This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet Express airbags problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 5 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Chevrolet Express, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Passenger Side Instrument Panel Performance
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet express. While driving approximately 62 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the driver side door of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a few cuts on the knee that did not require medical attention. The passenger from the other vehicle sustained a broken collar bone and a head injury, which…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet express. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning. The dealer could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet express 1500. The contact stated that immediately after turning the vehicle on, the air bag light illuminated. The contact stated while researching online he was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14v117000 (air bags). However, the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the recall.…
I'm from an independent repair shop. I have recently had problems with this 2009 express van. It has for no reason that I can tell. Deployed the side air bags while backing the vehicle up a driveway @ less than 5 MPH. To give you a little history about the vehicle. The customer purchased the vehicle from a used car dealer approximately 6 month ago. The first problem with the vehicle was with…
Both front air bags deployed in parking lot!van was locked! *tr
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet Express?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 95,818 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Express.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.