General Motors recently issued another recall for select model years of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

The recall involves 410,019 vehicles that include 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models. In these vehicles, an airbag inflator in the roof rail (RRAB) may be defective, which could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. General Motors became aware of three incidents in June 2021, in which the RRAB in three 2015 model-year Silverado trucks ruptured while no one was inside the vehicles. One took place in Florida and two in Texas. On June 24, GM’s safety team decided to conduct a recall to remedy the problem.

2015 GMC Sierra ElevationEdition 076 scaled
2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition

Specific models affected include:

  • 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 222,890 units
  • 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500: 63,545 units
  • 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500: 95,284 units
  • 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500/3500: 28,300

If the end cap separates or a sidewall rupture occurs, the risk is that the compressed gas can escape and the end cap or other parts can be propelled outward, which could injure the vehicle’s occupants. The recall documentation notes that the cause of the problem is corrosion inside the inflator vessel caused by moisture introduced during the manufacturing process. The corrosion is aggravated by temperature changes in regions with warm weather.

Dealers were notified at the beginning of July and customers are scheduled to begin receiving notifications of the recall in mid-August.