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2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 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

167 reports with mileage · 195 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 197 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Power Train complaints

24 reports
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95,510 miles · Oct 17, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THREE DIFFERENT TIMES THE TRUCK THROTLE STUCK TO THE FLOOR ONLY WAY TO CORRECT IT WAS TO TURN THE KEY OFF THEN THE GAS PETAL WOULD RELEASE. WOULD HAFT TO PULL OFF ROAD THEN RESTART THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS ON HWY,EATHER PASSING OR PULLING ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI #11141125

64,000 miles · Sep 7, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WONT GO FORWARD IT ONLY GOES ON REVERSE.64.000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11128041

60,000 miles · Feb 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH DOWN A STEEP HILL, TOWING A UTILITY TRAILER, ON SR87 IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN THE DOOR LOCKS CLICKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AS IT ACCELERATED DOWN A CLIFF AND ATTEMPTE…

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MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH DOWN A STEEP HILL, TOWING A UTILITY TRAILER, ON SR87 IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN THE DOOR LOCKS CLICKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AS IT ACCELERATED DOWN A CLIFF AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT WITH NO LUCK. THERE WERE NO CARS IMMEDIATELY AROUND US SO WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON A STEEP INCLINE. WHEN WE GOT OUT TO CHECK IT, THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE WHEEL WELLS AND STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS HAD COME ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN ON OUR 6 YEAR OLD TRUCK. THERE WAS ZERO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN AS WELL AS TO WHY WE HAD NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. WE WERE TOLD TO PAY BETTER ATTENTION TO THE TEMP. EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT OVERHEAT. CHEVY OFFERED NO RELIEF OR HELP. WE WERE QUOTED A PRICE ABOUT $2000 LESS FOR THE INITIAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR THAN IT WOULD HAVE COST SO WE TOOK IT TO A NON-DEALERSHIP SHOP TO REPAIR. THIS WEEKEND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE INDICATING LOSS OF POWER AND THE STABILITRACK WARNING CAME ON EVEN THOUGHT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP ON A TSB ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT. THE CODE IT THREW THIS TIME WAS P0305 AND WE WERE ON VERY LIMITED POWER DRIVING BACK HOME FROM A ROAD TRIP. COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MPH UPHILL. EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY SINCE THE VEHICLE CAN TURN OFF WITH NO WARNING. ALSO, THE MONEY SPENT IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11073576

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2018
Power Train

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES LEAK AT EVERY FLEX HOSE CONNECTION. TRANS FLUID SPRAYS ON ROAD AND ON THE WINDSHIELDS OF VEHICLES FOLLOWING. THIS ON MANY YEARS OF THESE, MY 2005 SILVERADO 2500 HAD THE SAME DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11058496

23,300 miles · Jun 27, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHEN SHIFTING AT 25,33 &46 MPH. SOMETIMES THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNK FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE WE HAD 24000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. CURRENT MILES 59000MI. GM DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT VERIFY THE NOISES. ONE DEALER CHANGED THE TCM AND TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY SAME NOISES…

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TRANSMISSION MAKES CLUNKING NOISES WHEN SHIFTING AT 25,33 &46 MPH. SOMETIMES THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNK FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE WE HAD 24000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. CURRENT MILES 59000MI. GM DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT VERIFY THE NOISES. ONE DEALER CHANGED THE TCM AND TORQUE CONVERTER. VERY SAME NOISES WITHIN THE SAME WEEK OF THE CHANGE. STILL HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #11001769

128,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Power Train

HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM FAST FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE HAD FRACTURED. WENT HOME AND FOUND THAT GM HAD ISSUED A "CUSTOMER CARE BULLETIN" BACK IN 2012 ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, I RECEIVED NO LETTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CONTA…

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HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM FAST FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE HAD FRACTURED. WENT HOME AND FOUND THAT GM HAD ISSUED A "CUSTOMER CARE BULLETIN" BACK IN 2012 ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, I RECEIVED NO LETTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM THIS MORNING AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THIS "BULLITEN". THIS SHOULD NOT BE A "BULLETIN", BUT SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE IT INVOLVES POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. A DIPSTICK TUBE FRACTURE CAN LEAD TO WATER, DIRT, AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10758747

20,757 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Power Train

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A SOMEWHAT RELIABLE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF OF MY OWNERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN, AND STILL IS, THE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S ABILITY TO SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR AT RANDOM. AT INTERSECTIONS, STOPS A…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A SOMEWHAT RELIABLE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF OF MY OWNERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN, AND STILL IS, THE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S ABILITY TO SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR AT RANDOM. AT INTERSECTIONS, STOPS AND STARTS, AS WELL AS IN MOVEMENT THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE AND SLAM INTO GEAR WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND JERKING ACTION. ON AN INCLINE, IT WILL ACTUALLY ROLL BACKWARDS THUS FORCING THE NEED TO CONSTANTLY COVER THE BRAKE FOR THIS CONCERN. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS HE HAS DONE ALL HE CAN DO AND GM INSIST THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK THIS WAY. THEY EVEN ISSUED A COPY OF A MEMO TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS. THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WOULD BE COVERED. FORGET ABOUT CREATING AN ACCIDENT, OR MY WIFE OR MYSELF GETTING KILLED! I FIGURE THIS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO GET RID OF IT BEFORE IT GETS RID OF ME OR SOMEBODY ELSE UNLESS GM FIXES IT AND MAKES IT RIGHT. ECONOMICALLY I'M NOT IN A GOOD POSITION TO JUST GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I OWE SO MUCH ON IT BUT EVEN IF I DID AN UNSAFE VEHICLE IS PUT BACK INTO CIRCULATION FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DEAL WITH. ON ANOTHER NOTE, THE SERVICE MANAGER'S SHARED WITH THAT HIS FATHER BOUGHT A 2013 CHEVROLET TRUCK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION SLAM INTO GEAR THE SAME WAY MINE DID WHILE HE WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A TOLL BOOTH WHILE TOWING A BOAT BACK FROM CONNECTICUT. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM SPANNING ADDITIONAL YEARS AS WELL. CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN DRIVE TRAIN. PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE AND MAKE GM RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN ISSUING A MEMO AND TURNING THEIR HEADS THE OTHER WAY. THERE MIGHT BE MANY LIVES SAVE BY TAKING ACTION NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568766

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

2,100 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, SOMETIMES FROM A DEAD STOP, SOMETIMES WHILE GOING AT A SET SPEED IT WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. YOU HAVE TO FORCEFULLY PUT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.WE HAVE WRITTEN IT DOWN ON EVERY OCCASION AND THERE ARE 16 SO…

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THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, SOMETIMES FROM A DEAD STOP, SOMETIMES WHILE GOING AT A SET SPEED IT WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. YOU HAVE TO FORCEFULLY PUT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.WE HAVE WRITTEN IT DOWN ON EVERY OCCASION AND THERE ARE 16 SO FAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPAIR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NEVER CONTACTED US DESPITE THE PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499608

2,100 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

GAUGES STICK 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499604

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.

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

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.