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Manufacturer recall number

Chevrolet recall 31820

Chevrolet calls it 31820. NHTSA filed it as campaign 16V151000 on Mar 11, 2016: air bags on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 3,137 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings
NHTSA campaignVehiclesComponentFiledAffectedSeverity
16V1510002016 Chevrolet MalibuAir BagsMar 11, 20163,137high
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection." Risk Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 16V151000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 31820 is the number Chevrolet assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 16V151000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 31820 the same recall as 16V151000?

Yes. 31820 is Chevrolet’s own number for it; 16V151000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 31820 cover?

2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 3,137 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 31820 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.