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NHTSA Recall 21V051000: Inflator module (air bags)

General Motors, LLC reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 284,645 vehicles. It affects 14 models including the Cadillac Escalade.

284,645
vehicles potentially affected
14
models affected
2021
owners notified (May 11)
NHTSA campaign21V051000
Manufacturer campaignN212328770
ComponentAIR BAGS › FRONTAL › PASSENGER SIDE › INFLATOR MODULE
Report receivedFebruary 5, 2021
Owner notificationMay 11, 2021
Initiated byNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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." 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 May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

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 21V051000

Make and modelModel years
Cadillac Escalade2012
Cadillac Escalade ESV2012
Cadillac Escalade Ext2012
Chevrolet Avalanche2012
Chevrolet Silverado 15002012
Chevrolet Silverado 25002012
Chevrolet Silverado 35002012
Chevrolet Suburban2012
Chevrolet Tahoe2012
GMC Sierra 15002012
GMC Sierra 25002012
GMC Sierra 35002012
GMC Yukon2012
GMC Yukon XL2012

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.