This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle with Service ABS and/or Traction control lights/message on, Service Power Steering System, Service Suspension System, and or Loss of communication with EBCM, SWPS, PSCM, and/or SCM. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes U0077, U0121, U0126, U0131, U0139, U0401, U0415, and/or U0428. Technician should remove the driver and passenger sill plate to gain access to the wire harness. If any open, damaged, or corroded wires should be repaired.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Silverado airbags problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
17crashes
8injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 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 with additional information on the functionality of Lane Keep Assist.Starting with2016 model year Lane Keep Assist Regular Production Option Code (UHX) replaced Lane Departure Warning Regular Production Option Code (UFL). Lane Keep Assist is designed to assist the driver in keeping the vehicle from drifting out of a driving lane that has clearly identified markings. The electric power steering provides a gentle steering correction if a lane marking has been crossed and the driver has not actively responded.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗17367-Customer Satisfaction. The driver?s and front passenger?s seat belt retractors in certain vehicles may have been built with different torsion bars than were used in testing the vehicles for the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings listed on the window sticker. While these vehicles comply with all applicable government safety standards, this condition may affect the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings listed on the window sticker. Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger-side seat belt retractor assemblies with assemblies containing the correct torsion bar if the customer elects to have this condition repaired.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗17367-01 - Customer Satisfaction. The driver?s and front passenger?s seat belt retractors in certain vehicles may have been built with different torsion bars than were used in testing the vehicles for the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings listed on the window sticker. While these vehicles comply with all applicable government safety standards, this condition may affect the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings listed on the window sticker. Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger-side seat belt retractor assemblies with assemblies containing the correct torsion bar if the customer elects to have this condition repaired.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides an upate for Cause information on Airbag Warning Lamp Illumination Condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Silverado airbag system shows six distinct failure patterns across 29 complaints. Most critical: bags failed to deploy in frontal and side collisions ranging from 30 mph to 60+ mph, even though the airbag warning light illuminated during impact. Owners reported cabin smoke and powder but no bag inflation, suggesting the ignition charge fired while the bag itself did not fully deploy or inflate. Some owners noted only the plastic trim of side curtain airbags ejected, striking occupants forcefully without the cushioning effect.
Conversely, side curtain airbags deployed spontaneously during normal 10–15 mph driving with no collision, injuring one driver's head and neck. Warning lights appear separately: intermittent or constant illumination at 36,000–88,000 miles, with dealers diagnosing faulty passenger side sensors and airbags needing replacement at $2,400 (not covered by recall or warranty). One module failure was caught by OnStar alert. A seatbelt failed to lock during deployment, allowing forward ejection. One owner inhaled airbag powder, burning his hand and developing a persistent cough with possible asthma. Owners consistently report dealers stating no recall applies to their vehicle, despite year/make recalls existing for similar issues.
Same Chevrolet Silverado airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags failed to deploy on impact
In frontal and side-impact collisions ranging from 30 mph to 60+ mph, airbags either did not deploy at all or only deployed partially. Some owners reported the airbag warning light illuminated during the crash, indicating the system registered the impact, yet bags remained unexploded. Several owners noted explosive powder and smoke filled the cabin despite no airbag inflation.
When: 30–60+ mph frontal and side-impact collisions; failure mileage ranged 5,000–88,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy despite severe frontal impact; Side curtain airbags failed to inflate, though trim plastic ejected; Airbag warning light came on during crash but bags did not deploy; Powder and smoke/sulfurous odor filled cabin without airbag deployment; Steering wheel airbag failed to deploy in head-on collision; Side curtain airbag trim ejected forcefully without bag inflation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #4 stated dealer informed contact no recall associated with VIN. Owner #21 collision center documented at dealership. No systematic recall found by owners.
Airbags deployed without impact
On two separate incidents, side curtain airbags deployed spontaneously while the vehicle was driving at low speeds (10–15 mph) with no collision or external trigger. One owner reported both driver and passenger side curtain airbags fired independently.
When: 10–15 mph normal driving; mileage 21,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbags deployed without any impact or collision; Both driver and passenger side curtain airbags fired independently at low speed; Driver sustained head and neck injuries from unintended deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #5 reported manufacturer said two to three weeks for diagnosis but no repair recorded. Owner #12 reported dealer stated vehicle not included in recall.
Airbag warning light on; passenger side airbag/sensor fault
Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel intermittently or continuously without collision. Dealer diagnosis identified passenger side door airbag and sensor needing replacement. One owner reported light cleared on vehicle shutdown but reappeared when driving resumed. Repairs were not covered under recall or warranty.
When: Occurred at 36,000–88,000 miles; one owner reported light on for 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently while driving; Airbag light comes on when driving, clears when vehicle shut down, returns on restart; Passenger side door airbag and sensor diagnosed as faulty; Faulty passenger door airbag raised safety concerns for owner's family
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #6 quoted $2,400 for passenger airbag and sensor replacement; dealership unable to source parts. Owner #17 reported dealer diagnostic fee $100 not pursued due to cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #6 told year/make had recall but not their model. Repairs not covered by recall or warranty per owners #6, #8, #14.
Airbag module malfunction
OnStar alert triggered for airbag system malfunction at 36,000 miles. Dealer diagnosed failure of airbag module requiring replacement. Repair not covered under recall or warranty.
When: 36,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar alerted owner of airbag system malfunction; Airbag module failure diagnosed by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed repair not covered under recall or warranty.
Seatbelt failed to lock during airbag deployment
During frontal collision with airbag deployment, driver's seatbelt did not lock, allowing the driver to be thrown forward out of seat upon airbag inflation. Passenger seatbelt locked normally and passenger fared better.
When: ~30 mph frontal collision
Symptoms owners cite: Driver seatbelt did not lock during airbag deployment; Driver ejected from seat into airbag, causing chest and lower abdominal/thigh bruising; Neck pain persisted two days post-collision; Passenger seatbelt locked normally without injury
Airbag powder inhalation injury
Owner inhaled airbag deployment powder after collision, resulting in hand burn, cough, and possible asthma development requiring ongoing medical treatment.
When: 60 mph collision with deer
Symptoms owners cite: Driver burned hand from airbag deployment; Cough developed from inhalation of airbag powder; Possible development of asthma; Ongoing medical treatment required
Synthesized from 29 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 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 21,000 and 68,000 miles, with the median around 44,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 68,000. 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/2017/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.