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Campaign 21V054 Posted February 5, 2021 1,778,128 units

2010-2014 GMC Yukon/Sierra Recall 21V054: Inflator

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 24, 2026

Recall 21V054 covers 1,778,128 2010-2014 vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Final repair is free once GMC opens it.

GMC is recalling 1,778,128 2010-2014 Yukon, Escalade Ext, Suburban, Tahoe, Sierra 2500, Silverado 2500, and related trucks and SUVs under recall 21V054 because their passenger frontal airbag inflators contain PSAN propellant that can degrade and explode. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death, and the dealer repair will be free once GMC opens it.

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What's wrong?

The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these 2010-2014 GMC vehicles is the metal canister inside the passenger airbag module. Its job is to create gas quickly during a crash deployment so the airbag fills in a controlled way between the passenger and the instrument panel.

The recalled inflators use non-desiccated phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant, which means the chemical charge does not have a drying agent built in. After long exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature cycling, that propellant can degrade. If the airbag deploys after that breakdown, the inflator can rupture instead of opening normally.

There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits hidden inside the passenger airbag module, so an owner will not hear, smell, or feel the propellant condition changing before an airbag deployment.

Who's affected?

Covers pickups and full-size SUVs across the 2010-2014 model years, all tied to the front passenger air bag inflator module.

2011 GMC Yukon front air bag
2013 Cadillac Escalade Ext front air bag
2013 Chevrolet Suburban front air bag
2012 Chevrolet Suburban front air bag
2010 Chevrolet Suburban front air bag
Units affected1,778,128
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 other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so if your VIN is included, contact a GMC dealer for current instructions and act once the repair 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 2010-2014 GMC vehicle is included in this recall.
  2. Watch for GMC's repair notice before scheduling the final passenger air bag inflator replacement.
  3. Call GMC customer service at 1-800-222-1020 with questions and reference recall number 21V054.
  4. Keep the recall notice with your vehicle records so the dealer can match your VIN to the passenger air bag inflator repair.
  5. Avoid using the front passenger seat until a franchised GMC dealer completes the free inflator replacement.

What happens at the repair

Because campaign 21V054 is marked interim, the final dealer replacement is not treated as open for scheduling yet. The known repair path is a front passenger air bag inflator replacement. Once available, a GMC technician replaces the original inflator with an alternate inflator, and parts and labor are covered under the recall. GM is not offering reimbursement for this campaign because a 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 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
May 11, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V054?

Recall 21V054 covers 1,778,128 2010-2014 GMC vehicles with passenger front air bag inflators that can explode after long exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. GMC dealers will replace the inflator for free once the repair is open.

What should I do if my 2010-2014 GMC Yukon or Sierra is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V054. If it is, contact a franchised GMC dealer and ask whether the passenger front air bag inflator replacement is ready for your VIN. Reference recall number 21V054 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost. GMC dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with an alternate inflator free of charge once the remedy is open for your VIN.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is an inflator explosion during passenger front air bag deployment. If the inflator ruptures, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Check your VIN, then ask a GMC dealer for the repair status tied to your vehicle.

What if I bought this GMC vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you never received GM's mailed notices from February 25, 2021, May 11, 2021, or January 24, 2022, check your VIN and reference recall 21V054 when you call a GMC dealer.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V054000
GMC customer service1-800-222-1020
NHTSA recall #21V054
NHTSA recall # (full)21V054000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →