General Motors recalled 410,019 pickups, model years 2015 and 2016 of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, over roof rail airbag inflators. The recall record says an inflator end cap may separate or a sidewall may split.
In mid-June 2021, inflators in three parked 2015 Silverados ruptured with no one inside. The record says parts could reach the cabin and injure an occupant.
No published court case names this defect so far. A recall is not a finding of liability. Dealers replace the airbag modules at no cost, and owners can check a VIN online.
- Case or litigation name: No filed case
- Defendants: None named in a filed case; General Motors, LLC is the recalling manufacturer
- Court and docket number, when available: No filed case
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL
- Filing date: No filing yet
- Main allegations: No lawsuit allegations; the recall record describes roof-rail airbag inflator end cap separation or sidewall split
- Products or people involved: 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups, 410,019 trucks in all
Table Of Contents
Latest GM RoofRail Airbag Failure Lawsuit Updates
April 2, 2026: Newer Trucks Recalled
SlashGear reported on April 2, 2026 that General Motors recalled about 2,819 Silverado and Sierra trucks from model years 2018 and 2019 in March 2026 [1].
A consumer complaint filed February 10, 2026 described a roof rail airbag rupture in a parked 2018 Silverado 1500. Notification letters were due by May 4. These trucks are outside the 2015 and 2016 models in recall 21V-504.
August 16, 2021: Owner Notification Planned
General Motors planned to begin interim owner notification letters for recall 21V-504 on August 16, 2021. It filed that date with NHTSA in its Part 573 report [2].
The letters ask owners to contact a GM dealer for a service appointment as soon as possible. They followed the July 1 filing, when GM notified dealers.
July 1, 2021: GM Files Recall 21V-504
General Motors filed recall 21V-504 with NHTSA on July 1, 2021. It covers 410,019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, and dealers were notified the same day.
The filing followed three inflator ruptures in unoccupied trucks in June 2021. The Part 573 report names Joyson Safety Systems as the component manufacturer. It lists the affected models, production dates and part numbers.
June 24, 2021: GM Decides to Recall
General Motors’ Safety and Field Action Decision Authority decided on June 24, 2021 to conduct a safety recall. The decision followed three roof rail airbag inflator ruptures in unoccupied 2015 Silverados.
The ruptures were reported on June 15, June 21 and June 22. One truck was in Florida and two were in Texas. GM filed the recall report on July 1.
December 22, 2020: Earlier Recall Reported
MotorSafety.org reported on December 22, 2020 that General Motors recalled 9,279 vehicles with roof-rail airbags. The recall covered 2015-2016 Silverado and Sierra trucks whose airbag end caps may detach [3].
GM was aware of two cases of end caps detaching, and no injuries had been reported at that time, according to the report.
November 25, 2020: Stop Delivery Begins
General Motors placed the first affected trucks on stop delivery on November 25, 2020. That action fell under recall 20V736, the earlier recall that was later folded into recall 21V-504.
GM bulletin N202324251, dated May 2022, lists the vehicles involved, the stop delivery date and the NHTSA number 20V736. The same bulletin carries the owner letter [4].
What Is a Roof Rail Airbag?
According to GM’s recall FAQ, the roof-rail airbag inflators sit on the left and right roof rails above the headliner [5].
Each airbag runs on an inflator that fills it with compressed gas during a crash. The recall covers inflators made for General Motors by Joyson Safety Systems.
Who May Be Affected?
Recall 21V-504 covers 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups. They were built from March 28, 2015 through July 10, 2016, and production windows vary by model.
The recall counts 222,890 Silverado 1500 trucks, 63,545 Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks, 95,284 Sierra 1500 trucks and 28,300 Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. Only an individual legal review can say whether you may qualify for a claim.
Reported Injuries or Damages
GM reported that in mid-June 2021 an inflator in three 2015 Silverados ruptured while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. This is the manufacturer’s report to the regulator and not a court finding.
NHTSA’s record says an end cap or other parts can be propelled into the vehicle. That could cause an occupant injury if the vehicle is occupied.
The same Part 573 report, filed July 1, 2021, gives the cause as corrosion inside the inflator vessel. Moisture entered during the supplier’s manufacturing process, and thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions aggravated it.
Recall and Regulatory Background
Recall 21V-504 carries GM number N202324251, and dealers replace the left and right roof rail airbag modules. Transport Canada recall 2020-576 is the Canadian number for the first recall, NHTSA 20V736.
Evidence to Preserve
These records may help a lawyer review a vehicle-defect matter:
- Your vehicle identification number (VIN), model year and trim level for the truck in question
- Recall notice letters from GM and the dealer service record showing the roof rail airbag replacement
- Purchase or lease paperwork for the truck, plus repair invoices and any removed parts the dealer returns
- Photographs of any damaged headliner, end cap or airbag parts from the truck
- Medical records and bills after any injury, along with any police or incident reports
- Messages with GM, the dealer or the insurer about the airbag, the recall or a claim
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where you live and with when the injury or loss happened.
A claim filed after the deadline passes may be barred, however strong the facts are. A lawyer can check the deadline that applies, so it is worth asking promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Made the Recalled Inflators?
Key Safety Systems made the recalled inflators, and the company is now Joyson Safety Systems. GM’s report to NHTSA says the affected inflators came from the supplier’s plant in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
How Can Owners Check Their Truck for the Recall?
Owners can check their truck for the recall by entering the VIN at my.gm.com/recalls or vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin. Chevrolet Customer Assistance is 1-800-630-2438, and GMC is 1-866-996-9463.
How Long Does the GM Recall Repair Take?
How long the GM recall repair takes is listed in the owner letter at about 3 hours and 20 minutes of correction time. Owners can ask a dealer to book the appointment for their truck.
Which Part Numbers Are in the Recall?
The recall lists part numbers 84487867, 84487868, 84487863, 84487864, 84487865 and 84487866 as the recalled components. Owners can ask a dealer to match these numbers against the airbag modules in their truck.
What Does the Research Say About the Inflator Defect?
The research on the inflator defect is GM’s own report. GM told NHTSA the inflators “may contain a manufacturing defect that may result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split.” No court has ruled on that defect.
How Can Owners Contact NHTSA About a Recall?
Owners can contact NHTSA about a recall through the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The same hotline can answer questions about recall numbers that apply to a particular truck.
References
- https://www.slashgear.com/2138196/gm-pickup-truck-airbag-recall-silverado-sierra
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V504-9818.PDF
- https://www.motorsafety.org/sierra-and-silverado-trucks-recalled-for-airbag-inflator-issue/
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCSB-21V504-2501.pdf
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RMISC-21V504-7004.pdf