NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
32 reportsClear category filter49,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET (1250 SOUTH WILLOW STREET, MANCHESTER, NH 03103, PHONE NUMBER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK CHEVROLET (1250 SOUTH WILLOW STREET, MANCHESTER, NH 03103, PHONE NUMBER: 603-263-4530) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #11071809
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2017
Engine
I WAS OVER LOOKING MY TRUCK CHECKING THE BELTS, HOSES AND FLUIDS. I FOUND A BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE. I TRIED CALLING THE DEALERSHIP I LEFT A VOICEMAIL BUT NO CALL BACK AS OF YET. I AM FINDING OUT THAT GM WILL NOT RECALL THE COMMON BREAKING PROBLEM WITH THESE BOLTS. THESE BOLTS THAT ARE BREAKING ARE…
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I WAS OVER LOOKING MY TRUCK CHECKING THE BELTS, HOSES AND FLUIDS. I FOUND A BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE. I TRIED CALLING THE DEALERSHIP I LEFT A VOICEMAIL BUT NO CALL BACK AS OF YET. I AM FINDING OUT THAT GM WILL NOT RECALL THE COMMON BREAKING PROBLEM WITH THESE BOLTS. THESE BOLTS THAT ARE BREAKING ARE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND ALSO COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS I AM FINDING OUT THAT ARE HAPPENING TO VEHICLES/ENGINES DUE TO THESE BOLTS BREAKING. I WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU TO HELP GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HOPE TO HEAR BACK FORM YOU IN SOME WAY.
NHTSA ODI #11021272
45,000 miles · Apr 19, 2017
Engine
5.3L ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE CONSUMES 3 TO 4 QTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND FOULS #7 SPARK PLUG CAUSING EXTREME LOSS OF POWER. OIL CONSUMPTION IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN WARRANTY EXTENSION.
NHTSA ODI #10979356
78,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM STOPPED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS LIFTER FAILURE AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM STOPPED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS LIFTER FAILURE AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10959157
100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME ACTIVATED AND THE "SHUT VEHICLE OFF LOW OIL PRESSURE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, AN AUDIBLE CHIME ACTIVATED AND THE "SHUT VEHICLE OFF LOW OIL PRESSURE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE OIL SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10955311
119,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Air BagsEngine
BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN APRIL, 2016 AND NOW HAVE A CONSTANT KNOCK FROM ENGINE. I WAS TOLD IT IS PROBABLY THE LIFTERS. I DID RESEARCH TO FIND MANY OTHERS HAVING ISSUES WITH LIFTERS ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE AFM/DOD WHICH CONTROLS FUEL AND CYLINDER USE WHEN AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I TRAVEL BY HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK. I STILL OWE…
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BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN APRIL, 2016 AND NOW HAVE A CONSTANT KNOCK FROM ENGINE. I WAS TOLD IT IS PROBABLY THE LIFTERS. I DID RESEARCH TO FIND MANY OTHERS HAVING ISSUES WITH LIFTERS ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE AFM/DOD WHICH CONTROLS FUEL AND CYLINDER USE WHEN AT STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I TRAVEL BY HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK. I STILL OWE $17,000 ON THIS TRUCK. IT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
NHTSA ODI #10950221
90,000 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY THE SERVICE STAILBITRACK CONTROL COMES ON WITH REDUCE ENGINE POWER. THE TRUCK HESITATES AND CAN NOT GET UP TO SPEED. I TRAVEL THE HIGHWAY EVERYDAY AND THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10854565
32,000 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System
DRIVING 65 ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. MESSAGE CENTER SAID REDUCED POWER I GOT TO A SMALL SERVICE GARAGE AND HE TOLD ME I SHOULD SHUT IT OFF WAIT 15 MINUTES AND IT WILL RESET AND IT DID. I DROVE ANOTHER 80 MILES AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE FIRST GARAGE GUY TOLD ME IT WAS A GM …
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DRIVING 65 ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. MESSAGE CENTER SAID REDUCED POWER I GOT TO A SMALL SERVICE GARAGE AND HE TOLD ME I SHOULD SHUT IT OFF WAIT 15 MINUTES AND IT WILL RESET AND IT DID. I DROVE ANOTHER 80 MILES AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE FIRST GARAGE GUY TOLD ME IT WAS A GM ISSUE AND I SHOULD GO SEE THEM THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT. HE SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND IN THE COLD IT GET SLUGGISH AND GM SHOULD FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THEM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 20 MILES LATER. I GOT BACK TO THE GM DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT HE CONFIRMED IT WAS THEY THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY BUT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REPLACE IT. HE OFFERED TO CLEAN IT (FREE OF CHARGE) AND SENT ME ON MY WAY TELLING ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN I SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE (APPROX. 400-600 DOLLARS). I DONE SOME INVESTIGATING ON THIS MATTER AND FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE. I STOPPED AT ANOTHER GM DEALER AND EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM HE CONFIRMED THE ORIGINAL THEORY CHECKED THE VIN # AND TOLD ME GM IS FIXING THIS PROBLEM FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. I GUESS I NEED TO STOP BUYING FROM MY ORIGINAL GM DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED MY LAST TWO VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT AGAIN BUT I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 600 MILES SINCE THEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694081
55,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Engine
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSED SPARK PLUGS TO PREMATURELY FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND RUN ROUGH. SPARK PLUGS FROM CYLINDERS #1 AND #7 WERE FOUND OIL FOULED AND/OR CRACKED. PER SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND MADE VARIOUS OTHER REPAIRS RELATED TO THE OIL CONSUMP…
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EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSED SPARK PLUGS TO PREMATURELY FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND RUN ROUGH. SPARK PLUGS FROM CYLINDERS #1 AND #7 WERE FOUND OIL FOULED AND/OR CRACKED. PER SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND MADE VARIOUS OTHER REPAIRS RELATED TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. INITIAL REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM (1/2 QUART BURNED IN APPROXIMATELY 1,000 - 2,000 MILES) AND OIL WAS VISIBLE ON THE NEW SPARK PLUGS WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF AFM REPAIR WORK. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL" ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTOR'S STANDARDS. THE DEALERSHIP/GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AGREED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE TRUCKS PISTONS AND RINGS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM BUT NO DEFINITE OR LONG-TERM SOLUTION HAS BEEN INDICATED TO CORRECT THE SOURCE OF THE AFM/OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE SUCCESS OF THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS IS PENDING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633824
42,178 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. TODAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING MY 2010 SILVERADO ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT 3 FEET. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT A CAR OR PERSON IN FRONT OF ME OR I SURELY WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT THEN THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING. AT THE…
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THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. TODAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING MY 2010 SILVERADO ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT 3 FEET. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT A CAR OR PERSON IN FRONT OF ME OR I SURELY WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT THEN THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING. AT THE SAME TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILTRAK, ENGINE POWER REDUCED FLASHED ON MY DASH. I LIMPED HOME AT 10-15 MPH MAX! AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I STARTED IT AND IT RAN JUST FINE "BOTH TIMES". THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. IT IS NOW AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555925
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 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.
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
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.