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 GMC Sierra airbags problems
severe 85 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
85
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
1fire
11injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 85 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 85 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 ↗GM: THE AIR BAG DOOR MAY BE WARPED OR NOT SIT FLUSH WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2010 GMC Sierras report two main problems: Takata inflator recalls with unavailable repair parts, and dashboard cracking around airbag openings.
The Takata recall (NHTSA 16V381000) was issued in 2016, but repair parts remained unavailable years later. Owners describe calling multiple dealerships between 2016 and 2018 only to be told no replacement inflators were in stock. Takata's 2017 bankruptcy filing compounded the problem. Owners in humid climates express particular concern, citing the manufacturer's own warnings that moisture accelerates inflator degradation. Some waited three to seven years without resolution.
Dashboard cracking appears as a separate, widespread issue starting around 36,000–37,000 miles or sometimes spontaneously after ignition. Cracks typically originate at the passenger-side airbag seam and spread across the dash. Owners observe this happens regardless of sun exposure or climate abuse—some vehicles parked in shade or garages still develop cracks. Owners fear that if an airbag deploys, the brittle plastic will fragment into shrapnel. A few dealers acknowledged this as "common" on the model and mentioned past programs ($100 customer cost, GM covering the rest) that were discontinued. Most dealers offered no remedy. Replacement dashboards reportedly crack again.
Two collision incidents documented airbag failures: one where no bags deployed at 15–20 mph impact, another where a passenger-side Takata airbag ruptured, causing lacerations and hearing trauma. A third crash resulted in erroneous curtain airbag deployment at 75 mph with no impact. One incident reported a persistent service airbag warning light at 70,000 miles, traced to under-hood fuse block corrosion.
Same GMC Sierra airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata inflator defect - recall parts unavailability
2010 GMC Sierras were recalled (NHTSA 16V381000) for Takata inflators prone to degradation in humid environments. Owners received recall notifications starting in 2016 but found replacement parts consistently unavailable at dealerships for years. Takata filed bankruptcy in 2017, leaving no remedy.
When: Recall issued 2016; parts unavailable through 2017–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminated; No parts available for recall repair; Manufacturer unable to provide ETAs on replacement inflators
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V381000
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy unavailable; Takata bankruptcy; some owners report waiting 2–7 years without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V381000 (Takata inflator); GM issued recall notifications; Takata filed bankruptcy 2017; no replacement parts supplied
Dashboard cracking at airbag seams
Plastic dashboard cracks develop around airbag openings, primarily at the passenger-side forward edge and around the airbag compartment. Cracks appear spontaneously (sometimes while parked, sometimes during ignition), spread over time, and persist even in temperature-controlled environments with minimal sun exposure. Replacement dashboards reportedly crack again.
When: Typically 36,000–37,000 miles, but also appears spontaneously; some within 3 years of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks at passenger-side airbag seam; Cracks at forward left corner of passenger airbag opening; Cracks around driver-side airbag area; Brittle plastic deterioration; Multiple cracks that continue to grow; Cracking occurs even in parked, shaded vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: No manufacturer recall; dealers acknowledged as common problem; prior $100 customer + GM-covered program discontinued; replacement dashboards crack again; warranty does not cover
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; dealers reported discontinuing previous cost-sharing program; no solution offered; outside-warranty repairs not covered
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Airbags failed to deploy in at least two reported collisions. One occurred at 15–20 mph impact; occupants suffered injuries (lower back, legs, head bruising, back/hip injuries requiring physical therapy). After this incident, airbag sensors malfunctioned and warning lights illuminated; recall repairs were later completed. A second incident at 65 mph crash into a ditch resulted in no airbag deployment; occupant sustained fractured ribs and cracked sternum.
When: 110,000 miles (first incident); 53,000 miles (second incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy despite frontal and side-impact collisions; Occupants sustained injuries (head trauma, rib/sternum fractures, back/hip injuries); Airbag warning lights illuminated after incident; Airbag sensors malfunctioned post-collision
Repairs/costs cited: First vehicle towed to body shop; sensors/warning lights addressed via recall repairs; second vehicle destroyed; manufacturer investigation report issued 8/8/14
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall repairs completed on first vehicle; second vehicle investigated by manufacturer (report 8/8/14)
Airbag rupture with shrapnel hazard
A passenger-side airbag ruptured during a frontal collision (Takata inflator). The airbag deployed but failed its structural integrity, causing lacerations to the passenger's leg. Additionally, the dashboard crack issue creates concern that brittle plastic pieces could become projectiles when an airbag deploys, potentially puncturing the bag or injuring occupants.
When: During frontal intersection crash; mileage unavailable
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side airbag ruptured; Lacerations to passenger's leg; Hearing trauma to driver and passenger; Dashboard cracking creates potential for shrapnel hazard on deployment
Codes mentioned: Takata inflator defect
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to impound; not repaired; attorney representing client in case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle not repaired
Erroneous airbag deployment
Curtain airbags on both driver and passenger sides deployed unexpectedly while the vehicle was being driven at 75 mph with no collision or impact. The vehicle shut off immediately after deployment. Occupant sustained facial bruising.
When: 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side curtain airbag deployed without collision; Passenger-side curtain airbag deployed without collision; Vehicle engine shut off; Facial bruising to driver; No crash or impact preceded deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; cause not yet determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case opened
Service airbag warning light - electrical/corrosion fault
Service airbag indicator remained illuminated or displayed intermittently. One case involved loss of power to the airbag module due to corrosion in the under-hood fuse block. Another case showed the light remaining on at 70,000 miles without diagnosis; a third showed intermittent display linked to the Takata recall.
When: 70,000–77,000 miles; also intermittently reported on vehicles awaiting Takata repair
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminated continuously or intermittently; Passenger airbag light indicating airbag not functional; No obvious cause visible to owner
Codes mentioned: Loss of power to airbag module (corrosion)
Repairs/costs cited: One case: independent shop could not diagnose; GMC dealer identified under-hood fuse block corrosion as cause. Other cases: not diagnosed or associated with Takata recall unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented for undiagnosed cases; one dealer diagnostic of fuse block corrosion
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 GMC sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (coachella valley Buick GMC, 78960 varner rd, indio, ca 92203 (760) 565-2609) confirmed that the…
Tl-contact owns a 2010 GMC sierra --- received tk holdings letter --- had not contacted gm regarding air bag replacement ---- contact was in accident when vehicle was six months old and drivers side airbag deployed in accident... Vehicle was fixed due to low mileage and vehicle only being six months old...... Side air bag also deployed in accident... Contact took truck back to gm and gm stated…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 GMC sierra 1500. Upon starting the vehicle and driving, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact also…
My dash is cracked about 2 inches long on corner by airbag whent do dealer said nothing they can do
I received a recall from GMC on the airbag issue. Dated july 2016, I have heard nothing from anybody on this.
Takata recall received recall but no parts available to repair dealer states no updates only from customers
I received a safety recall letter july 2016 for the takata air bag. I called the dealer service garage in el paso, texas and was told that they have not received the air bags. So, they could not rep[lace the defective air bag.
Takata recall- I have went to the dealership where I purchased the truck and they won't help me in resolving this safety issue. Mckenzie motors 6500 caroline st.milton fl 32570 850-665-2045. I live in florida where it is warm year round and my whole dashboard is falling in. I saved for ever and paid for this truck in cash. I'm the safety director at nas whiting field and this is a fatality…
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 GMC Sierra?
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 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 85 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 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. 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/GMC/Sierra.
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.