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Campaign 21V050 Posted February 5, 2021 2,641,272 units

2007-2011 GMC Sierra/Yukon Recall 21V050: Air Bag Inflator

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Recall 21V050 covers 2,641,272 2007-2011 GMC vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Free repair once GMC opens it.

GMC is recalling 2,641,272 2007-2011 Sierra 1500, Yukon, Tahoe, and related trucks and SUVs because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after long-term heat and humidity exposure. An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury or death; the GMC dealer repair will be free once the final remedy opens.

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What's wrong?

The affected 2007-2011 GMC trucks and SUVs use a passenger frontal air bag inflator inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for deployment, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and fill the passenger air bag fast enough to cushion the occupant. The inflator housing is supposed to contain that pressure while the bag opens.

These inflators contain non-desiccated PSAN propellant, which means the propellant does not have a drying agent built in. Long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling can break down that propellant. During deployment, the degraded propellant can create too much pressure inside the inflator, causing the metal inflator body to rupture instead of staying contained.

There is no warning sign before failure. The passenger air bag can appear normal until a crash deployment, so an owner will not have a dashboard light, sound, smell, or driving symptom that confirms the inflator has degraded.

Who's affected?

The scope crosses GMC, Chevrolet, and Cadillac nameplates from 2007-2011, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.

2010 GMC Sierra 3500 front air bag
2009 GMC Sierra 3500 front air bag
2011 GMC Yukon front air bag
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe front air bag
2008 GMC Yukon Xl front air bag
Units affected2,641,272
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before rupture, so confirm your VIN and arrange service when the remedy opens. Repair will be free at any franchised GMC dealer once GMC opens it.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2011 GMC Sierra 3500, Yukon, Tahoe, Yukon Xl, Suburban, Silverado, Avalanche, Escalade, or Sierra is included in this recall.
  2. Wait for the second owner letter before scheduling the passenger air bag inflator replacement that addresses inflators that can explode and send metal fragments into occupants.
  3. Contact a franchised GMC dealer after the final repair opens; the passenger air bag inflator replacement is free.
  4. Bring the recall notice if GMC has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V050 when you call.
  5. Avoid using the front passenger seat until the recall repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

GM sent interim safety-risk letters while the final repair was not yet ready. Once the remedy is available, a GMC technician will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. The final dealer repair will be free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. GM is not offering reimbursement for this campaign because the remedy was not available before the recall.

ReimbursementNo separate reimbursement

Timeline

February 5, 2021 NHTSA published the recall
February 5, 2021 Dealer notification began
February 5, 2021 Dealer notification ended
March 1, 2021 Owner notification mailed
March 1, 2021 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
March 1, 2021 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V050?

Recall 21V050 covers 2,641,272 2007-2011 GMC, Chevrolet, and Cadillac vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. Metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Dealers will replace the inflator for free once the remedy is available.

What should I do if my 2007-2011 GMC Yukon is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V050. If it is, contact a franchised GMC dealer and ask about the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 21V050 and GM recall number N212328760 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. GM says dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator free of charge once the remedy is available.

What is the safety risk?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment. If that happens, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. This recall is tied to heat and humidity exposure in listed states and territories.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN because this recall depends on the exact vehicle, model year, and where it was sold or registered.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V050000
GMC customer service1-800-222-1020
NHTSA recall #21V050
NHTSA recall # (full)21V050000

Source documents

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 →