I received an automated message from the vehicle stating to service the safety restraint system. I took the car to the local dealer and they ran a diagnostic review. There is a TSB for the vehicle and they say that the problem is coming from the overhead console part number 86575239. This part is not available anywhere. I contacted General Motors and requested assistance. All they have done is escalate it to the parts delay team. When I called today, all they say is they do not have any information available. They can’t even say when the part will be in stock. The dealership was unable to say that the airbag system would work as required or not. The car is unusable due to the passenger air bag system fault.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags problems
27 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 37,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 37,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- SRS malfunction warning lamp/light2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Tahoe airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
- Risk
- The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
Recall number 21V421000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Air Bag Malfunction
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.
PE21010
What 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the air bag and SRS warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger’s side air bag had failed, and the air bag wiring harness was frayed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and partially covered the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
-On the date of Monday XXX at approximately 4:30 pm est I was traveling on [XXX] and transmission felt like a possible slip happened in transmission. At approximatively 4:45pm est I made it home tried to back vehicle into parking space and reverse was lost. Vehicle didn't and wouldn't shift into reverse. I had to push vehicle in spot backwards. No check engine or warning lights were displayed on dash. - On Tuesday XXX. I contacted [XXX] of [XXX] approximately at 8:30 am est. [XXX] answered. I explained the symptoms and asked If I could bring in within the hour or so. He stated it would be fine to bring in. - At approximately 9:10 am est My girlfriend and [XXX] daughter got in vehicle. Started vehicle no service lights were on, but had no reverse still no reverse. My girlfriends mother was following us to pick us up at dealership as we dont have a 2nd vehicle. We started out driveway to [XXX]. I had no problems at 1st then prior to the intersection of [XXX] the Vehicle lost control on its own. The sequences happened fast and abrupt. 1. Vehicle downshifted roughly to about 3 gear 2. Lost power steering 3. engine over revved 4. vehicle pulled right. During this time as a professional trained driver. I removed us off [XXX] off road way on to [XXX] (To the right) to avoid being in an accident. I would say that the speed was roughly 20MPH at turn as I was avoiding the accident that could of potentially happened. I was not on asphalt the whole time to make turn as I had a limited vehicle (Not properly functional). I was able to stop at [XXX] to stop. Stopped on Brigantine is when I pointed out to my girlfriend that the lights just came on. in the meantime, we received a phone call from [XXX] (Girlfriends mom) asking where we went as she didn't see us. We explained to her situation, and she met on Brigantine and followed us to dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealership (Goodwin Chevrolet in Oxford, ME) for diagnostic testing on July 22, 2026. The certified technician diagnosed a catastrophic component failure within the primary safety restraint system, noting that the driver's seat side airbag has failed and must be completely replaced. The vehicle has only 53,472 miles. Because the SRS system is currently experiencing a critical fault, the driver's side airbag -- and potentially the rest of the vehicle's airbag deployment network -- is compromised and may fail to deploy as intended in the event of a collision. The manufacturer (General Motors) was contacted but refused to assist with the repair of this premature safety restraint failure, leaving a severe, active safety hazard unresolved.
I was having an airbag light randomly come up on my dash, and when I would start the vehicle it would state “Service Restraints system”, this started this summer when the weather got hot outside. I took the vehicle in to Serpentini Chevy is Tallmadge Ohio 44278, and they said that a wiring harness and connector need replaced. I saw that there was a recall in 2021 for this exact issue. My vehicle is 5 years old and under 100,000 miles and has never been in an accident and was Chevy certified pre owned. Due to this being a airbag safety issue and a previous recall, it should be a current issue and recall as well
I am having a problem with my driver seat airbag which has already been recalled. The recall number is N202310850. When I called Chevrolet they told me since my vehicle vin is not in the recall it wont be fixed even though I am having the same symptoms.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the message "Safety Restraint System" was displayed, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance in adding the VIN to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 98,520. The VIN was not available.
The safety system needs serviced/repaired and the alert has been present for months, and investigated by GM licensed dealership but not repaired, after several requests. The safety of drivers and passengers has been neglected and the high risk for injury and death while occupying the 2021 Chevy Tahoe. Also on 06/11/2025 the EPS Power Steering system failed, with the system alert showing up on the driver's dash. This is a cause for major concern and is noted that 2021 Chevy Tahoe vehicles have an outstanding recall for those affected. The licensed GM dealership was contacted on 06/12/2025 and again, denied the repair and/or ability for the vehicle to be operated safely. The Tahoe has been taken to the shop over the last 12-16 months and as of this day, occupants of this vehicle are at very high risk for injury and death due to the service safety system alert and the failed EPS system. I am compelled to take additional action, to prevent injury and death unless these issues are able to be immediately resolved.
Service safety restraint system notification is coming on, vehicle has 45,000 miles on it.
Air bags did not deploy after significant frontal damage. No warning that the air bag sensor was bad.
Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the airbags of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 37,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 21V421000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad airbags?
The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (500 complaints), 2008 (233 complaints) and 2011 (185 complaints).
Other 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Engine 188Fuel system 122Transmission 90Electrical 58Driver assistance 27Brakes 22Lights 16Steering 15Seat belts 14Acceleration 10Suspension 8Seats 7Body 4Wheels 4Visibility 3Tires 1
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