Curtain airbags unintended deployment questions

[Sterling Hess]

First post here, been doing a lot of searching and reading on this site, but couldn't find an answer related to an issue I had.

 

I recently bought a brand new 2015 Sierra 1500, SLE, 4WD Crew cab, 6.5' bed, to replace my 2004 Chevy Avalance. I had the curtain airbags deploy on me while on a mountainous road, bumpy, ruts, and side angles. GM is fixing the issue once on goodwill, so it is taken care of.

 

So my question is there a way to temporally disable the airbags or curtain airbags (GM won't answer that obviosly)? From what I read, the new trucks have more electronics intergrated, and its no longer simply pulling the fuse marked airbags. Manual doesn't show any "airbag" fuse. I was thinking there may be a fuse, but its no longer marked "airbag." They weren't certian if shifting into 4-HI or 4-LOW would change the parameters for airbag deployment.

 

If there isn't really a way, I'll try to get some answers from GM on more specifics on what will set it off... is there a minumim speed? Angle? The represnetative made it sound like there is gov't specs on when curtian airbags will deploy in a rollover, but I thought it was more proprietary to each company?

 

I don't plan to 4-wheel my truck much (I have a RZR for that now) but it is nice to be able to 4-wheel to a camping spot or somthing like that every so often without worry of airbag deployment.

 

Thanks,

Sterling

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

I'm thinking it was just a freak thing and probably won't happen again. I've hit ruts pretty hard on gravel roads in my '14 and haven't had an issue.

[Sterling Hess]

I'm thinking it was just a freak thing and probably won't happen again. I've hit ruts pretty hard on gravel roads in my '14 and haven't had an issue.

 

Thats sort of what I'm hoping happened...but if it happens again its not a cheap repair...

[ghgmi]

On my old truck you could use the key to disable the passenger-side bag via a switch in the dash. This was so that an infant seat could be used in the passenger seat. That was only really necessary in the regular cab version of the truck, but mine still had the switch.

 

I don't know if the newer crew cabs still have that switch, or if it has any effect on the curtain airbags.

[Kevhar]

Just had this same thing happen to me!! No marks, dents, or damage to vehicle. 

[Behramshah Zack]

Did you guys find a solution? It happened to my 2014 too. And I continue to do off-roading and therefore cannot afford to keep having the airbags go off for no reason at all.