IllustrationTAKATA RECALL. REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE??? COME ON GUYS! JUST REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MILTON RUBEN CHEVROLET (3514 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907, (888) 516-3797) WAS CONTACTED AND C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MILTON RUBEN CHEVROLET (3514 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907, (888) 516-3797) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ THAT WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2015 (38,000 MILES WITH A SMALL CRACK JUST ABOVE THE AIR BAG TO THE LEFT, RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF THE AIR BAG ON THE DASH BOARD. SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS CRACKED MORE OVER TIME TO A LONGER LENGTH ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT CORNER AND LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.…
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I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ THAT WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2015 (38,000 MILES WITH A SMALL CRACK JUST ABOVE THE AIR BAG TO THE LEFT, RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF THE AIR BAG ON THE DASH BOARD. SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS CRACKED MORE OVER TIME TO A LONGER LENGTH ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT CORNER AND LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE IS UP KEPT BUT THE DASH BOARD KEEPS CRACKING. IM NOTICING THE MULTIPLE VEHICLE AVALANCHE'S HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WHY HASNT IT BEEN RESOLVED OR A RECALL BEEN PLACED.
I AM VERY DISASIFIED WITH THE WAY THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDLED. I DRIVE A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ WITH 111,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2005 WITH 38,000 MILES. A YEAR LATER DURING THE SUMMER TIME I BEGAN TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES (WHILE IN MOTION VEHICLE GUAGES START SPAZZING OUT GOING UP AND DOWN, RADIO CUTS …
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I AM VERY DISASIFIED WITH THE WAY THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDLED. I DRIVE A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ WITH 111,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2005 WITH 38,000 MILES. A YEAR LATER DURING THE SUMMER TIME I BEGAN TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES (WHILE IN MOTION VEHICLE GUAGES START SPAZZING OUT GOING UP AND DOWN, RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT, DOOR LOCKS CYCLE UP AND DOWN AND VEHICLE STALLS, DOESNT SEEM TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY TRAVELING 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGINS TO ACT UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND MULTIPLE CARS DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED AS I TRY TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE BUT SEEMS STUCK IN NEUTRAL PREVENTING ME FROM QUICKLY GETTING OFF THE FREE WAY. AT TIMES I WILL CYCLE THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND ALL POWER CUTS OUT. I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE AND LIGHTS FLICKER BACK ON, WHICH IS MY CUE TO CYCLE THE IGNITION KEY BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND OTHERS IT DOESN'T. AT TIME POWER DOESN'T COME BACK FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. THIS OCCURS SPORADICALLY DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, STATING THEY COULDNT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ASSUMED THE IGNITION SWITCH SO THAT WAS CHANGED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET WHERE THEY OPENED A CASE BUT IT TROUBLES ME THAT THEY WORK ON A CASE BY CASE AND STATED THEY ARENT AWARE OF MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AGAIN WHERE THEY STILL COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THE CABLE MAY POSSIBLY BE THE REASON SO THAT IS STILL PENDING. IF THIS IS SO COMMON AND A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS ON THE HIGHWAY WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR CHEVROLET. I HAVE ATTACHED A DOCUMENT SENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE CABLES. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DUBLIN BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 4400 JOHN MONEGO CT, DUBLIN, CA 945…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DUBLIN BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 4400 JOHN MONEGO CT, DUBLIN, CA 94568, (925) 452-4461) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (KELLER MOTORS, 700 CADILLAC LN, HANFORD, CA, 866-882-6546) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (KELLER MOTORS, 700 CADILLAC LN, HANFORD, CA, 866-882-6546) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT IN RELATION TO THE RECALL AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE VEHICLE BE REPAIRED WITH NO COST. *JS
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN HANFORD CA AT KELLER MOTORS. THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT REPLACE AIRBAGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE REPLACEMENTS.
DASHBOARD CONTAINING PASSENGER SIDE IS SEVERELY CRACKED. IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, DASHBOARD MAY PREVENT PROPER OPERATION OF AIRBAG OR MAY SHATTER RESULTING IN PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD BEING PROJECTILES TOWARDS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. GM DEALER COST TO REPLACE DASHBOARD IS PROHIBITIVE. THE DASHBOARDS SHOULD …
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DASHBOARD CONTAINING PASSENGER SIDE IS SEVERELY CRACKED. IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, DASHBOARD MAY PREVENT PROPER OPERATION OF AIRBAG OR MAY SHATTER RESULTING IN PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD BEING PROJECTILES TOWARDS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. GM DEALER COST TO REPLACE DASHBOARD IS PROHIBITIVE. THE DASHBOARDS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NEW STYLE THAT GM DEALER CLAIMS NO LONGER CRACKS OR THE AIRBAG DISABLED.
TAKATA RECALL: RECALL NUMBER: 16V381 MYSELF, MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE MY 2010 CHEVY AVALANCHE. WE LIVE IN A REGION WITH HIGH SUMMER TEMPS, ALONG WITH VERY HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY ENTIRE FAMILY. WHAT DO I DO NOW? FOR GM TO NOT HAVE A REMEDY AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS IS UNACCEPTABLE.…
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TAKATA RECALL: RECALL NUMBER: 16V381 MYSELF, MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE MY 2010 CHEVY AVALANCHE. WE LIVE IN A REGION WITH HIGH SUMMER TEMPS, ALONG WITH VERY HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY ENTIRE FAMILY. WHAT DO I DO NOW? FOR GM TO NOT HAVE A REMEDY AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHEN WILL THIS TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE BE RESOLVED? HOW CAN I, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE ALLOW MY FAMILY TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK?
DASH BOARD HAS CRACKS BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND CRACKS BY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
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.