IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE TOW HITCH WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED WHILE THE TRAILER WAS ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
2010 Chevrolet Avalanche
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 82.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalanche years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1325–50K
2550–75K
1575–100K
15100–150K
1150K+
75 reports with mileage · 36 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
111 reportsTHE PLASTIC DASH HAS BEGAN TO SPILT IN NUMEROUS PLACES CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. THE DASH IS WORSENING AS TIME PASSES BY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE PLASTIC SHARDS MAY BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSE HARM TO OCCUPANTS RIDING IN MY VEHICLE. IT IS MY POSITION THAT THE CRACKS ARE AA MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND NO VAULT OF MY OWN. I CONTACTED …
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THE PLASTIC DASH HAS BEGAN TO SPILT IN NUMEROUS PLACES CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. THE DASH IS WORSENING AS TIME PASSES BY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE PLASTIC SHARDS MAY BREAK LOOSE AND CAUSE HARM TO OCCUPANTS RIDING IN MY VEHICLE. IT IS MY POSITION THAT THE CRACKS ARE AA MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND NO VAULT OF MY OWN. I CONTACTED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER AND GMC FAILING TO GET RESOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS INTERNET BLOGS AND A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GM SUV OWNERS ACROSS THE NATION HAVING THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS. ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY APPRECIATED. *TR
MY TRUCK DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE CRACK IS NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER IS ON TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE ONE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY VERY BAD IT'S ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG AND COMPLETELY CAVED IN. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS 4 YEARS OLD BUT IT IS ONLY 200…
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MY TRUCK DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE CRACK IS NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER IS ON TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE ONE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY VERY BAD IT'S ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG AND COMPLETELY CAVED IN. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS 4 YEARS OLD BUT IT IS ONLY 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY BY MILEAGE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS.
I WAS ON VACATION AND HAD MY AVALANCHE RUNNING WHILE I PACKED IT UP TO RETURN HOME. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF RUNNING IDLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND SERVICE STABILITRAK. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO THE TRUCK THREE TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME THEY REPLACED …
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I WAS ON VACATION AND HAD MY AVALANCHE RUNNING WHILE I PACKED IT UP TO RETURN HOME. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF RUNNING IDLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND SERVICE STABILITRAK. THIS HAD HAPPENED TO THE TRUCK THREE TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITIONAL SENSOR. (I ALSO HAD A 2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE, AND AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED SEVEN TIMES FOR FAILING SENSORS AND GOING INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THREE TIMES WE WERE FORCED TO SELL IT). WE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE! HOWEVER, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA AND THEY TESTED IT TO FIND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS OUT, AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ASSOCIATED SENSOR. I WAS RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT ISSUE THAN BEFORE AND THAT MY PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. LAST WEEK, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED AGAIN AND THE TRUCK IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR THE FIFTH TIME. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A BRIDGE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO BELOW 30 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE UP THE BRIDGE AND BARELY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT, AS THIS WAS IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ARE WORKING ON IT NOW. THIS IF THE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON A BRIDGE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO BELOW 30 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE UP THE BRIDGE AND BARELY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT, AS THIS WAS IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC AREA. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ARE WORKING ON IT NOW. THIS IF THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY TRUCK. MY WIFE AND I JUST SOLD OUR 2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND THE ONLY REASON WAS THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED ERROR OCCURRED ON IT SEVEN TIMES, THREE IN MONTH PRIOR TO SELLING IT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. BOTH CARS WERE ONLY EVER SERVICED AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND EACH TIME, THEY INSISTED IT WAS FIXED AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. WE HAVE NO FAITH IN CHEVROLET AT THIS TIME! *TR
CRACK APPEARED IN DASH WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOCATION. THE BAG MAY CATCH ON THE CRACK IF IT WAS DEPLOYED. *TR
GM TSB #10047479 THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM ON GM TRUCK AND SUV MODELS WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. THE WIRES RUB AGAINST THE MECHANISM CAUSING A SHORT AND MAKING ERRORS TO THE COMPUTER CAUSING COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF POWER. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP, AND CHARGED $300 FOR LABOR NO PARTS INVOLVED. NOT COVERED BECAUS…
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GM TSB #10047479 THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM ON GM TRUCK AND SUV MODELS WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. THE WIRES RUB AGAINST THE MECHANISM CAUSING A SHORT AND MAKING ERRORS TO THE COMPUTER CAUSING COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF POWER. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP, AND CHARGED $300 FOR LABOR NO PARTS INVOLVED. NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS A TSB, NOT A RECALL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FROM LOSS OF POWER. *TR
AFTER I PURCHASE THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010 UNDER MY BROTHER IN LAW'S NAME, I HAVE PROBABLY FIX THE CAR 5 TIMES FOR ENGINE POWER REDUCE, STABILITRAK AND ALL EVERY SERVICE LIGHTS AT THE DEALER BUT IT HAD HAPPEN AGAIN ON HIGHWAY AGAIN YESTERDAY, SAW THAT GM RECALL CAR ON FEB 13 FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH FOR LOSING POWER AND ITS H…
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AFTER I PURCHASE THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010 UNDER MY BROTHER IN LAW'S NAME, I HAVE PROBABLY FIX THE CAR 5 TIMES FOR ENGINE POWER REDUCE, STABILITRAK AND ALL EVERY SERVICE LIGHTS AT THE DEALER BUT IT HAD HAPPEN AGAIN ON HIGHWAY AGAIN YESTERDAY, SAW THAT GM RECALL CAR ON FEB 13 FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH FOR LOSING POWER AND ITS HAPPENING TO CHEVY AVALANCHE TOO. ONE WORST CASE WAS IN 2011 DRIVING TO MARYLAND AT 12 MIDNIGHT ON HIGHWAY THE SPEED DROPPED TO 30MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER NEXT DAY BUT IT SEAMS I LOSS POWER EVERY YEAR AND HAVE TO FIX IT EVERY YEAR. *TR
VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM EXCESSIVE FRONT/SIDE WINDOW FOGGING IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND THE MANUAL HVAC CONTROLS WILL NOT PERMIT THE USE OF A/C TO REMOVE THE HUMIDITY FROM THE CABIN. IN SUMMER MONTHS OR TEMPERATURES ABOVE FREEZING, THE A/C WILL ENGAGE WHEN THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER IS ENABLED AND IS EFFECTIVE. WITH THE HVA…
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VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM EXCESSIVE FRONT/SIDE WINDOW FOGGING IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND THE MANUAL HVAC CONTROLS WILL NOT PERMIT THE USE OF A/C TO REMOVE THE HUMIDITY FROM THE CABIN. IN SUMMER MONTHS OR TEMPERATURES ABOVE FREEZING, THE A/C WILL ENGAGE WHEN THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER IS ENABLED AND IS EFFECTIVE. WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM IN FULL DEFROST AND NO A/C, THE FOGGING ACTUALLY GETS WORSE AND VISIBILITY DECREASES TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND WE HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND WIPE THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE GLASS DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 OR SO TIMES SINCE ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2010. AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE DEALER RESOLVE IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. *TR
THE DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHEVROLET TRUCKS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE AIR BAG MAY BE COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT PIECES OF THE AIRBAG COULD BREAK OFF AND STRIKE T…
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THE DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHEVROLET TRUCKS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE AIR BAG MAY BE COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT PIECES OF THE AIRBAG COULD BREAK OFF AND STRIKE THE OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR IT MAY DEFLECT THE AIR BAG ALTOGETHER. CHEVROLET IS NOT TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A PART THAT WOULD RECEIVE WEAR AND TEAR AND IT IS JUST AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. *TR
Official recalls
321V050000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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 March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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 24, 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 N212328790.
21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.