Recall 21V246 covers 108 2010-2019 Enclave, Traverse, and Acadia vehicles with unsecured side curtain air bags. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick is recalling 108 2010-2019 Enclave, Traverse, and Acadia vehicles under recall 21V246 because the side curtain air bags are not properly attached. Unsecured side curtain air bags can fail to perform as intended in a crash, increasing injury risk, and Buick dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof-rail air bag is the side curtain air bag that sits above the side windows on Enclave, Traverse, and Acadia vehicles. Its fasteners hold the air bag module to the roof rail so it stays in the right position when it deploys during a crash.
On affected vehicles, the weld nuts used at those attachment points were damaged, out of position, or missing during assembly. Some repairs to those roof-rail air bag attachment points were not completed correctly. If the fasteners are missing or not secured, the air bag is not attached the way it was designed to be, and its crash performance is reduced in certain crash scenarios.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is hidden behind the headliner, so an owner will not hear, see, or feel the defect during normal driving.
Who's affected?
The shared point across the list is the roof rail air bag attachment hardware.
| 2010 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2011 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2011 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2011 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2012 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2014 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2015 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2017 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2012 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2012 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2013 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2013 Buick Enclave | air bag system |
| 2013 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2014 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2014 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2015 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2015 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2016 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2016 GMC Acadia | air bag system |
| 2017 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Traverse | air bag system |
| Units affected | 108 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unsecured side curtain air bags can fail to protect occupants as designed during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Schedule the dealer inspection and repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2019 Enclave, Traverse, or Acadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the free inspection and weld-nut repair that secures the side curtain air bags.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V246 when you call.
- Drive with care until the repair is complete, since unsecured side curtain air bags do not perform as intended in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician inspects the side curtain air bag attachment weld nuts and realigns or replaces any weld nuts that are not properly positioned. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you've already paid out of pocket for this air bag attachment repair, GM's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses according to the plan GM submitted. Bring receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Buick customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 8, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 8, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 8, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 24, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 24, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 24, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V246?
Recall 21V246 covers 108 2010-2019 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles with side curtain air bags that are not properly attached. Unsecured side curtain air bags can fail to perform as intended, increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and repair the fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2019 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, or GMC Acadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V246. If it is, contact a franchised dealer to schedule the side curtain air bag fastener inspection. The dealer will realign or replace the weld nuts if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and GM's remedy says dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that unsecured side curtain air bags can fail to perform as intended. That increases injury risk in a crash. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair before relying on the side curtain air bags to protect occupants.
When were owners notified about recall 21V246?
Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then reference recall 21V246 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V246000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V246 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V246000 |
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 →