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2015 GMC Terrain airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2015 GMC Terrain have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
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.
Service BulletinPIT5994Mar 2023
This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
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.
This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
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
The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 GMC Terrain vehicles report airbags that fail to deploy when they should. In one frontal crash at 55 mph, side airbags did not deploy during a rollover; another driver hit at 45 mph experienced complete non-deployment with severe front-end damage, yet the instrument panel falsely indicated deployment had occurred. A third owner swerved to avoid an animal, rolled twice, and the side airbags never came out—OnStar's monitoring system reported deployment that never happened. One collision involved an airbag that released a smoky substance but never left the housing.
Beyond crash failures, owners report recurrent service airbag warning lights appearing on the dash at startup or while driving, some within weeks of purchase, recurring weekly or more. Dealers blame a failed passenger presence detection module or passenger-side airbag sensor; one quote came to $900 for replacement, with the dealership refusing warranty coverage. Some owners note GMC issued a technical service bulletin for the problem, yet no recall was issued. Multiple owners checked their VINs at dealerships and were told no recall applied, contradicting NHTSA notices they found online. One dealer simply disabled the passenger-side airbags rather than repair the sensor.
Same GMC Terrain airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Front and side airbags fail to deploy in collision
In multiple crashes where severe impact would typically trigger deployment, airbags did not deploy. Some vehicles displayed false messages indicating deployment occurred when it did not. Injuries resulted from lack of cushioning in frontal and rollover collisions.
When: During/immediately after collision events; mileage ranging from 40,000 to 83,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal crashes; No side airbag deployment during rollover/side impact; Instrument panel falsely indicated airbags had deployed when they had not; OnStar monitoring equipment reported deployment that did not occur
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled and not repaired; manufacturer case number 83433332913 issued in one incident
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer became aware and assigned case number 83433332913 in at least one incident; no recall issued despite multiple failures
Service airbag warning light—passenger presence module failure
Recurring service airbag warning lights appear on the dashboard, diagnosed as failure of the passenger presence detection module. Warning appears intermittently or at startup and persists despite dealership visits.
When: Unpredictable; some customers report it within weeks of purchase, recurring weekly or more often
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Warning appears at startup or during driving; Warning recurs intermittently despite no accident; Passenger presence module diagnosed as faulty
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership quoted $900 for passenger-side airbag sensor replacement, not covered under warranty. Other customers report being told repair was needed but did not proceed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical service bulletin (TSB) exists per owner reports; no recall issued despite complaints referencing TSBs
Airbag sensor malfunction—front passenger side
Passenger-side airbag sensors fail, triggering seat belt alarm and service warnings. Dealers identify the sensor as the root cause and quote repair costs not covered under warranty.
When: Approximately 40,000 miles or earlier
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt alarm goes off in front passenger position; Airbag warning light illuminates; Airbag sensor confirmed as failed by dealer diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger-side airbag sensor quoted at $900, not covered under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; owners note GM dealer stated no recall applies per VIN check despite NHTSA recall notices visible online
Airbag deploys with smoky substance but remains in housing
During front-end collision with animal, airbag produced a smoky discharge inside the vehicle but did not physically deploy from the steering wheel assembly. Dashboard display indicated deployment occurred.
When: During collision event
Symptoms owners cite: Smoky substance released from airbag module; Airbag did not emerge from steering wheel housing; Display falsely indicated deployment
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
1 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/06/2017
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 GMC terrain. While driving 55 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle that had abruptly stopped. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the safety feature to stop the vehicle from a collision failed to engage. A police report was filed. The contact suffered back pain and was scheduled to receive medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's…
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 GMC Terrain?
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 2015 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2015/GMC/Terrain.
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.