Recall 21V495 affects 12 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks for missing driver air bag cover tabs. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 12 2021 Silverado 1500 trucks because the driver's side front air bag module is missing one or more metal tabs that secure the plastic cover to the housing. The defect can keep the air bag from deploying properly in a crash, which raises injury risk, and Chevrolet dealers will repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag module in the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sits inside the steering wheel. It holds the folded air bag, the metal housing, and the plastic cover that faces the driver. Metal tabs on the housing secure that cover so the module stays together and deploys as designed in a crash.
On affected trucks, the housing is missing one or more of those metal tabs. GM traced the problem to operator error at a supplier, where fully processed housings were put back into production and tabs were bent or sheared off. With tabs missing, the plastic cover is not secured to the housing the way it was built to be.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the air bag module, so the truck can look and drive normally until the module is inspected.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Missing tabs on the driver frontal air bag can keep the air bag from deploying properly in a crash, increasing injury risk for the driver. Because this defect involves crash deployment, treat the VIN check and dealer inspection as the deciding steps. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free driver frontal air bag inspection and replacement if needed (the dealer checks for missing cover tabs that affect proper deployment).
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one, or reference recall number 21V495 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair; the missing air bag cover tabs can prevent proper deployment in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician inspects the driver frontal air bag module and checks whether the plastic air bag cover is properly secured to the housing. If the module is missing the metal tabs described in the recall, the technician replaces the air bag module. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. 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 Chevrolet service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 29, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 16, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 16, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V495?
Recall 21V495 covers 12 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles with a driver frontal air bag module that has missing metal tabs securing the plastic cover to the housing. The defect can prevent proper air bag deployment in a crash, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V495. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the driver frontal air bag inspection. The dealer will replace the air bag if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Chevrolet dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag and replace it if necessary, with parts and labor covered under recall 21V495.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is improper driver frontal air bag deployment in a crash. The missing tabs can keep the air bag cover from staying secured to the housing, increasing injury risk for the driver. Use the VIN check before scheduling service.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Silverado 1500 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Silverado 1500 is included, then reference recall 21V495 when you call a franchised Chevrolet dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V495000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V495 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V495000 |
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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →