GM Issues New Recall for 1,559 Silverado and Sierra Trucks

General Motors has announced a safety recall affecting 1,559 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks from the 2016 and 2017 model years. The recall addresses a critical defect in the roof-rail airbag inflators that can crack and rupture, potentially sending metal fragments into the cabin during deployment. The affected vehicles were manufactured between April 30 and May 11, 2016, making this a targeted recall aimed at trucks built during a specific production window.

This recall covers multiple Silverado configurations, including the 1500, 2500, and 3500 models, as well as their GMC Sierra counterparts. While the recall population is relatively modest, GM is taking the precaution of replacing airbag components on every truck in the batch, even though the company estimates only about 1 percent of affected vehicles actually carry the defect.

Understanding the Airbag Defect

pickup truck cabin detail
Photo by Hgartley

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing, the problem stems from a combination of two manufacturing issues that occur together. The roof-rail airbag inflators contain a small crack in the canister combined with residual moisture left behind from the manufacturing washing process. On their own, neither issue would be particularly concerning, but when they occur simultaneously, they create a dangerous condition.

The trapped moisture can trigger stress-corrosion cracking that gradually deteriorates the inflator canister wall. If the inflator eventually ruptures under pressure, the compressed gas escapes with enough force to turn the end cap and other internal components into dangerous projectiles inside the cabin. This defect poses a serious risk to occupants, which is why GM decided to replace all affected modules proactively.

This is not the first time GM has encountered roof-rail airbag problems in these generations of trucks. The automaker previously addressed a similar defect earlier in the year under separate recall filings, affecting tens of thousands of vehicles. This new recall represents an additional batch of trucks that GM determined it had not caught during the earlier safety campaigns.

How the Defect Was Discovered

The issue came to light after a 2016 Silverado 1500 owner reported hearing what sounded like a rupture in the left-side roof-rail airbag immediately after starting to drive. The occupants reported experiencing ringing in their ears following the incident. When GM inspected the truck on August 28, technicians confirmed a split in the inflator sidewall and found damage to both the vehicle’s headliner and roof structure.

Despite this documented rupture, GM states it is not aware of any other cases of inflator failure from the same production lot, and no additional injuries have been reported to the automaker. However, the company determined that the potential risk was significant enough to warrant a comprehensive recall and replacement program.

What Owners Need to Do

GM began notifying affected truck owners on November 9, 2026, through direct mail. However, owners do not need to wait for notification to determine whether their vehicle is included in the recall. You can check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) immediately through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s online recall lookup tool to find out if your truck is affected.

The repair itself is straightforward and will be performed at no cost to owners. Dealers will replace both the left-side and right-side roof-rail airbag modules. Owners should schedule an appointment with their nearest Chevrolet or GMC dealership to have the work completed as soon as convenient.

Breaking Down the Affected Vehicles

vehicle repair service appointment
Photo by Kate Ibragimova

The recall includes 723 2016 Silverado 1500s, 292 2016 Silverado 2500s, and 33 2016 Silverado 3500s. On the GMC side, 329 2016 Sierra 1500s, 145 2016 Sierra 2500s, and 33 2016 Sierra 3500s are included. A very small number of 2017 model year trucks from both manufacturers are also affected, with only two 2017 Silverado 1500s and two 2017 Sierra 1500s included in the recall population. The minimal 2017 count suggests that only a handful of trucks from that model year received inflators from the affected production batch.

What This Means for the Future

This recall represents another chapter in a series of safety issues that have affected the third-generation Silverado and Sierra lineup, which ran until the fourth-generation models debuted for the 2019 model year. If you are considering a newer truck, options like the Silverado Diesel that hits 900 miles per tank or the Silverado V8 with digital oil gauges represent the latest generation of trucks with updated safety systems and engineering improvements. GM has indicated that it is implementing enhanced quality and durability measures on the next generation of trucks, which reached dealers later in 2026.

Airbag defects are not unique to GM this year, as other manufacturers have also issued safety recalls for similar issues. Owners of affected Silverado and Sierra trucks should prioritize checking their VIN and scheduling a dealer appointment to have the airbag modules replaced as quickly as possible.