General Motors recalls 2012 Cadillac Escalade models with potentially dangerous air bag inflators that could explode due to humidity and heat exposure, risking serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
General Motors is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade vehicles because their front passenger air bag inflators could explode after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes. This explosion risk could cause serious injury or death to drivers or passengers. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1251474-2012-cadillac-escalade-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1251474-2012-cadillac-escalade-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #21V051000
“2012 Cadillac Escalade Air Bag Recall: Risk of Serious Injury from Inflator Explosion.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1251474-2012-cadillac-escalade-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury. Based on NHTSA recall 21V051000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V051000).
The air bag inflators contain a propellant that can degrade over time when exposed to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes. This degradation may cause the inflator to explode, sending sharp metal fragments that could seriously injure or kill occupants.
Owners of 2012 Cadillac Escalade models in specific U.S. states and territories are affected. Drivers and passengers in these vehicles are at risk if the air bag inflator explodes.
Check if your vehicle is a 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, or Escalade EXT. The recall covers vehicles originally sold or registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Reach out to Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC customer service using the provided phone numbers to confirm your vehicle is affected and schedule the free air bag inflator replacement.
GM will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a safer alternative at no cost once the remedy is available.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.
The front passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes, risking serious injury or death.
Your vehicle is affected if it is a 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, or Escalade EXT originally sold or registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Contact Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC customer service to schedule a free air bag inflator replacement. The replacement will be done by GM dealers once the remedy is available.
We’ve drafted a message you can send Cadillac to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V051000 — Cadillac Cadillac Hello, I own a Cadillac that is covered by recall 21V051000 from Cadillac. The official recall notice states: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
