NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
9 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 21, 2025
Exterior Lighting
The front drivers headlight low beam keeps going out. I just received my second warning for this failure. It got dark before I got home from the store. We took it to a friend who does mechanical work back in the spring. He fixed it; but now it’s doing it again. Yes we had it inspected last November for tag renewal. There are no…
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The front drivers headlight low beam keeps going out. I just received my second warning for this failure. It got dark before I got home from the store. We took it to a friend who does mechanical work back in the spring. He fixed it; but now it’s doing it again. Yes we had it inspected last November for tag renewal. There are no warning lights or signals that come on.i think it started acting up around November 2024
NHTSA ODI #11668385
163,000 miles · Jan 8, 2021
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
DASH ON VEHICLE IS CRACKED, AS IT GETS COLDER IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE CAUSING CRACK TO THE POINT OF THE DASH FALLING APART AS DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11387196
158,000 miles · Jun 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING TRUCK WILL DO SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS, DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING, STEREO COMING ON AND OFF, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TURNS OFF, ALL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR, TURN OFF AND ON SOMETIMES STAYING OFF LONG ENOUGH AT NIGHT WILL SCARE YOU, TRUCK SPEEDS UP BUT THE…
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FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING TRUCK WILL DO SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS, DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING, STEREO COMING ON AND OFF, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TURNS OFF, ALL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR, TURN OFF AND ON SOMETIMES STAYING OFF LONG ENOUGH AT NIGHT WILL SCARE YOU, TRUCK SPEEDS UP BUT THEN SOMETIMES LOSING POWER. ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS IN MOTION. I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY DAY WHICH IS BAD WHEN TRUCK DOES THESE THINGS. NOT A SAFE SITUATION FOR ME. THEN SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF YOU HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE. IF YOU DO NOTHING BATTERY WILL BE DEAD WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT NEXT TIME. I CAN GET IT TO STOP THE CLICKING BY RAISING HOOD I AND TAPPING ON POSITIVE BATTERY CAN I LET OR THE MEGA FUSE THAT IS ON THE FIREWALL. CHEVROLET HAS RECALLED THE 2008 TRUCKS FOR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS. I *TR
NHTSA ODI #11327276
138,000 miles · Jan 17, 2020
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS. HARVEY'S GM CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK 1500 TYLER AVE, RADFORD, VA 24141 (540) 639-3923 REPLACED THE HIGH BEAM SOCKETS WIRING ON THE PASSENGER'S S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS. HARVEY'S GM CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK 1500 TYLER AVE, RADFORD, VA 24141 (540) 639-3923 REPLACED THE HIGH BEAM SOCKETS WIRING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. *BF*JB
NHTSA ODI #11300115
75,000 miles · May 12, 2018
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING IN MOTION IN RAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11093473
35,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 02/15/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10937550
5 miles · May 24, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE BRAKE SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ALWAYS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE BRAKE SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LIGHTS. HE OBSERVED THE BRAKE LIGHTS USING THE GLASS WINDOWS. HE QUICKLY LET OFF THE PEDAL ABOUT 1/2 TO ONE INCH AND HE NOTICED THE LIGHTS WENT OUT BEFORE THE PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10459580
7,000 miles · May 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN GRAPEVINE, TX IN JANUARY 2010. THE FIRST FEW MONTHS I HAD THE VEHICLE, I HAD NO PROBLEMS. STARTING IN MARCH 2010 I NOTICED THAT MY RADIO(NAVIGATION SYSTEM) WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WOULD SHORT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYTHING OF IT. I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD TO BE T…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN GRAPEVINE, TX IN JANUARY 2010. THE FIRST FEW MONTHS I HAD THE VEHICLE, I HAD NO PROBLEMS. STARTING IN MARCH 2010 I NOTICED THAT MY RADIO(NAVIGATION SYSTEM) WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WOULD SHORT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYTHING OF IT. I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD TO BE THE RADIO STATION OR INTERFERENCE WITH OTHER WIRELESS SIGNALS. I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT IT WOULD BECOME A PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. ON 5/5/2012, I WAS TRAVELING 70MPH AT NIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED LIKE IT WAS "RESETTING" ITSELF MULTIPLE TIMES. FROM DOOR LOCKS TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TO NAVIGATION SYSTEM, TO EVEN HEADLIGHTS, EVERYTHING CYCLED MORE THAN 3 OR 4 TIMES IN RAPID SUCCESSION. I WAS MERELY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HADN'T JUST TOUCHED ANYTHING, I WAS JUST CRUISING ALONG. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS DESIGN OF THE SILVERADO. FORUM AFTER FORUM HAS OWNERS DESCRIBING THIS SAME ISSUE AND MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD END UP KILLING SOMEONE. HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS THAT TURN OFF WITHOUT CAUSE? WHAT IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS AFFECTED AND IT CAUSES A PREMATURE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE SOMEONE IS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED? THIS IS NOT AND ISOLATED ISSUE AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN TO FORCE GENERAL MOTORS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE ALONG WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT GENERAL MOTORS MAY BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE 2011 AND 2012 SILVERADOS HAVE HAD DESIGN CHANGES MADE TO THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.(I READ THIS IN FORUMS AS WELL.) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458078
13,200 miles · Sep 6, 2010
Exterior Lighting
WHEN DRIVING HEADLIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY. NOTIFIED DEALER AUGUST 2010. DEALER STATED THEY HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS, BUT FIND NO PROBLEM. THIS OCCURS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354050
Official recalls
3Feb 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.
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, 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." 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 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 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 N212328780.
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.
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
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
EA21002 · 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.