Recall 16V651 covers 3,640,162 2014-2017 Chevrolet vehicles for SDM software that can disable front air bags and pretensioners. Free repair at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 3,640,162 2014-2017 vehicles under recall 16V651, including the Tahoe, Suburban, Corvette, Silverado 1500, and Trax, because SDM software can stop the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for the driver and front passenger, and Chevrolet dealers will complete the free software repair.
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What's wrong?
The sensing and diagnostic module, or SDM, is the crash-control computer in these 2014-2017 vehicles. It reads crash data and decides when to deploy the frontal airbags. It also controls the seat belt pretensioners, which tighten the belts at the start of a crash to help hold occupants in position.
The defect is in the SDM software, not in the airbag itself. A diagnostic oscillation test inside the software can be activated by vehicle movement just before a crash. In rare circumstances, that test interferes with the SDM's deployment decision, so the frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners do not deploy when they are needed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle can drive normally, and the problem appears only when the SDM has to make a crash-deployment decision.
Who's affected?
Includes Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick models across 2014-2017, with seat belt pretensioner and front air bag components named in the campaign.
| 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Suburban | seat belt |
| 2016 Chevrolet Suburban | front air bag |
| 2016 Chevrolet Suburban | front air bag |
| Units affected | 3,640,162 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners fail to deploy in a crash that requires deployment, the driver and front passenger face a higher risk of injury. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, drive with extra caution and schedule service promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Chevrolet vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free SDM software reflash that fixes the air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment issue.
- Tell the dealer if the vehicle had a previous air bag deployment; those vehicles need the SDM replaced instead of reflashed.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V651 when you call.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, since the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners fail to deploy in a crash that requires them.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician reflashes the sensing and diagnostic module software. If the vehicle already had an air bag deployment, the technician replaces the SDM instead of updating it. These repairs are free under the recall, including parts and labor. GM's reimbursement plan covers qualifying owners who already paid for related repairs before the recall work was completed. Bring repair invoices or other documentation to the service desk, or contact the GM customer service line for your vehicle brand to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 8, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 8, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 13, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V651?
Recall 16V651 covers 3,640,162 2014-2017 Chevrolet vehicles with air bag sensing and diagnostic module software that can run a diagnostic test during certain driving conditions. During that test, frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in a crash that requires deployment.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Chevrolet vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V651. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the SDM software reflash. If your vehicle had a previous air bag deployment, the dealer will replace the SDM. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. For recall 16V651, a franchised Chevrolet dealer will reflash the SDM software, or replace the SDM after a previous air bag deployment, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V651?
The risk is that frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in a crash that requires deployment. That increases injury risk for the driver and front passenger. The dealer repair fixes the SDM software condition tied to recall 16V651.
What if I bought the vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2014-2017 Chevrolet vehicle is included, then reference recall 16V651 when you call a franchised Chevrolet dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V651000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V651 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V651000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →