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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

Structure complaints

38 reports
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60,000 miles · May 9, 2017
Structure

PAINT AROUND 3RD BRAKE LT. ON BACK OF CAB IS BUBBLING & STARTING TO CORRODE. THIS IS THE ONLY SPOT ON THE ENTIRE TRUCK WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING, IT IS PLAIN TO SEE THAT IT IS BEING CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE SEAL BETWEEN THE BRAKE LT. & THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS STARTED TO ERODE, BUT IN FEB. 2017 IS WHEN I TOOK…

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PAINT AROUND 3RD BRAKE LT. ON BACK OF CAB IS BUBBLING & STARTING TO CORRODE. THIS IS THE ONLY SPOT ON THE ENTIRE TRUCK WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING, IT IS PLAIN TO SEE THAT IT IS BEING CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE SEAL BETWEEN THE BRAKE LT. & THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS STARTED TO ERODE, BUT IN FEB. 2017 IS WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE IS WHEN I NOTICED HOW BAD THE PAINT WAS BUBBLING AROUND THE BRAKE LT.. FROM THE LOOKS OF THE DAMAGE & FROM WHAT THE BODY SHOP REPAIR PERSON STATED, THIS HAS BEEN ERODING FOR A MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10984410

90,000 miles · May 2, 2017
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND TRAVELING TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IS PROTECTED FROM HEAT BOTH AT HOME, AT WORK, AND WITH A VISOR. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT GM, THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10983028

50,000 miles · Apr 19, 2017
Structure

I'M WRITING ABOUT MY DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY CREW CAB AND I'M ON MY 3RD DASHBOARD FOR THIS TRUCK. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK THAT IS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. THIS IS DEFINITELY AND MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN OF DASH AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I…

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I'M WRITING ABOUT MY DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY CREW CAB AND I'M ON MY 3RD DASHBOARD FOR THIS TRUCK. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK THAT IS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. THIS IS DEFINITELY AND MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN OF DASH AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE OUT THE DASH AGAIN THIS WEEK BUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP FROM HERE?

NHTSA ODI #10979237

28,000 miles · Feb 15, 2017
Structure

THE DASH CRACKED IN MULTIPLE AREAS AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS. THE CRACKS ARE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AROUND THE AIRBAG HOUSING. IT STARTED WITH THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG THEN LATER WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE CRACKS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND PIECES OF THE DASH ARE PROTRUDING UP. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY WILL NOT DO …

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THE DASH CRACKED IN MULTIPLE AREAS AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS. THE CRACKS ARE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AROUND THE AIRBAG HOUSING. IT STARTED WITH THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG THEN LATER WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE CRACKS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND PIECES OF THE DASH ARE PROTRUDING UP. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DASH SAYING IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I STRONGLY DISAGREE. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FRAGMENTS FROM THE DASH COULD BECOME PROJECTILES AND CAUSE SEVERE INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #10954638

45,000 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE INNER DOOR PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE INNER DOOR PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10946597

23,000 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEVERAL OTHER PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEVERAL OTHER PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10911111

28,900 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Structure

DASH COVER CRACKS PRESENT A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF CRASH/COLLISION WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DUE TO SHARP FLYING DEBRIS. DASH IS CONSTRUCTED OF HARD PLASTIC THAT FRACTURES IN NORMAL USE/WEAR WHICH RESULTS SHARP AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.

NHTSA ODI #10895465

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2016
Structure

TRUCK HAS SEVERE ACCELERATED CORROSION ON FRAME, BRAKE LINES, AND MOST OF UNDER CARRIAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10884649

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2016
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2010 SILVERADO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED ON THE DASH BY THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. A MONTH OR SO LATER ANOTHER CRACK DEVELOPED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT IS NOW (YEARS LATER) A FOOT IN LENGTH. THERE IS A 3RD CRACK DEVELOPING. I HAVE 3 FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR TRUCKS AND THESE CRACKS OCCURRED…

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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2010 SILVERADO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED ON THE DASH BY THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. A MONTH OR SO LATER ANOTHER CRACK DEVELOPED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT IS NOW (YEARS LATER) A FOOT IN LENGTH. THERE IS A 3RD CRACK DEVELOPING. I HAVE 3 FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR TRUCKS AND THESE CRACKS OCCURRED IN THE IDENTICAL SPOT ON THEIR DASHS. IT HAS TO BE A RISK TO THE AIRBAG, OR IN ANY FRONT IMPACT. THESE CRACKS ARE SHARP AND RIGHT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FACE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10865522

18,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS DUE TO POOR MADE PRODUCTS OR POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. DUE TO THE EXPLOSIVE NATURE OF THE AIRBAGS AS WELL AS THE LOCATION OF THE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD, I FEAR THE AIRBAG WILL GO OFF IN A FRONT END COLLISION CAUSING …

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THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS DUE TO POOR MADE PRODUCTS OR POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. DUE TO THE EXPLOSIVE NATURE OF THE AIRBAGS AS WELL AS THE LOCATION OF THE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD, I FEAR THE AIRBAG WILL GO OFF IN A FRONT END COLLISION CAUSING SHARP PLASTIC PIECES FROM THE DASHBOARD TO UNNECESSARILY INJURE ME AND/ OR MY PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI #10821566

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.