Recall 26V166 covers 2,819 2018-2019 Chevrolet and GMC Silverado and Sierra trucks for roof-rail air bag inflators. Repair is free at Chevrolet dealers.
Chevrolet is recalling 2,819 2018-2019 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles under recall 26V166 because a roof rail air bag inflator end cap can detach or the inflator sidewall can rupture. Escaping compressed gas can send the end cap or inflator fragments into the cabin, increasing injury risk, and a franchised dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The roof rail air bag on these 2018-2019 Chevrolet and GMC trucks is mounted along the upper side of the cabin. In a side impact or rollover event, it is designed to inflate from the roof rail area and help protect occupants near the side windows. The inflator is the small pressurized device that fills the air bag when deployment is commanded.
On affected Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab trucks, the left or right roof rail air bag inflator has a defect tied to a supplier production lot. The inflator end cap can detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall can rupture. GM and its supplier are still investigating the final root cause. Remedy parts use inflators from outside the suspect lot.
There is no warning sign before failure. GM's report describes an inflator rupture found in a parked and unoccupied Silverado, without a command for deployment.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 Silverado and Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup lines across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 | air bag system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | air bag system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | air bag system |
| 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 | air bag system |
| 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 2,819 |
| 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 pickup truck is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If an RRAB end cap detaches or the inflator ruptures, compressed gas can escape and send the end cap or inflator fragments into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon after your VIN is confirmed. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra Crew Cab 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 you have it. If not, reference recall number 26V166 when you call.
- Avoid using the affected seats until the repair is complete if the dealer gives that instruction for your truck.
- Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 with questions about recall N262549710.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the left and right-side roof rail air bag modules covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. GM uses its standard reimbursement plan for documented repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid out of pocket for a related RRAB repair, bring the repair order and payment records to the service desk so the dealer can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 19, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 19, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 19, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 16, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V166?
Recall 26V166 covers 2,819 2018-2019 Chevrolet and GMC Crew Cab trucks with roof rail air bag inflators whose end caps can detach or whose sidewalls can rupture. NHTSA campaign 26V166 says compressed gas or fragments can enter the cabin and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, or Sierra 3500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 26V166. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule replacement of the left and right-side roof rail air bag modules. Reference GM recall number N262549710 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and GM says dealers will replace the left and right-side roof rail air bag modules free of charge.
Is it safe to drive before the air bag recall repair?
GM has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for recall 26V166. The risk is tied to the roof rail air bag inflator end cap or inflator sidewall, which can send compressed gas or fragments into the vehicle and increase injury risk. Schedule the free repair promptly if your VIN is included.
When were owners notified about recall 26V166?
GM mailed owner notification letters on April 16, 2026. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, check your VIN and contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer with GM recall number N262549710.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V166000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-888-988-7267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V166 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V166000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →