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 ↗2013 Chevrolet Silverado airbags problems
severe 92 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
92
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
8crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 92 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Owners have filed 92 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.
Airbags accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct issues affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado airbag system. The most common complaint involves dashboard cracking around the passenger-side airbag housing, starting as early as 37,000 miles. Cracks appear near the airbag cover and instrument cluster without obvious cause—owners describe finding them overnight despite careful maintenance and garage storage. Owners worry that cracks compromise structural integrity; if the airbag deploys, plastic shards could become projectiles. GM has acknowledged this as a known defect affecting 2007–2013 models sharing the same dashboard design, though dealers initially denied warranty coverage and attributed failures to UV exposure despite vehicles kept indoors.
The second issue involves the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA Campaigns 21V053000 and 21V054000) initiated in February 2021. Owners report extreme delays obtaining replacement parts—many waited months or longer with no remedy available. Some dealers informed customers that neither GM nor the dealer would cover dashboard damage occurring during the recall repair. Additional complaints include service airbag warning lights that persist after dealer diagnostics, airbag failure to deploy in actual crashes, and cases where warning lights illuminated immediately after recall repairs were completed. One owner reported fractured airbag housing that had started to expand.
Same Chevrolet Silverado airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking near passenger airbag
Dashboard cracks appearing on the passenger side near or above the airbag housing, sometimes extending across the instrument cluster. Cracks reported without impact or obvious mechanical cause, appearing suddenly overnight in some cases. Owners express concern about plastic shards becoming projectiles if the airbag deploys.
When: 37,000 to 60,000 miles; some owners report first noticing cracks less than three years after purchase. Several reports indicate vehicles kept in garage with minimal sun exposure.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible 1.5-inch cracks above passenger airbag; Cracks extending from airbag cover to edge of dashboard; Multiple cracks in dashboard (4–5 reported in some cases); Cracks in both driver and passenger dashboard areas; Elevated or separated dashboard pieces adjacent to cracks; 3-inch hole in dashboard beside passenger airbag discovered after recall service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have offered partial repairs under goodwill after initial warranty denial, with costs around $100–$700 depending on coverage level. One owner reported GM paying majority of cost with $100 owner responsibility. Full dashboard replacement may be required; replacement parts do not come with guarantee against recurrence per owner report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships initially denied warranty coverage citing expired bumper-to-bumper warranty. Some dealers attributed cracks to UV exposure. GM acknowledged the defect affects multiple models 2007–2013 with same dashboard design. Dealers have refused to cover dashboard damage occurring during recall repairs, stating neither manufacturer nor dealer is liable and warranty does not cover such damage.
Takata airbag recall parts unavailability
Recall campaigns 21V053000 and 21V054000 issued in February 2021 for Takata airbag inflator replacement, but replacement parts have remained unavailable for extended periods. Owners unable to complete recall repairs despite notification and appointments scheduled.
When: Recall initiated February 2021; complaints span through mid-2021 and beyond, indicating months of unavailability.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts not available at dealership; Repeated calls to dealers confirming parts not yet in stock; Manufacturer exceeded reasonable time for recall repair per owner statements; One case of fractured airbag housing that had started to expand while waiting for parts; Airbag warning light illuminated in one vehicle awaiting recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in majority of cases due to parts shortage. One case documented threads of airbag ruptured, preventing inflator from sealing properly, discovered when dealer attempted repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaigns 21V053000 and 21V054000 issued. Manufacturer informed owners parts unavailable and instructed them to wait. Dealers informed some customers that neither manufacturer nor dealer would be liable for dashboard damage during recall repair, and warranty would not cover such damage. One owner reported manufacturer stated they do not have a remedy for the problem (as of July 2021).
Service airbag warning light—persistent or post-repair
Airbag warning light illuminates and remains on despite dealer service attempts. In some cases, light activates immediately after recall repairs are completed. Dealers unable to diagnose root cause and unsure of corrective action.
When: Reported at various mileages: 57,000 miles, 75,979 miles, 110,000 miles, 128,400 miles, and immediately after recall repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Message 'Service Airbag' displayed; Airbag warning light illuminated day after recall repair completed; Airbag warning light persisting despite dealer multiple service attempts; Light appearing at different speeds while driving
Codes mentioned: B0052 - Deployment Commanded, B0085-00 (WAS-B0085-00)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics inconclusive. One dealer suspected airbag module and quoted $800 for replacement, which was completed but did not resolve the warning. New module would not accept programming. One case required Engine Wiring Junction Box replacement after recall repair. One owner replaced airbag warning sensor with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred one owner to NHTSA. In one case, manufacturer informed contact that an unknown recall related to the failure was previously completed. Dealers told owners they do not know cause and cannot guarantee resolution.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Airbag system failed to deploy during vehicle collisions at impact speeds that should have triggered deployment. Occupants sustained injuries that might have been mitigated by proper airbag function.
When: Documented at approximately 22,000 miles, 30 MPH collision; 110,000 miles, 35 MPH collision; front-end collision at 35 MPH impact speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end collision with no airbag deployment; Service airbag warning light flashed after collision; No warning light illuminated in one case despite collision; Smell of gunpowder noted in vehicle (indicating potential sensor trigger); No deployment codes generated in dealer diagnostic
Codes mentioned: B0052 - Deployment Commanded (one case indicates command issued but no deployment occurred)
Repairs/costs cited: One case: GM sent inspector to retrieve crash data from SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module); dealer found no codes upon inspection. Another case: repair shop refused to work on vehicle pending GM investigation, citing concern that seatbelt should have prevented steering wheel contact. Third-party investigator (Raytheon) investigated and stated system worked as it should, but declined to confirm if steering wheel contact was expected.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM arranged third-party investigator (Raytheon) to examine system. Manufacturer told one owner to take vehicle to dealer for diagnosis. No explanation provided for non-deployment in crashes.
Airbag deployment malfunction—seatbelt did not extend/retract properly during accident
During a 20 MPH rear-end collision, seatbelt remained in extended position and would not retract, and airbag warning appeared. Repair shop and owner questioned why seatbelt failed to restrain occupant, allowing chest impact with steering wheel.
When: March 18, 2014; vehicle mileage not stated.
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt remained extended and would not retract after collision; Airbag deployed but seatbelt failure allowed driver to hit steering wheel; Airbag warning light and 'Service Airbag' message displayed; Repair shop expressed concern seatbelt should have prevented contact
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop declined to work on vehicle pending manufacturer investigation. Third-party investigator (Raytheon) concluded system worked as it should but did not address seatbelt or restraint concerns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer service arranged third-party investigator (Raytheon) to examine the system. Investigator determined everything worked as it should but declined to confirm whether steering wheel contact was expected given collision circumstances.
Synthesized from 92 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet…
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
I was notified of the air bag recall in February 2021. To date, I have not heard anything from anyone about replacement of the passenger-side airbag. When I check the recall on line I see that the "remedy is not available". How long do I need to wait to get this resolved?
The dash above the steering wheel cracked on 12/4/2019, now making a rattling noise. The crack now is going to expand due to vibration and it could effect the drivers side airbag down the line.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 92 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 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 37,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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/2013/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.