Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado airbags problems

severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

7crashes

11injuries

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 15V830000 December 10, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015

If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15794.

The failure pattern owners describe

Buyer takeaway: 2016 Silverado airbag systems show multiple failure patterns—non-deployment in crashes, unintended deployment while driving, sensor malfunctions disabling all airbags, and recurring warning lights that don't stay fixed after dealer service. Check vehicle history for recall involvement and have airbag and seatbelt systems thoroughly inspected before purchase, as repairs exceed $1,200 and warranty coverage is limited.

Owners of 2016 Silverados report five distinct airbag and restraint system failures. Non-deployment during crashes appears most critical: owners struck other vehicles at 20–55 mph, hit deer at 40 mph, and rear-ended at 50 mph without airbag activation. Injuries resulted in at least two collisions. One owner reported crash data that showed a deployment code (B0052-00) despite airbags not physically deploying—a data integrity issue.

Unintended deployments also occur: roof rail and side airbags deployed without impact at highway speeds (20–50 mph), with one driver injured and veering off the road. Takata recall involvement is mentioned in multiple complaints.

Passenger-side airbag sensors malfunction, staying ON when the seat is empty and turning OFF while driving, disabling all airbags and triggering "Service Air Bag" warnings. One owner reported needing $1,200 for combined airbag sensor and brake pump repair but was denied recall coverage due to mileage limits.

Warning light recurrence is common: the Service Air Bag light returns after dealer repair, with failures occurring as early as 6,000 miles and persisting beyond warranty. One dealer pinpointed a faulty cable in the airbag housing; repairs do not hold.

Seatbelt restraint failure also appeared: one occupant's seatbelt did not lock or tighten during a crash, allowing the passenger to strike the windshield.

Same Chevrolet Silverado airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018

Failure modes owners describe

Airbag Non-Deployment in Crashes

Airbags failed to deploy during collision events ranging from low-speed to moderate impacts. Owners reported striking other vehicles, deer, and experiencing rear-end collisions without airbag activation, creating occupant injury risk.

When: At point of impact; mileage ranged from 5,000 to 51,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during collision; Occupant injury from lack of restraint; No warning indicators before crash

Codes mentioned: B0052-00

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired; one crash data showed deployment code despite no physical deployment

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V651000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts)

Unintended Airbag Deployment

Airbags deployed without any collision or impact. Roof rail airbags and side airbags deployed during normal highway driving, creating hazard to driver control and causing injury.

When: While driving at 20-50 mph; mileage 5,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Roof rail airbags deployed without impact; Side airbags deployed without warning; Driver veered off road due to deployment; Driver injury from airbag deployment; Seatbelt pretensioner also deployed

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired; towed to storage or repair shop

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V651000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); Takata recall notification received

Passenger Airbag Sensor Malfunction

Passenger-side airbag sensor failed, causing improper on/off cycling and disabling entire airbag system. Sensor remained ON when seat was unoccupied and turned OFF while driving, triggering service warnings.

When: At approximately 58,000 miles; early mileage also reported

Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag remained ON with unoccupied seat; Airbag turned OFF while driving; Service Air Bag warning message displayed; All airbags disabled

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed front passenger airbag and occupant seat mat sensor failure requiring replacement; repair cost not completed; $1,200 estimated for two issues (airbag sensor and brake pump)

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered to cover 10% of repair cost; case opened but owner not covered by recalls due to mileage threshold

Airbag Warning Light Recurrence

Service Air Bag warning light illuminated repeatedly, persisting or returning after dealer repair. Owners required multiple dealer visits to address the recurring warning.

When: From 6,000 miles onward; recurrence noted beyond 36-month warranty period

Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag light illuminated; Light recurs after dealer repair; Light present at startup; Light stays on continuously

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed faulty cable within airbag housing unit on one vehicle; repair did not hold and failure recurred; owner manually touched wires under driver seat and light temporarily turned off on another vehicle; repairs out of warranty

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but no recall or warranty extension offered; NHTSA Campaign 21V504000 (Air Bags) notification sent but parts unavailable at time of complaint

Seatbelt Restraint Failure During Crash

Seatbelt failed to properly restrain occupant during collision, failing to lock or tighten as expected. Combined with possible airbag non-deployment, occupant was thrown forward into windshield.

When: During collision event

Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt did not lock during impact; Seatbelt did not tighten as expected; Occupant thrown forward; Occupant struck windshield; No warning indicators before crash

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle declared total loss; not repaired or available for inspection

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V651000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts)

Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?

It's a meaningful issue. 16 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 6,398 and 46,000 miles, with the median around 34,545. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,398; a quarter make it past 46,000. 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?

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/2016/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.