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Campaign 21V053 Posted February 5, 2021 692,526 units

2009, 2010, 2013 Chevrolet Trucks Recall 21V053: Airbag

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

Recall 21V053 covers 692,526 2009, 2010, 2013 Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC trucks and SUVs for air bag inflators. Free repair once Chevrolet opens it.

Chevrolet is recalling 692,526 2009, 2010, 2013 Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado 1500, and Avalanche vehicles under recall 21V053 because an air bag inflator can explode. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, and the dealer repair will be free once Chevrolet opens the final remedy.

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What's wrong?

The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger airbag module. When a crash sensor commands the passenger airbag to deploy, the inflator burns propellant to produce gas and fill the airbag in front of the passenger. This recall covers certain 2009, 2010, 2013 Chevrolet vehicles, including Tahoe, Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, and Suburban.

The original Takata passenger inflator uses non-desiccated ammonium nitrate propellant, meaning the propellant does not contain a drying agent. Moisture and heat exposure are the concern with this inflator type. If the inflator deploys, the propellant burn can create abnormal pressure inside the metal housing, which is why the repair replaces the inflator with one that does not contain that propellant.

There is no warning sign before failure. The airbag warning light is not a reliable way to know whether this recall applies, so the VIN decides inclusion.

Who's affected?

Covers Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs from the 2009, 2010, and 2013 model years, all tied to the same passenger front air bag inflator module.

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe front air bag
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe front air bag
2010 GMC Yukon Xl front air bag
2013 GMC Sierra 1500 front air bag
2010 GMC Sierra 1500 front air bag
Units affected692,526

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 passenger air bag inflator ruptures, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before an inflator rupture. Confirm your VIN and contact a Chevrolet dealer for interim guidance while the final repair is being prepared. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once Chevrolet opens it.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2009, 2010, or 2013 Chevrolet vehicle is included in this recall.
  2. Watch for the next Chevrolet notice because the final passenger air-bag inflator repair is not listed as available yet.
  3. Keep the recall notice with the vehicle and reference recall number 21V053 when you contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer.
  4. Ask the Chevrolet dealer when the free passenger air-bag inflator replacement opens and whether interim guidance applies to your vehicle.
  5. Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-458-8006 with questions about recall number 21V053.

What happens at the repair

Until GM opens the final repair, the recall remains in interim status. Once available, a Chevrolet technician will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. GM is not offering pre-notice reimbursement for this campaign because the remedy was not available before the recall. If your VIN is included, keep the recall number N212328790 handy when calling the dealer or Chevrolet customer service.

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 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
May 11, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V053?

Recall 21V053 covers 692,526 Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs with a front passenger air bag inflator that can explode. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Chevrolet dealers will replace the inflator for free once the final remedy is open.

What should I do if my 2009, 2010, or 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V053. If it is, call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference recall 21V053 or GM recall N212328790. The dealer repair is free once the final remedy is available.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge once the final remedy is available. Parts and labor are covered for included VINs.

Is it safe to drive before the air bag inflator is replaced?

This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is still serious: an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Confirm your VIN, keep your dealer appointment, and ask the dealer what to do if you are worried about driving before repair.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and give recall 21V053 or GM recall N212328790 to the Chevrolet dealer service desk.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V053000
Chevrolet customer service1-800-458-8006
NHTSA recall #21V053
NHTSA recall # (full)21V053000

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 →