2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

48 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 46% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 98,000 mi.

Airbags complaints
48
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
3
Median mileage
98,000 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags48

Airbags complaints across Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years

8200528220079648200943652011334120131544201592020171310201911202021812023212025
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2009 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k330k–60k660k–100k8100k–150k1150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 21V050000Feb 5, 20212,641,272 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

  • Recall 21V053000Feb 5, 2021692,526 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

  • Recall 21V052000Feb 5, 2021557,023 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.

What owners say

  1. Filed Nov 3, 2025146,000 miAZAirbags
    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) while having an inspection completed. After receiving notification of the recall, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag unexpectedly deployed, damaging the dashboard and fracturing the window. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11697134 · source
  2. Filed Apr 2, 202490,000 miNHAirbagsEngine
    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag control module was corroded due to moisture in the driver weld. The vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was…
    NHTSA complaint #11580603 · source
  3. Filed Feb 24, 2024LAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
    My truck has roughly 26,000 miles and the airbag sensing module on it corroded due to water gathering around it in the acoustic padding. It happens because water runs down a line that enters the cab and gets absorbed by the acoustic padding. This is a known issue as there is a recall for other states. My state is not one even though Louisiana is one of the wettest states and we also use salt in the winter when the roads ice. I’m glad I didn’t get hurt by this since it can…
    NHTSA complaint #11573781 · source
  4. Filed Jan 19, 202463,000 miWAAirbags
    The contact’s father owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while his dad was driving 25 MPH, he heard a loud explosion coming the front driver’s side air bag. The air bag warning light was illuminated prior to the explosion. The air bag did not deploy because there was no crash. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11566513 · source
  5. Filed Jul 25, 2023OHAirbagsBody & StructureElectrical System
    Smiths auto Canton ohio told me they sold it to me with no problems but the locks are going out it has a dent in the side that's getting worse. I had to buy breaks and a new starter twice.
    NHTSA complaint #11534458 · source
  6. Filed Jun 23, 202298,000 miWIAirbags
    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while having his vehicle serviced at the local dealer under an air bag recall, the air bag sensor warning lights remained illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bag). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the air bag cell light was not corresponding with the instrument panel. The contact stated the vehicle was not repaired correctly. The manufacturer…
    NHTSA complaint #11470629 · source
  7. Filed Dec 30, 2021LAAirbags
    My dash board and panels are cracked and falling apart. Dealer cannot replace air bags without doing more damage to dashboard and will not be responsible. Only 52000 miles On this Vehicle and dash board is cracked and broken. A compliant has been filed several years ago for a cracked dash.
    NHTSA complaint #11445547 · source
  8. Filed Oct 18, 202115,450 miNHAirbags
    Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11437185 · source
  9. Filed Aug 31, 2021MEAirbags
    Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
    NHTSA complaint #11431216 · source
  10. Filed Aug 5, 2021MEAirbags
    Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
    NHTSA complaint #11427900 · source
  11. Filed Jun 30, 2021TNAirbags
    I have NOT received 2-recall notices for my airbag, said to have been sent on March 1, 2021 and May 11, 2021 for my 4-Door 2009 Silverado LS with Shot Bed. Your website said if the manufacture has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner to contact you and file an online complaint with NHTSA... Thus this is why I am writing. I cannot tell you when this incident occurred - you know as you are the experts.
    NHTSA complaint #11422909 · source
  12. Filed Jun 15, 2021ILAirbags
    Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 a Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11420970 · source

Other 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problem areas

  • Other / Unknown (20)
  • Body & Structure (19)
  • Engine (10)
  • Electrical System (9)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (5)
  • Lighting (4)
  • Steering (4)
  • Brakes (4)
  • Suspension (4)
  • Wheels & Tires (3)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (3)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (3)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)

Back to all 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology