# Chevrolet Silverado airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 50 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (16) - **Related recalls:** 14 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 50 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Chevrolet Silverado (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (16). There are **14 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Chevrolet Silverado airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 13 | 1193 | 1% | | 2016 | 6 | 801 | 1% | | 2017 | 16 | 839 | 2% | | 2018 | 2 | 522 | 0% | | 2019 | 1 | 1097 | 0% | | 2020 | 3 | 749 | 0% | | 2021 | 8 | 855 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 656 | 0% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Chevrolet Silverado recalls related to the airbag warning light **[26V611000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V611000)** (2016-2017 models, reported 2026-09-24): A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 21, 2026. **[26V325000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V325000)** (2018 models, reported 2026-05-21): A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. **[26V166000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V166000)** (2018 models, reported 2026-03-19): A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. **[25V432000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V432000)** (2018 models, reported 2025-06-26): A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025. **[24V756000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V756000)** (2018 models, reported 2024-10-10): A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. **[22V873000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V873000)** (2022 models, reported 2022-11-23): An SDM in manufacturing mode will not deploy the vehicle's air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. **Remedy:** Dealers returned the vehicles to the GM assembly plant and the sensing diagnostic modules were activated. The vehicles had not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. **[21V495000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V495000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-07-01): The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. **[21V504000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V504000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2021-07-01): A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II... **[20V736000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V736000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2020-11-25): If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. **[20V446000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V446000)** (2020 models, reported 2020-07-30): If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. **[18V868000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V868000)** (2019 models, reported 2018-12-06): In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2018. **[17V437000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V437000)** (2015-2017 models, reported 2017-07-10): A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. **[16V651000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V651000)** (2015-2017 models, reported 2016-09-08): A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. **[15V830000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V830000)** (2016 models, reported 2015-12-10): If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Chevrolet Silverado owners report - "As far as earlier stated about the airbag warning, the dealership said it was a glitch in OnStar trying to do an update which may have shorted out the Forward Collision module. Well, the truck is in for repair again for the same problem. In addition, the truck will lock randomly with the key fob inside the truck...." -- owner of a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2022 - "Air bag light was on , took to dealership because this was absolutely a safety hazard! The left front crash sensor is defective." -- owner of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2026 - "Looses all connections to phone, maps, bluetooth etc...., then out of the blue today the airbag light and service safety restraint system warning came on! This is so dangerous and is going to cause me to have a wreck!" -- owner of a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2020 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Silverado airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 14 related recalls (26V611000, 26V325000, 26V166000, 25V432000, 24V756000, 22V873000, 21V495000, 21V504000, 20V736000, 20V446000, 18V868000, 17V437000, 16V651000, 15V830000) covering 2015-2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Chevrolet Silverado years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2021 Silverado model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 16 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Silverado with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Silverado warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/chevrolet-silverado): 5 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-silverado): 100 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/chevrolet-silverado): 58 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Chevrolet Silverado - [Chevrolet Silverado specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-silverado) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-silverado Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.