Skip to content

NHTSA Recall 21V050000: Inflator module (air bags)

General Motors, LLC reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 2,641,272 vehicles. It affects 14 models including the Cadillac Escalade.

2,641,272
vehicles potentially affected
14
models affected
2021
owners notified (March 1)
NHTSA campaign21V050000
Manufacturer campaignN212328760
ComponentAIR BAGS › FRONTAL › PASSENGER SIDE › INFLATOR MODULE
Report receivedFebruary 5, 2021
Owner notificationMarch 1, 2021
Initiated byNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." 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.

Safety 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 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. 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 N212328760.

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.

Vehicles covered by recall 21V050000

Make and modelModel years
Cadillac Escalade2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Cadillac Escalade ESV2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Cadillac Escalade Ext2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Avalanche2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Silverado 15002007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Silverado 25002009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Silverado 35002009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Suburban2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Chevrolet Tahoe2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
GMC Sierra 15002007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
GMC Sierra 25002009, 2010, 2011
GMC Sierra 35002009, 2010, 2011
GMC Yukon2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
GMC Yukon XL2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.