2021 Buick Envision SRS Malfunction Warning Lamp Recall (21V421)

Recall 21V421 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Buick Envision in recall 21V421?

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.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Envision with recall 21V421?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Envision shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the srs malfunction warning lamp and light, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V421?

Recall 21V421 covers 285,622 vehicles: 2021 Buick Envision; 2021 Cadillac CT4; 2021 Cadillac CT5; 2021 Cadillac Escalade; 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv; 2021 Chevrolet Corvette; 2021 Chevrolet Suburban; 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe; 2021 GMC Yukon; 2021 GMC Yukon XL.

NHTSA lists 285,622 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Envision srs malfunction warning lamp recall?

Yes. The fix is an over-the-air software update.

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.

When was recall 21V421 announced?

General Motors, LLC reported recall 21V421 to NHTSA on June 10, 2021.

This recall was filed 64 months ago. If your Envision was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Envision is part of recall 21V421?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V421 is open on your Envision, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V421000 is open on your Envision, it will be listed there, along with Buick recall number N212338110. You can also ask any Buick dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should Envision owners do about recall 21V421?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V421000 applies to your Envision.
2. Call a Buick dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the srs malfunction warning lamp and light happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Envision owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1,422 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 58 of them about the air bags.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,422 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 58 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: 453 complaints in total, 25 about the air bags
• 2021 GMC Yukon: 331 complaints in total, 18 about the air bags
• 2021 GMC Yukon XL: 226 complaints in total, 4 about the air bags
• 2021 Chevrolet Suburban: 198 complaints in total, 6 about the air bags
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade: 72 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade Esv: 71 complaints in total, 0 about the air bags
• 2021 Cadillac CT5: 29 complaints in total, 2 about the air bags
• 2021 Buick Envision: 23 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

I was involved in a 40 mph frontal impact collision with another vehicle. The initial impact occurred on the driver side front corner of the vehicle. During the initial collision me head swung sideway striking the b post window area and knocked me unconscious for a short time.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, TN, NHTSA complaint 11416063, filed May 11, 2021

"SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM" message will often and randomly display, stay illuminated for random lengths of time, and then clear. Dealer Service centers are not taking the random/intermittent fault of the Safety Restraint System seriously. Passengers are at risk (unknow severity, assume the worst) due to a Faulty Safety Restraint System.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11506057, filed February 7, 2023

A warning message appeared on my 2021 Chevy Suburban dashboard that says "Service Safety Restraint System". This impacts the airbag control module under the driver seat. After doing some research on my own this is a TSB PIT5759 but it is not covered under a recall, as per my local dealership.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11601501, filed July 12, 2024

Can recall 21V421 make my Envision a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this srs malfunction warning lamp and light recall means their Envision qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.

This recall is handled by an over-the-air software update, so many owners never visit a dealer. If the problem returns after the update, take the 2021 Buick Envision to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up on a repair order. An update that does not work is still a failed repair.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Envision went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V421