Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Jun 24, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 622 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
21
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
21
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 31 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
The 25 most recent of 31, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, he poured oil into the oil reservoir, and then placed the key into the ignition switch to turn on the vehicle when the air bags unexpectedly deployed without warning. The steering wheel air bag hit the contact's face and knocked him to the ground. The contact suffered cuts to his cheek, below his eye, and neck, as well as soreness to his neck, face, and back. The contact stated his left ear was ringing and he could not hear; however, no medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
NHTSA ID
11470818
Incident
Jun 23, 2022
Mileage
173,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2015
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY STARTED COMING ON. TOOK TRUCK TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT SVC PLACES. THEY SAID DO NOT HAVE COMPUTER READER FOR AIRBAGS. LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERS AND THEY SAID BECAUSE OF LIABILITY, THE DIAGNOSTICS ARE $900 AND COULD RUN ANOTHER $1500 OR MORE TO FIX PROBLEM. AND, THEY WANTED TO KEEP TRUCK. TRUCK IS USED DAILY FOR SHORT RUNS AND HAS A BUNCH OF EQUIPMENT ON IT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO LEAVE IT SOMEWHERE. BECAUSE OF THE STAGGERING COST, AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING TO OFF LOAD THE TRUCK AND NOT HAVE ITS USE AND THE LACK OF PLACES TO WORK ON IT AT ALL, WE HAVE LEFT IT ALONE. I HAVE DRIVEN VEHICLES WITHOUT AIRBAGS OVER 3 CONTINENTS AND THROUGH JUNGLES & ALL TYPES OF TERRAIN OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS WITH OUT EVER NEEDING AIRBAGS. NOW TAKATA MAKES A SAFETY DEVICE THAT CAN SHOOT AND KILL YOU -- DO I NEED THIS? IF SO, WHO PAYS THE REPAIR BILL?
NHTSA ID
10730496
Incident
Jun 25, 2015
Mileage
78,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2015
ON MAY 29TH MY SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. IN TALKING WITH OTHER CHEVY SILVER OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR AND AROUND THAT YEAR IT SEEMS THIS IS COMMON. I PAID $521.18 TO GET THESE AIR BAG SENSORS REPLACED ON 17 JUN15 AT A DEALER IN HARRISBURG PA., BECAUSE I WAS TOLD WITHOUT THE SENSORS THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT GO OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I AM BEING TOLD B Y OTHER DRIVERS THEY ARE JUST DRIVING AROUND WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ON. THATS UP TO THEM. ALSO ON 21 JAN 14 I HAD TO HAVE ALL THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAD RUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK COSTING $720.00. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE OF NORTHEASTERN WINTERS AND ROAD SALTS, WHICH I FIND TO BE A UNEXCEPTABLE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. ON 23 DEC 03 I PAID $356.96 TO REPLACE DASH CLUSTER WHICH ALSO IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I THESE SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE SILVERADOS ARE BE IGNORED. MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD BE AFFECTED OR INJURED BY THESE PROBLEMS?
NHTSA ID
10730278
Incident
Jun 17, 2015
Mileage
79,099 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 14, 2014
Crash reported1 death reported
FATAL CRASH. ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE RIPPED OFF INCLUDING DRIVER DOOR. TRUCK FLIPPED ALSO. HIT 4 TREES. SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 IN THE AREA THEY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE TO BE MOVING A LITTLE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED NONE OF THEM. THE IMPACT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10633053
Incident
Aug 30, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 23, 2014
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE GMC DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEFECT, BUT SHOULDN'T A SAFETY ITEM LIKE YOUR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON BE COVERED UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY? JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THIS CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE ON ALL NEWER VEHICLES SHOULD BE COVERED. SO DOES IT MEAN THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IS IT JUST A MALFUNCTIONING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT THAT HAS COME ON? I KNOW MY MODEL TRUCK IS OLDER (2004) BUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS I SHOULD THINK WOULD BE COVERED. HAVE THERE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS HAPPENING IN CHEVY TRUCKS? *TR
NHTSA ID
10605432
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
105,800 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULAR TWICE, THE AIR BAG, PLUGS, AIR BAG STRING AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS MORE THAN 15 TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE MODULAR UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD REPLACED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE HEADLIGHT ARE WORKING; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED, AND FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY ON ITS OWN.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65300.
NHTSA ID
10369628
Incident
Jun 19, 2005
Mileage
30,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 15, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH, THE CONTACT SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A FROZEN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT MADE IMPACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE COMPLAINT WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE ENABLED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THEY DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000. UPDATED 09/03/08 *BF UPDATED 09/04/08. *JB
NHTSA ID
10238395
Incident
Jan 22, 2008
Mileage
180,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Sep 8, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I WAS DRIVING UP TP A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT HAD STOPPED, I REALIZED I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ROOM BUT THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO STOP. I PUT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND STILL HIT THEM TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *TR THEN ON 9/8/07 AND A DEER RAN OUT IIN FRONT OF ME, AGAIN MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR I HIT THE DEER. 1ST I WAS SUPRISED THAT MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY (REALLY TORE UP THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK) AND 2ND I SHOULD OF BEEN ABLE TO SLOW DOWN IN TIME. AFTER READING ALL OF THE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES ON CHEVYS AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I THINK ITS TIME TO LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT CAR COMPANY.
NHTSA ID
10202240
Incident
Feb 8, 2006
Mileage
63,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 31, 2007
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH SEAT COVER CONCERNS**CC A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT COVERS. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ID
10181632
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Airbags
Filed Jul 6, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT STOP SIGN, A VAN HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ID
10161695
Incident
Sep 4, 2004
Mileage
964 mi
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE HOWEVER BACK AND NECK INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE; BOTH PASSENGER TIRES CAME OFF THE RIMS AND DUG INTO THE PAVEMENT. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, UPON INSPECTION NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 05/16/06. *JB
NHTSA ID
10156562
Incident
Sep 4, 2004
Mileage
900 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 20, 2006
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2004 CHEV. SILVERADO PICK-UP IN 7-2005 FROM A CAR DEALER IN OUR AREA. WITHIN A SHORT TIME FRAME FROM THE PURCHASE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROX. $550.00 TO REPLACE AN SDM MODULE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHEV. SILVERADO PICK-UPS DRIVER AIR BAG. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE COIL SPRING IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG TO OPERATE. PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. THANKS. *NM
NHTSA ID
10155771
Incident
Sep 10, 2005
Mileage
45,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 14, 2006
Crash reported2 injuries reported
I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2004 CHEVY TRUCK AT A SPEED OF APPROX 80 MPH HEAD ON IMPACT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED BUT MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO GMAC, THEY HAD AN INVESTIGATION AND ACCORDING TO THEM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE WITH THAT KIND OF IMPACT, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN THAT MY WIFE DRIVES WITH MY CHILDREN. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW GMAC IS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT , BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED MY LIFE. *NM
NHTSA ID
10155380
Incident
Feb 19, 2006
Mileage
35,600 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING ON SLICK ROADS MY TRUCK WENT OFF THE ROAD, DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE FRAME WAS BENT, THE BUMPER WAS WRAPPED UP UNDER THE FENDER, GRILL GUARD PUSHED INTO THE RADIATOR. UPON IMPACT NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY FACE SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL BREAKING MY NOSE. TRUCK SALVAGED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10153763
Incident
Mar 20, 2006
Mileage
164,321 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 31, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported
ON JAN. 10 OF 2006 I LOST CONTROL OF MY 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON ICY ROAD. I HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER HEAD ON. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK WAS QUITE BIG. I WAS GIVEN A ESTIMATE OF $9820 OF DAMAGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE BODY FRAME. EVEN WITH ALL THIS DAMAGE MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. *NM
NHTSA ID
10149082
Incident
Jan 10, 2006
Mileage
27,149 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE COMPANY TRUCK THAT HE DROVE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. HE BRUISED HIS CHEST, SHIN AND TORE THE TENDON IN HIS ANKLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10141161
Incident
Oct 25, 2005
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT: THE CONTAC OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON AUGUST 28, 2005. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF AND HIT THE SIDE OF CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ID
10134631
Incident
Aug 28, 2005
Mileage
61,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 27, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
TRAFFIC CAME TO QUICK STOP I DID A RAPID PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED NO BRAKE LOCK AT ALL AND REAR ENDED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. *JB
NHTSA ID
10134393
Incident
Aug 25, 2005
Mileage
9,838 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 26, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT: 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 23, 2005. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. A DEER CAME ONTO THE ROAD, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID IT, AND WENT INTO RAVINE. TOOK OUT TWO TREES. THIS DAMAGED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME, AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. SHE BRUISED THE CHEST, AND SHE HAD A BULGING DISC I NECK NEAR SPINAL CORD. *AK
NHTSA ID
10134302
Incident
Aug 23, 2005
Mileage
30,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN OAK TREE AT 5 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALTHOUGH CONSUMER WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED THE CRASH PUSHED THE ENGINE THROUGH THE FIREWALL AGAINST THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND AN AMBULANCE TRANSPORTED THE DRIVER TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. *AK
NHTSA ID
10117538
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Mileage
64,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 7, 2005
WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , AND THE COMPUTER READ OUT, SAYING SERVICING AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY PLACED IT ON THE COMPUTER AND STATED IT SHOWED NO DEFECTS, AND WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *AK *SC
NHTSA ID
10107120
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Mileage
37,600 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 6, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT FAILED TO INFLATE PROPERLY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ID
10106981
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Airbags
Filed Dec 21, 2004
Crash reported
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING HEAD ON . UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10105126
Incident
Dec 10, 2004
Mileage
18,807 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 16, 2004
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AFTER BEING SERVICED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE AIR COIL, AIR BAG MODULE AND MODULE DIAG SENSOR SENSOR WERE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10092509
Incident
Aug 16, 2004
Mileage
10,873 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported
2001 CHEVROLET PICKUP INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH A TREE AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVE SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURY TO MOUTH BY HITTING STEERING WHEEL, DISPLACING FIVE LOWER FRONT TEETH CAUSING EXTENSIVE PAIN HAVING TEETH REPOSITIONED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10086614
Incident
Aug 6, 2004
Mileage
52,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own