Silverado Sierra recall: Scary airbag flaw revealed in 1,559
A Silverado Sierra recall covers 1,559 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups because roof-rail airbag inflators can crack and rupture, sending metal fragments into the cabin, according to Motor1.
General Motors is replacing the part on every truck in the batch, even though the company estimates only about 1 percent have the defect, Autoblog reported.
What the Silverado Sierra recall covers
The recall, filed as NHTSA campaign 26V611, covers 2016 and 2017 Silverado and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks built from April 30 to May 11, 2016, Motor1 reported. The trucks are from the third generation. The count breaks down this way:
- 723 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s
- 292 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500s
- 33 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500s
- Two 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s
- 329 2016 GMC Sierra 1500s
- 145 2016 GMC Sierra 2500s
- 33 2016 GMC Sierra 3500s
- Two 2017 GMC Sierra 1500s
What went wrong with the airbags
GM traced the problem to a small crack in the inflator canister combined with water left inside after the manufacturing wash, which can lead to stress-corrosion cracking, Autoblog reported. The issue surfaced after the owner of a 2016 Silverado 1500 reported a rupture on the left side on July 20, 2026. Occupants said their ears rang afterward, and no other injuries were reported.
It is not GM’s first roof-rail airbag recall this year. Motor1 said earlier recalls 26V166 and 26V325 addressed a similar problem, and that GM has recalled about 80,000 vehicles in 2026 before this filing. For other recent safety notices, see our coverage of a Ford Explorer suspension recall and how to spot fake recall text scams.
What owners should do
Dealers will replace the left and right roof-rail airbag modules at no cost, and GM plans to begin notifying owners Nov. 9, according to Autoblog. Owners can check their vehicle identification number on the NHTSA recalls site. Anyone with an affected truck should watch for a Silverado Sierra recall letter.
The Silverado Sierra recall is the latest safety action for the trucks. Readers who follow auto news can also see our look at the Ford Sweepstakes livery.