Recall 21V504 covers 410,019 2015-2016 Silverado and Sierra trucks for roof-rail air bag inflator failures. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 410,019 2015-2016 Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 trucks under recall 21V504 because the roof-rail air bag inflator end cap can detach or the inflator sidewall can rupture. Compressed gas can send parts into the cabin, increasing the risk of injury or crash, and Chevrolet dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof rail air bag sits along the upper side of the cabin on the 2015-2016 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Silverado 2500, Sierra 3500, and Silverado 3500 trucks. Its inflator is a sealed metal vessel that stores gas for the curtain air bag, which deploys along the side windows during certain crashes.
On affected trucks, moisture entered the inflator vessel during the supplier's manufacturing process. Heat cycling in high-temperature regions aggravated corrosion inside the vessel. That corrosion weakens the inflator body, so the end cap can detach or the inflator sidewall can rupture and suddenly release the stored gas.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue was found after inflators ruptured while trucks were parked, unoccupied, and not in use, so an owner should not expect a warning light, sound, smell, or change in how the truck drives before the inflator fails.
Who's affected?
Covers Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup lines across 2015 and 2016, all tied to the same side curtain air bag.
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | side curtain air bag |
| Units affected | 410,019 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator end cap separation or inflator rupture can send the end cap or other components into the cabin, increasing injury or crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule service promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, or Sierra 3500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet or GMC dealer to schedule the free roof-rail air bag module replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if GM mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V504 when you call.
- Keep passengers clear of unnecessary trips until the repair is complete because the roof-rail air bag inflator end cap or sidewall can rupture and send parts into the cabin.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the left and right side roof rail air bag modules. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall notice, GM's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring your repair invoice, payment proof, and any related service paperwork to the dealer or contact GM customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| 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) |
| May 5, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V504?
Recall 21V504 covers 410,019 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap can detach, or the inflator sidewall can rupture. Dealers will replace the left and right side roof-rail air bag modules for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V504. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet or GMC dealer to schedule replacement of both roof-rail air bag modules. Reference NHTSA campaign 21V504 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V504, the dealer will replace the left and right side roof-rail air bag modules free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V504?
The risk is injury or crash from the roof-rail air bag inflator. NHTSA campaign 21V504 says a separated end cap or inflator rupture can let compressed gas escape and propel the end cap or other components into the vehicle.
What if I bought my Silverado or Sierra used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. If you never received an owner letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your truck is included, then call a franchised Chevrolet or GMC dealer with recall number 21V504.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V504000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-888-988-7267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V504 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V504000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →