NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature changes.
The 2010 GMC Sierra 3500 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
This airbag defect has been filed across multiple model years and vehicle populations, but the underlying danger is the same: the passenger frontal airbag inflator can explode with excessive force rather than deploy normally, turning the inflator housing into a source of metal fragments. These filings specifically target vehicles sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and similar climates, as prolonged moisture exposure worsens the risk. On the electrical side, trucks equipped with an auxiliary battery have a fusible link that can melt and contact nearby components, including the wiring harness and electrical center cover, raising the risk of fire. Rounding out the list, certain vehicles came equipped with fire extinguishers, either plastic-handle or push-button pindicator types, that may fail to discharge properly when needed, leaving occupants without a working suppression tool in an actual fire.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature changes.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator contains a propellant that can degrade and rupture after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature swings.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to discharge, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may detach forcefully, potentially causing injury and making the extinguisher inoperable.
What the fix does
GM will provide a free replacement fire extinguisher from Kidde. Contact your vehicle manufacturer's customer service to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer harness can allow too much electrical current to flow through the auxiliary battery circuit, causing the fusible link to melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse and provide updated Owner Manual information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.