All General Motors Vehicles (1988-2025)

Back to top

Repairs & Inspections Required After a Collision

WARNING:

Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Avoid area near steering wheel and instrument panel even if air bags have deployed. Dual-stage air bag modules may be present that could contain an undeployed stage. When disposing of a deployed dual-stage air bag, always treat it as a live module. See appropriate Air Bag Service & Repair article in Mitchell s Repair Center TechAdvisor product for more information. Mitchell International 25.05
NOTE:

In 2021, General Motors revised the REPAIRS AND INSPECTIONS REQUIRED AFTER A COLLISION document to provide universal instructions for all GM vehicles. The information in the following table supersedes all previously published information.
Table 1: All GM Vehicles (1988-2025)
Warning: Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal collision or deployment of the airbag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.
Warning: Do not repair or replace the seat stitching or seams in the seat back trim cover with an internal mounted seat side airbag module. Replace the complete seat back trim cover from the OEM. Non-OEM seat stitching may cause improper airbag deployment which could result in personal injury.
1. After ANY collision, perform the following belt operational and functional checks:

Turn the ignition switch to ON position. Verify proper operation of the seat belt reminder lamp with the belt buckled and with the belt unbuckled.

For each seating position:

  • Inspect the shoulder belt guide to ensure that the seat belt webbing is seated flat in the guide slot and that the seat belt webbing does not bind.

  • Verify that the seat belt buckle is accessible.

  • Fully extend the seat belt webbing. Verify that the seat belt webbing does not have any twists or tears.

  • Allow the seat belt webbing to retract. Verify that the seat belt webbing returns freely and completely back into the retractor.

  • Snap the seat belt latch plate into the buckle. Sharply tug on the seat belt latch plate and the buckle. Verify that the seat belt latch plate and the buckle remain locked when tugged.

  • Push the button on the buckle. Verify the seat belt latch plate releases easily from the buckle and the button returns to its original position.
2. In instances of vehicle collision where damage is limited to minor outer body panel cosmetic distortion: visually inspect vehicle for extent of damage, repair and replace components as necessary.
3. In instances of vehicle collision where damage exceeds minor outer body panel cosmetic distortion, unrelated components can be subject to damage outside of obvious visual detection method in the area of impact. The table below references components requiring inspection or replacement to promote a safe and quality repair. Some inspections may require disassembly of vehicle components or additional functional tests. If you detect any damage, replace the component.
Component Notes or Additional Instructions Exceeds Minor Outer Body Panel Cosmetic Distortion Without Airbag Deployment Pretensioner Deployment Seat Side Airbag Deployment Frontal Airbag Deployment
Brakes & Steering
Brake Pedal Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Steering Column Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection in Steering Column and Wheel. Inspect Inspect Replace Replace
Steering Wheel Inspect Inspect Replace Replace
Steering Wheel Airbag If not deployed, visually inspect the top trim cover of the airbag module for deformation, distortion, or indentations as a result of damage. Replace if found. Inspect Inspect Inspect Replace
Steering Wheel Air Bag Coil and Coil Wiring Pigtail If deployed, inspect for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat. Inspect
Steering Wheel Air Bag Mounting Points and Hardware Inspect
Impact Sensors
Front and/or Side Impact Sensors Impact Sensor Replacement Guidelines:

  • The impact sensor replacement policy requires replacing sensors in the area of the accident damage. The area of accident damage is defined as the portion of the vehicle which is crushed, bent, or damaged due to a collision. If the impact sensor or the mounting structure of the impact sensor is damaged, the impact sensor must be replaced.

  • Replace the impact sensor whether or not the air bags have deployed.

  • Replace the impact sensor even if it appears to be undamaged.

  • Impact sensor damage which is not visible, such as slight bending of the mounting bracket or cuts in the wire insulation, can cause improper operation of the SIR system. Do not try to determine whether the impact sensor is undamaged, replace the impact sensor. Also, if you follow a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) procedure and a malfunctioning impact sensor is indicated, replace the impact sensor.

 Replace Replace Replace Replace
Impact Sensors Mounting Points and Hardware Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cross Car Beam Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Instrument Panel Knee Bolsters and Mounting Points Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Instrument Panel Mounting Points and Instrument Panel Brackets, Braces, etc. Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Instrument Panel Air Bag Mounting Points and Hardware Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Instrument Panel Airbag Visually inspect the top trim cover of the airbag module for deformation, distortion, or indentations as a result of damage. Replace if deformation, distortion, or indentations are found. Inspect Inspect Inspect Replace
Knee Airbag Visually inspect the top trim cover of the airbag module for deformation, distortion, or indentations as a result of damage. Replace if deformation, distortion, or indentations are found. Inspect Inspect Inspect Replace
Roof and Interior Trim
Roof and Headliner Mounting Points Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Door trim assembly On Side of Impact. Visually inspect door trim assembly fordeformation or distortion as aresult of damage. Replace if deformation or distortion is found. Inspect Inspect Inspect
Trim Mounting Points and Hardware On Side of Impact Inspect Inspect
Roof Rail Airbag Mounting Points and Hardware On Side of Impact Inspect Inspect
Roof Rail Airbag On Side of Impact. If not deployed, visually inspect roof trim for deformation or distortion as a result of damage. Replace if found. Inspect Inspect Replace
Seats
Seats and Seat Mounting Points Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Seat Back Cover If Side Air Bag(s) Deployed. If not deployed, visually inspect seat back cover and top trim cover of the airbag modules for deformation or distortion as a result of damage. Replace if deformation or distortion is found. Inspect Inspect Replace Inspect
Seat Side Air Bag If Deployed Replace Replace
Seat Side Air Bag Mounting Points and Hardware If Side Air Bag(s) Deployed Inspect Inspect
Seat Adjuster Inspect
Seat Back Frame Inspect
Seat Cushion Frame Inspect
Seat Cushion Side Covers and Switches On Side of Impact Inspect
Seat Recliner and Cover If Equipped Inspect
Seat Belts
Seat Belt System This applies to seat belt systems in use by people of adult size, seat belt systems used to secure child restraints, infant carriers, and booster seats, including LATCH system and top tether anchorages.

This applies to seat belt systems Do NOT replace single seat belt system components in vehicles that have been in a collision as described above. Always replace the entire seat belt system with the buckle, guide, and retractor assembly, which includes the latch and webbing material.

  1. Replace any seat belt system that was in use during the collision serious enough to deploy any automatic restraint device such as air bags and seatbelt pretensioners.

  2. Replace any seat belt system that has torn, worn, or damaged components.

  3. Replace any seat belt system if you observe the words REPLACE or CAUTION, or if a yellow tag is visible. Do not replace a seat belt if only the child seat caution label is visible.

  4. Replace any seat belt system if you are doubtful about its condition.

 Inspect
Seat Belt Anchor and/or Retractor Pretensioners Inspect Replace Replace Replace
Seat Belt Anchor and/or Retractor Pretensioners Mounting Points and Hardware Visually verify the seat belt retractor units are securely attached and the seat belt anchor bolts are secure. Inspect Inspect Inspect Inspect
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) or Restraints Control Module (RCM) Replace only if module has set DTC B0052 (or other related SDM DTCs) or DTC B1A33 (or other related RCM DTCs) and will not clear. Replace Replace Replace
Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) or Restraints Control Module (RCM) Mounting Points and Hardware Inspect Inspect Inspect