Recall 20V446 covers 769 2020 GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick vehicles for roof-rail air bag inflator defects. Repair is free at any franchised GMC dealer.
GMC is recalling 769 2020 vehicles, including the Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, and Acadia, because the roof-rail air bag inflator diffuser can separate during air bag deployment. If it separates, roof-rail air bag protection is reduced and injury risk rises in a crash; GMC dealers will repair the issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof-rail air bag is the curtain air bag mounted above the side windows on affected 2020 GMC vehicles, including Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, XT5, XT6, Enclave, Traverse, Blazer, and Acadia models. During a side impact or rollover event, its inflator fills the curtain air bag cushion so it can cover the window area and help protect occupants. A diffuser inside the inflator directs the gas into the cushion in a controlled way.
On the recalled vehicles, the diffuser was not properly crimped to the inflator during supplier assembly. That bad crimp lets the diffuser separate when the air bag deploys. If it separates, the loose diffuser can damage the air bag cushion during deployment, which means the roof-rail air bag does not deploy as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag inflator, so an owner will not see, hear, or feel it during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Covers GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick models from the 2020 model year, all tied to the side curtain air bag.
| 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Cadillac XT6 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Buick Enclave | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Chevrolet Traverse | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Cadillac XT5 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 Chevrolet Blazer | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 GMC Acadia | side curtain air bag |
| Units affected | 769 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The 2020 model year narrows the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the rear roof-rail air bag deploys and the diffuser separates from the inflator, the air bag can provide less protection. That raises the risk of injury in a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon, and confirm your VIN before arranging service. Repair is free at any franchised GMC dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 GMC vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised GMC dealer to schedule the free RRAB module replacement.
- Schedule the RRAB module replacement that fixes the roof-rail air bag inflator diffuser defect.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V446 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair because the roof-rail air bag inflator diffuser can separate during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a GMC technician replaces the suspect roof rail air bag modules covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all covered vehicles are under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 30, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 3, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 14, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V446?
Recall 20V446 covers 769 2020 GMC vehicles with roof-rail air bag inflators that can have an improperly crimped diffuser. If the diffuser separates during air bag deployment, side-curtain air bag performance can be reduced, increasing injury risk in a crash. Dealers replace the suspect modules for free.
What should I do if my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V446. If it is, contact a franchised GMC dealer to schedule replacement of the suspect roof-rail air bag modules. Reference GM recall number N202305380 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and GM's remedy for recall 20V446 is replacement of the suspect roof-rail air bag modules free of charge at a franchised dealer.
Is it safe to drive before the air bag repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. Recall 20V446 concerns roof-rail air bag performance during a crash, so the safer path is to confirm your VIN and schedule the free module replacement promptly if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this 2020 GMC vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you bought the vehicle used and never received the September 3, 2020 recall notice, check your VIN and reference recall 20V446 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V446000 |
|---|---|
| GMC customer service | 1-800-630-2438 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V446 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V446000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →