General Motors LLC has initiated a recall for 2,785 trucks after identifying a defect in the roof rail airbag inflator, according to a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The action targets particular pickup models from the 2018 and 2019 model years.
The recall specifically applies to certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, as well as certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks. The affected vehicles were listed in the filing submitted to NHTSA.
GM said the issue centers on the left-side or right-side roof rail airbag inflator end cap. That end cap may detach from the inflator, and in some instances the inflator sidewall itself can rupture. If the end cap separates or the inflator ruptures, compressed gas could escape and propel either the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the passenger compartment, increasing the potential for occupant injury.
To address the defect, GM will instruct dealers to replace both roof-rail airbag modules in the affected vehicles. The replacements will be performed free of charge for vehicle owners, as noted in the NHTSA filing.
The recall notice does not provide additional remediation steps beyond the dealer replacement of both roof-rail airbag modules, nor does it expand on the timeline for owner notification. Information on whether owners have been contacted or specific dealer scheduling details was not included in the filing.
This recall is limited to the vehicle models and model years named in the NHTSA notice and to the 2,785 vehicles identified. The filing frames the safety concern as the potential for an inflator end cap to detach or for the inflator sidewall to rupture, which could lead to projectiles entering the vehicle when the inflator is pressurized.
Dealers will carry out the module replacements at no cost to owners. The NHTSA filing serves as the formal record of the recall action and the defect description.