NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
444 reports19,003 miles · Mar 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES DUE TO A BURNT BEARING ON CAM SHAFT. DEFECTIVE ENGINE REPLACED WITH NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE WHICH ALSO SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 150 MILES. THIS SECOND FAILURE WAS IN THE COOLANT PORT DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT-EXCESSIVE FLASH IN WATER PORT.…
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2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES DUE TO A BURNT BEARING ON CAM SHAFT. DEFECTIVE ENGINE REPLACED WITH NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE WHICH ALSO SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 150 MILES. THIS SECOND FAILURE WAS IN THE COOLANT PORT DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT-EXCESSIVE FLASH IN WATER PORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392931
100 miles · Jan 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE ON GRADES OR EVER SMALL SLOPES. THE VEHICLE FREE ROLLS AS FAST AS YOU WILL LET IT IN OVER DRIVE, 3RD GEAR, 1ST OR 2ND. THERE IS NO ENGINE BREAKING AT ALL. GM SAYS THIS IS PROPER OPERATION FOR THE VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NO SOFTWARE OR MEC…
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I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE ON GRADES OR EVER SMALL SLOPES. THE VEHICLE FREE ROLLS AS FAST AS YOU WILL LET IT IN OVER DRIVE, 3RD GEAR, 1ST OR 2ND. THERE IS NO ENGINE BREAKING AT ALL. GM SAYS THIS IS PROPER OPERATION FOR THE VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NO SOFTWARE OR MECHANICAL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2004 OF THE SAME MODEL AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY, WITH VERY EFFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, AND ACTUALLY IN MY OPINION CANNOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT, THAT GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE AS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN DESIGN. THE SAME DAY MY VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED, THE LOCAL POLICE HAD ONE OF THEIR TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR IN THE SHOP WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT CANNOT USE THIS OPTION ON THE VEHICLE, I CAN ONLY RIDE MY BREAKS DOWN SLOPES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10375040
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. CONSUMER STATES HIS WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *TGW
NHTSA ODI #10374131
5,000 miles · Dec 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HEAR A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. VARIES WITH ENGINE RPM, VEHICLE CAN BE PARKED AND YOU'LL STILL HEAR IT. ONLY HAPPENS IN EXTREME COLD SITUATIONS, USUALLY SUB ZERO. I LIVE IN FAIRBANKS. OTHER THAN THE NOISE, VEHICLE OPERATES JUST FINE. IT CAN BE QUITE LOUD. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MAK…
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I HEAR A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. VARIES WITH ENGINE RPM, VEHICLE CAN BE PARKED AND YOU'LL STILL HEAR IT. ONLY HAPPENS IN EXTREME COLD SITUATIONS, USUALLY SUB ZERO. I LIVE IN FAIRBANKS. OTHER THAN THE NOISE, VEHICLE OPERATES JUST FINE. IT CAN BE QUITE LOUD. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT'S HAPPENING. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED CHANGING THE HEAT SETTING FROM FLOOR/DASH TO JUST FLOOR. THAT FIXES IT. APPARENTLY THIS ISN'T ENOUGH INFO FOR THEM AS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO FIX. I WANTED THIS ON RECORD IN THE EVENT SOMETHING BROKE JUST AFTER IT WENT OUT OF WARRANTY. CURRENTLY APPROACHING 25K MILES ON THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10371168
38,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SEAT BELTS, THE HEADLINER AND THE CEILING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWDERY RESIDUE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SEAT BELTS, THE HEADLINER AND THE CEILING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWDERY RESIDUE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS EXPELLED FROM THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN ENGINEER COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN TEN DAYS AND THE RESULTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN 120 DAYS OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10360625
37,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
ON CHEVY SILVERADO TRUCKS, YEAR 2009, THE LOCKING MECHANISM BREAKS AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR ON ALL FOUR DOORS CAUSING MY CHILD TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE KEYLESS ENTRY, AUTOMATIC LOCKING WHEN CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE, AND LOCK BUTTONS WILL NOT OPERATE AND ALLOWS THE LOCK TO ONLY OPEN MANUALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357062
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
19,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNSURE AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLASH ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNSURE AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF A NEW CHARGING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10350243
12,500 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB, 13,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. JUST WEEKS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. DEALERSHIP, AGAIN, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348177
3,050 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN WARM WEATHER, THE PASSENGERS REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REPAIRS TO THE WINDOW WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE CONTACTS WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE SAFETY RELATED DUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN WARM WEATHER, THE PASSENGERS REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REPAIRS TO THE WINDOW WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE CONTACTS WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE SAFETY RELATED DUE TO THE GLASS SHATTERING AND FLYING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 3,050.
NHTSA ODI #10334110
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.
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