This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B0081 in the Sensing and Diagnostic Module and Passenger Presence Sensor modules. Technician should inspect the Sensing and Diagnostic Module and Passenger Presence Sensor powers, grounds, and communication circuits at all in line connectors for fully seated, backed out terminals, and proper terminal tension using the correct test probes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Chevrolet Silverado airbags problems
severe 199 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
199
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 199 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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
Airbags accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 199 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B0081 in the Sensing and Diagnostic Module and Passenger Presence Sensor modules. Technician should inspect the Sensing and Diagnostic Module and Passenger Presence Sensor powers, grounds, and communication circuits at all in line connectors for fully seated, backed out terminals, and proper terminal tension using the correct test probes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, REPEAT HISTORY DTC B0083 0F- B0088 0F ON VEHICLES OPERATED IN AMARILLO TEXAS AREA. AN UPDATED SOFTWARE CALIBRATION HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION. ALSO INCLUDED IN MODELS YEARS 2010-2012 MODEL:CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HYBRID; CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID;GMC SIERRA DENALI; GMC SIERRA HYBRID;GMC YUKON HYBRID; GMC YUKON DENALI HYBRID.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES DUE TO AN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IN THE AMARILLO, TEXAS AREA. UPDATED 6/24/11. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: AIRBAG LIGHT ON, DTC B0071 AND B0081 SET (DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY). UPON INVESTIGATION, THE TECHNICIAN MAY FIND DTC B0071 SET IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) AND A DTC B0081 IN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTICS MODULE (SDM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 carries multiple unresolved airbag safety issues spanning nearly a decade. The most prevalent complaint involves Takata inflator recalls (campaigns 16V381000, 16V384000, 21V050000, 21V053000) announced starting 2016, yet replacement parts remain unavailable at many dealerships through 2019 and beyond. Owners received recall notices but were repeatedly told parts were on back-order indefinitely, with no firm repair timeline. GM filed a petition with NHTSA claiming the vehicles are safe to drive without repair—a stance owners find reckless given Takata's documented inflator rupture hazard.
Beyond parts delays, owners report spontaneous airbag deployments during normal driving (side curtain bags deploying at low speed, driver-side bag deploying during acceleration) causing injury, vehicle shutdown, and cabin damage estimated at $4,800 or more. Conversely, in at least two actual collisions, airbags failed to deploy, leaving occupants injured despite seatbelt use. Dashboard cracks appear spontaneously around airbag compartments even on low-mileage, well-maintained trucks, raising concerns about fragment hazards if an airbag deploys. One owner reports GM's own recall procedure involves disconnecting half of the airbag wires, potentially compromising inflator protection. Insurance denies coverage for deployment-related damage when no accident occurred, leaving owners with full repair bills.
Same Chevrolet Silverado airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Inflator - Extended Recall Delay and Parts Unavailability
Defective Takata inflators identified in safety recalls (campaigns 16V381000, 16V384000, 21V050000, 21V053000), with parts unavailable for extended periods. GM received initial recall notice in November 2015 but delayed remedy implementation for years. Multiple owners report dealer inability to obtain replacement parts despite recall notices sent starting 2016, with some waiting through 2019 without resolution.
When: 2015–2019; mileage ranges from 3,000 to 300,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminating intermittently or continuously; Airbag deployment without impact or warning (reported at 40–50 mph and even during routine acceleration); No airbag deployment during actual crashes where injuries occurred; Manufacturer stating vehicle is safe to drive despite known defect
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V381000, NHTSA Campaign 16V384000, NHTSA Campaign 21V050000, NHTSA Campaign 21V053000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to source replacement inflators for years after recall notice. Repair estimates cited: ~$1,200 diagnostic/replacement fee charged to owner despite active recall. One owner reports recall procedure involves disconnecting half of airbag wires per GM instructions, potentially compromising inflator function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM received recall notice November 2015; delayed implementation. Dealers told customers parts on back-order or unavailable indefinitely. GM filed petition of inconsequentiality with NHTSA suggesting vehicles safe to drive without repair. No guaranteed timeline provided to owners. Some owners report GM informed them they were waiting on NHTSA approval for remedy.
Dashboard Cracks Near Airbag Compartments
Multiple owners report cracks forming in dashboards, particularly around passenger-side airbag area, with no prior accident or impact. Cracks appear spontaneously, sometimes overnight, even on well-maintained vehicles with low mileage. Body shop manager indicates issue is widespread across GM platforms including Escalade.
When: Cracking observed over vehicle lifetime; some reports cite onset between 54,000–100,000+ miles; one case overnight with vehicle at 5 years old and 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks extending across dashboard on driver and/or passenger side; Cracks forming around passenger-side airbag compartment; No accident or impact event preceding crack formation; Dashboard vibrating visibly while driving (per one owner); Sharp edges created by cracking
Repairs/costs cited: Body shop estimates for dashboard repair plus airbag replacement cited as approximately $4,800. Repairs not covered by insurance when no accident occurred. Owners report concern that cracked dashboard may puncture airbag during deployment or cause loose plastic pieces to become projectiles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB identified in narratives. Dealer body shop manager confirms issue is common across GM platforms. GM has not publicly acknowledged or addressed the defect.
Unexplained Airbag Deployment
Airbags deploy without impact or accident during normal driving. One case involved side curtain airbags deploying when vehicle was pulled back onto pavement at low speed; another involved driver-side airbag deploying at 40 mph during acceleration. Deployments caused injury, property damage, and vehicle shutdown in one case.
When: Reported at 3,000–300,000 miles; specific incidents at ~31/2 miles and 300,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain and/or driver-side airbag deploying without collision; Deployment while accelerating or pulling back onto roadway; Airbag components scattered inside cabin; Vehicle engine shutdown following deployment; Vision obstructed by deployed airbag; Seatbelts locked or hanging after deployment
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 21V053000
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved $4,800 estimate to repair airbags and cracked headliner. Insurance denied coverage citing no accident. Dealer did not investigate root cause in one instance; in another, manufacturer indicated recall was unrelated to failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer determined one recall was unrelated to the spontaneous deployment failure. No investigation documented or explanation of cause provided to owner.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Actual Crashes
In at least two reported crashes (rear-end and impact scenarios), driver-side and passenger-side airbags failed to deploy, resulting in occupant injuries (bruised ribs, seat belt burn injuries, chest impact). Manufacturer representative stated airbags only deploy in 'life-threatening situations,' but no diagnosis of sensor or wiring failure was conducted.
When: Reported at 3,000 miles and 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags not deploying in rear-end collision at 40 mph; Airbags not deploying during impact with another vehicle at 50 mph; No warning lights illuminated prior to crashes; Occupant injuries: bruised ribs, seat belt burns, chest impact injuries
Repairs/costs cited: One case: passenger hit chest on dashboard, driver of other vehicle also injured; police report filed. Vehicle taken to authorized dealer who stated nothing was wrong. No repair or diagnosis conducted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer representative told owner airbags only deploy in life-threatening situations. Authorized dealer found nothing wrong and declined to perform repairs.
Synthesized from 199 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
After 3 1/2 years of recall, nothing has been done to this vehicle due to Chevrolet saying "later" you will be notified. I feel this amount of time is neglect.
Air bag indicator comes on and off, very concerned
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
I was in an accident and the truck is toatalled and the air bags did not deploy
Ignition ~ won't turn over. Only ignition key & fob on the key ring ~ key will not turn over, can't start car & now air bag light comes on & off intermittently.
Takata recall
"takata recall" - I received a recall letter in july 2016 but have called dealers multiple times and they say there is nothing they can do and gm feels my truck is safe. I have moved twice since the initial contact but still live in the souther high humidity area (moved from new orleans to houston). How do I get my truck fixed???
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact struck a patch of water and it felt like the vehicle was hydroplaning. When the brakes were applied, both the driver and passenger side door air bags deployed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The police was present, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's…
Takata recall. I received a letter in the mail regarding the airbag recall which stated "contact your nearest dealership immediately to schedule a free repair." I called my dealership, gillman Chevrolet 956-365-6150, and was told there was no fix for the issue and there is nothing they can do for me
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Chevrolet Silverado?
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 2010 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 199 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?
Across the 57 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 54,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 86,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2010/Chevrolet/Silverado.
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.