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2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

224 reports with mileage · 220 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 230 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2023
Power Train

Going down a busy road transmission started hunting for gears downshifting very hard finally like it was trying to go into park very dangerous situation trying to get out of traffic and get stopped

NHTSA ODI #11543103

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

The TCM failed in rush hour traffic! In Minneapolis Minnesota, the stability control light came on, traction control light came on, no throttle, no power. We backed up traffic, got push to the side of the road, towed to the service shop, and was told the Transmission control module (TCM) failed. Then told they are on national…

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The TCM failed in rush hour traffic! In Minneapolis Minnesota, the stability control light came on, traction control light came on, no throttle, no power. We backed up traffic, got push to the side of the road, towed to the service shop, and was told the Transmission control module (TCM) failed. Then told they are on national backorder from GM. The truck has been down for 3 months with no answers or parts in sight.

NHTSA ODI #11540427

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

For the last few months, my Silverado 1500 Hybrid has been experiencing "bump jerk" phenomenon related to the Hybrid mode auto stop mode and the auxiliary transmission pump intermittently not operating correctly. This issue is intermittent. Sometimes in autostop, the truck behaves normally in Hybrid mode. However, when the au…

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For the last few months, my Silverado 1500 Hybrid has been experiencing "bump jerk" phenomenon related to the Hybrid mode auto stop mode and the auxiliary transmission pump intermittently not operating correctly. This issue is intermittent. Sometimes in autostop, the truck behaves normally in Hybrid mode. However, when the auxiliary transmission pump is not operating correctly in auto stop mode and below 25 mph, the truck is at risk of not moving forward in proportion to throttle response as well as rolling backward if my foot is let off the brake while in traffic. After some research, this issue is described in PIP4751G.

NHTSA ODI #11441112

43,000 miles · Dec 18, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH STABILI TRAK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. ALL POWER TO ENGINE GONE AND I SEE IN CHEVY FORUM THIS IS COMMON WTH WHERE IS THE RECALL?? OH ONLY 43,000 MILES TOO

NHTSA ODI #11289928

112,651 miles · Mar 23, 2018
EnginePower Train

ON MARCH 21, 2018, AT OR CLOSE TO 1:45 PM, WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN ILLUMINATING AND PRODUCING AUDITABLE ALARMS. THE MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED TO 'CHECK OIL PRESSURE.' DURING THIS FAILURE, I LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY'S TRAFFIC AS OT…

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ON MARCH 21, 2018, AT OR CLOSE TO 1:45 PM, WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN ILLUMINATING AND PRODUCING AUDITABLE ALARMS. THE MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED TO 'CHECK OIL PRESSURE.' DURING THIS FAILURE, I LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY'S TRAFFIC AS OTHER VEHICLES WERE FOLLOWING ME, ONE OF WHICH CAME VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING ME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY IN WHICH THEY HAD INDICATED THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD REPLACED, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ON AT LEAST FOUR PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE REPAIR FACILITY HAS INDICATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO AN 'OIL PUMP FAILURE' THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE MILEAGE IS 112,651; I SURE WOULD NOT EXPECT SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT ENDANGERED OTHER MOTORISTS AND MYSELF. THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING OF THIS FAILURE; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ILLUMINATED BEFORE THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11081006

72,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TRUCK HAD MASSIVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE DOOR LOCKS CYCLED ON AND OFF OVER AND OVER AS WELL AS THE DOOR CHIMES COMING ON CONSTANTLY. HVAC DEFAULTED TO FULL HEAT FROM AIR CONDITIONING MODE. …

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TRUCK HAD MASSIVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE DOOR LOCKS CYCLED ON AND OFF OVER AND OVER AS WELL AS THE DOOR CHIMES COMING ON CONSTANTLY. HVAC DEFAULTED TO FULL HEAT FROM AIR CONDITIONING MODE. STABILITRACK SYSTEMS SHOWED INOPERATIVE AS WELL AS ABS SYSTEM. THE RAPID DOWNSHIFT FROM CRUISE TO 2ND GEAR CAUSED TIRES TO LOCK UP. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WET OR SLIPPERY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE ENGINE REVVED TO 4-5 THOUSAND RPM, AS IT DOWNSHIFTED AND MY SPEED DROPPED LIKE I WAS LOCKING THE BRAKES. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND THE DECELERATION CAME ON WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, AS IT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE TRANSMISSION RAPID DOWNSHIFT. I CONTACTED GM VIA THEIR CHAT LINE, REFERENCE [XXX]. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND BOUGHT OVER-SEAS SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK FOR HELP WITH REPAIRS. IT IS PRESUMABLY CAUSED BY FAULTY BATTERY CABLES. THIS CONDITION IS REPORTED REPEATEDLY ON THE INTERNET I.E. YOUTUBE AMAZON ETC. THESE PARTS ARE NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR COMPONENTS AND SINCE THEY CAUSE MASSIVE SAFETY RELATED CONTROL ISSUES THEIR MANUFACTURING QUALITY IS IN QUESTION. I WANT TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO HELP PREVENT SOMEONE ELSE POSSIBLY HAVING AN INJURY TO THEIR LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF A KNOWN CONDITION THAT COULD BE REPAIRED WITH A 125.00 PART. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUCKALEW CHEV IN CONROE TX. AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY CABLES. I HAVE THAT INVOICE. I HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT FROM THE INITIAL CHAT WITH GM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11024836

98,000 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE INCORRECT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE INCORRECT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10969299

90,000 miles · Nov 6, 2016
Air BagsPower Train

TAKATA RECALL. GM SAYS ON NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THEY CONSIDER MY TRUCK SAFE TO DRIVE ALL THEY DID WAS TURN THE AIR BAG OFF. WHICH MAKES A KEY SAFETY COMPONENT INOPERABLE THIS IS NOT EXCEPTABLE. AND THEY STILL CAN'T REPLACE THE INFLAITER, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THIS IS ALSO UNEXCEPTABLE. MY QUESTION IS - IS THIS AN…

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TAKATA RECALL. GM SAYS ON NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THEY CONSIDER MY TRUCK SAFE TO DRIVE ALL THEY DID WAS TURN THE AIR BAG OFF. WHICH MAKES A KEY SAFETY COMPONENT INOPERABLE THIS IS NOT EXCEPTABLE. AND THEY STILL CAN'T REPLACE THE INFLAITER, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THIS IS ALSO UNEXCEPTABLE. MY QUESTION IS - IS THIS AN EXCEPTABLE REMEDY EVEN IF TEMPORARY TO THE NHTSA. I FEEL AS THOUGH GM HAS REPLACED ONE POTENTIAL TRAGEDY WITH ANOTHER. I AM CONSIDERING CONTACTING A LAWYER. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ALWAYS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #10924546

155,000 miles · May 10, 2016
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO DRIVE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AND REPROGRAMMED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIPPED TO A THIRD PARTY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO DRIVE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AND REPROGRAMMED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIPPED TO A THIRD PARTY WHERE IT WAS REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10864241

16,615 miles · May 4, 2016
Power TrainService Brakes

STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE SO I BACKUP THEN IT WENT AHEAD. THE FIRST CORNER I WENT AROUND HEARD A SCRAPPING SOUND. WENT TO DEALER TRUCK HAD 16615 MI. ON IT , HAD 16615 MILES ON WHEN I GOT IT BACK, THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. HAD SAME TROUBLE 2 DAYS LATER WENT BACK TO DEALER THEN THEY TOLD ME BOTH REAR SEALS WE…

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STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE SO I BACKUP THEN IT WENT AHEAD. THE FIRST CORNER I WENT AROUND HEARD A SCRAPPING SOUND. WENT TO DEALER TRUCK HAD 16615 MI. ON IT , HAD 16615 MILES ON WHEN I GOT IT BACK, THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. HAD SAME TROUBLE 2 DAYS LATER WENT BACK TO DEALER THEN THEY TOLD ME BOTH REAR SEALS WERE LEAKING THAT ALSO RUINED BOTH REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS. ALL WAS REPLACED THEY SAID WAS NOT COVERED ON MY WARRANTY COST 191.20 REAR WHEEL SEALS, 98.08 FOR REAR WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDERS. GM WAS NO HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10863182

Official recalls

3

21V050000 · 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.

21V052000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

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.

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

2

DP22005 · 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.