GMC Sierra Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the GMC Sierra across 23 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (29). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (31% of reports).
- 193air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 107mention a crash
- 74mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 60 of 193 complaints (31%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 21 of 193 complaints (11%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 21 of 193 complaints (11%)
- Frontal collision: mentioned in 12 of 193 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 98 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 193 complaints, 107 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 74 an injury.
GMC Sierra air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 1 | 2% | 18,820 |
| 2016 Sierra | 2 | 33% | 80,190 |
| 2015 Sierra | 4 | 8% | 8,000 |
| 2014 Sierra | 5 | 5% | 29,898 |
| 2013 Sierra | 7 | 18% | 34,005 |
| 2012 Sierra | 4 | 14% | 20,000 |
| 2011 Sierra | 10 | 23% | 57,892 |
| 2010 Sierra | 8 | 24% | 74,750 |
| 2009 Sierra | 9 | 24% | 62,220 |
| 2008 Sierra | 29 | 43% | 66,500 |
| 2007 Sierra | 13 | 22% | 73,500 |
| 2006 Sierra | 3 | 6% | 114,500 |
| 2005 Sierra | 6 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Sierra | 5 | 3% | 62,500 |
| 2003 Sierra | 5 | 2% | 38,000 |
| 2002 Sierra | 3 | 1% | 16,000 |
| 2001 Sierra | 12 | 5% | 61,418 |
| 2000 Sierra | 17 | 4% | 84,000 |
| 1999 Sierra | 12 | 2% | 46,000 |
| 1998 Sierra | 6 | 3% | 72,000 |
| 1997 Sierra | 4 | 2% | 160,000 |
| 1996 Sierra | 16 | 7% | 119,052 |
| 1995 Sierra | 12 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM housing could fracture.
Risk: If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15794.
Air bags
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado trucks manufactured June 1, 2013, through June 30, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Sierra trucks manufactured June 4, 2013, through June 30, 2013. Welding on the passenger airbag inflator may fracture when the airbag is deployed, allowing some gas from the air bag inflator to vent behind the instrument panel, instead of into the air bag.
Risk: As a result the air bag may not fully inflate, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on August 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463. GM's recall number is 13230.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2000
Problem: On certain pickup and utility trucks, some of these vehicles have an air bag sensing diagnostic module (sdm) which contains an anomaly that could result in the driver and passenger's air bag failing to deploy during certain frontal crashes.
Risk: In a vehicle crash, front seat occupants may receive more severe injuries.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the sdm on the affected vehicles. Owner notification began august 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH going into an intersection, another vehicle going at approximately 5 MPH, crossed in front of the contact. There were no warning lights illuminated. As a result, the vehicle impacted the other driver on the…
The contact owned a 2000 GMC Sierra. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH the driver's side front wheel control arm had fractured and the vehicle went out of control. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled over three times. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled off of…
The contact owns a 2007 GMC Sierra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lose automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the negative battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at…
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The contact stated that while driving at 64 MPH, he crashed head-on with a 350-pound deer. The deer went underneath the vehicle, and the driver ran over it with the passenger front tire. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The air bag warning light…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierras have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 193 owner complaints about air bags for the GMC Sierra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra air bags?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the GMC Sierra?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 60 of 193 complaints, followed by “upon impact” (21).
Other GMC Sierra problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (954)
- Visibility problems (343)
- Service Brakes problems (304)
- Power Train problems (293)
- Steering problems (248)
- Electrical System problems (241)
- Structure problems (193)
- Suspension problems (160)
See all GMC Sierra problems.