out. There is a new one for nearly 410,000 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks due to issues with the roof rail airbag.
GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 recall
If you have a 2015 – 2016 model-year GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500, or 3500, then you might need to take your truck back to the dealership to have a little maintenance done. The roof rail airbag inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or there could be a rupture in the inflator sidewall.
As a result, the separated inflator end cap or rupture may allow compressed air to escape, leading to the end cap or other components propelling into the cabin. This may increase the risk of injuries or crashing.
General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet and GMC, will send owners notification letters by August 16 if their truck is at risk. Owners will receive a second notification when a remedy is available. This is confusing wording. Does it mean a solution isn’t available right now?
What to do if your truck is at risk
You can call Chevrolet at 800-222-1020, GMC at 800-462-8782, or the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hotline at 888-327-4236 if you have any questions. You can also visit the NHTSA website here to enter your 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
If you have a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra model at risk, then dealers will replace the left and right roof rail airbag modules for free. On the bright side, this should be quick and easy, but we do have a few suggestions.
You don’t have to return to the same dealership where you purchased your truck for service. Any local dealership should be fine. Check ahead of time to make an appointment. This way, you can avoid having to wait around for hours. Also, check online or ask over the phone if any Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions are still being used.
What other General Motors recalls are there?
Recently, over 331,000 2017-2019 model-year Chevy Silverado and GMC pickups were recalled due to engine fire risks. This is for heavy-duty models, including the 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with the Duramax 6.6-liter diesel engines and the optional cord.
An electrical circuit short may occur in the engine block heater cable or terminals that are used to connect the heater cable to the block heater, increasing the risk of fire. But drivers shouldn’t panic.
Return to your local dealership for service. The block heater will be disabled for free. Then General Motors will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a different customer satisfaction campaign. Under a previous recall for these trucks, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted for free.
Also, in 2019, there was another recall for the 2020 Silverado and GMC Sierra. The seat belts were at risk of catching fire. The brackets come with a small opening that causes the pre-tensioners to vent hot gas after they deploy.
This could cause the carpet to catch fire. If your Silverado or Sierra 1500, 2500, or 3500 model is at risk, you should have been previously notified. The fix involved the pre-tensioner bracket being closed for free.
