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NHTSA Recall 21V052000: Inflator module (air bags)

General Motors, LLC reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 557,023 vehicles. It affects 14 models including the Cadillac Escalade.

557,023
vehicles potentially affected
14
models affected
2021
owners notified (September 20)
NHTSA campaign21V052000
Manufacturer campaignN212328780
ComponentAIR BAGS › FRONTAL › PASSENGER SIDE › INFLATOR MODULE
Report receivedFebruary 5, 2021
Owner notificationSeptember 20, 2021
Initiated byNHTSA Office of Defects Investigation

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." 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 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 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 N212328780.

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 21V052000

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

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.