NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
362 reports50,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other
CRACKS HAVE FORMED ALONG THE DASH BOARD ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT ANY SORT OF EVENT HAPPENING THAT WOULD LEAD THE CRACKS FORMING SUCH AS AN ACCIDENT, ETC. THE CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG THAT SEEMS TO BE AN SAFETY ISSUES IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE CRACKS LEAD TO SHARP EDGES TH…
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CRACKS HAVE FORMED ALONG THE DASH BOARD ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT ANY SORT OF EVENT HAPPENING THAT WOULD LEAD THE CRACKS FORMING SUCH AS AN ACCIDENT, ETC. THE CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG THAT SEEMS TO BE AN SAFETY ISSUES IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE CRACKS LEAD TO SHARP EDGES THAT COULD EITHER BREAK OFF AND CAUSE SHARP PLASTIC PIECES TO FLY AT THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR THE SHARP EDGES MAY PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG CAUSING IT TO NOT PERFORM AS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE PASSENGER. AFTER TALKING TO THE CHEVROLET BODY SHOP AND READING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS, THIS ISSUE IS COMMON NOT ONLY IN THE SILVERADO BUT ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP MANAGER, IT STRETCHES ACROSS ALL GM PLATFORMS SUCH AS THE ESCALADE.
NHTSA ODI #10818206
87,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Structure
NOTICED DASH CRACKED, ON PASSENGER SIDE ON CORNER OF AIR BAG INSERT. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND THIS CRACK AND OTHERS COMMON ON I BELIEVE 2007 - 2013 GM TRUCKS. I THEN CONTACTED MY GM DEALER, EDENTON MOTORS, EDENTON NC ON 12/16/2015. I SPOKE WITH PATTY IN SERVICE DEPT. I QUESTIONED HER AS TO THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE DASH FRAGME…
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NOTICED DASH CRACKED, ON PASSENGER SIDE ON CORNER OF AIR BAG INSERT. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND THIS CRACK AND OTHERS COMMON ON I BELIEVE 2007 - 2013 GM TRUCKS. I THEN CONTACTED MY GM DEALER, EDENTON MOTORS, EDENTON NC ON 12/16/2015. I SPOKE WITH PATTY IN SERVICE DEPT. I QUESTIONED HER AS TO THE POSSIBLE DANGERS OF THE DASH FRAGMENTATION, IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD GO OFF? SHE ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY 2010 CHEV SILVERADO 1500 LT. I THEN CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND SPOKE WITH ANOTHER REP. THEY ASSIGNED ME A CASE # [XXX], THEY ASKED FOR VIN, MILEAGE, DEALER NAME AND WHO I HAD SPOKE WITH AT EDENTON MOTORS (PATTY) ALSO THERE WERE NO RECALLS. I AGAIN VOICED MY CONCERN OVER POSSIBILITY OF DASH FRAGMENTING AND POSSIBLE INJURY. HE IN TURN AT MY REQUEST TRANSFERRED ME TO A SUPERVISOR "[XXX]" EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AGAIN, MY ONLINE FINDINGS OF NUMEROUS DASHES CRACKING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY SHOULD AIRBAG DEPLOY. HE ADVISED OF A COST ASSIST PROGRAM, HOWEVER I NEEDED TO GET A GM ESTIMATE OF REPAIR, WE LEFT TO VISIT FAMILY THE NEXT DAY AND RETURNED ON 12/30/2015 WHILE AWAY GM CALLED AGAIN ASKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TO CALL THIS ON 1/22/2015 . I CALL GM CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS ADVISED I HAD BEEN ASSIGNED A SR ADVISOR "[XXX]" EXT [XXX]. SHE ADVISED THAT I NEEDED THE ESTIMATE TO CONTINUE. I COVERED MY CONCERNS WITH HER ALSO. ON 1/4/2016 I TOOK TO 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TO EDENTON MOTORS TO THEM TO EXAMINE. THEY WOULD FORWARD THERE FINDINGS TO GM CUSTOMER CARE, ON 1/5/2016 I CALLED [XXX], SHE WOULD LOOK INTO IT. AT 2:30PM 1/5/2016 [XXX] FOR EDENTON MTRS CALLED AND ADVISED THAT COST OF REPAIR WAS AROUND $800.00, MY COST WOULD BE $500.00. I ADVISED HER NO THANK YOU. THIS IS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES SINCE 2007, RETIRED WITH 35 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10818181
31,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
DASHBOARD CRACKED ON DRIVER SIDE AND RUNS OVER TO AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IF AIR BAG DEPLOYS CRACKED DASH COULD DEFLATE AIR BAG MY DEALER NOR GENERAL MOTORS WOULD HELP SAID THEY WOULD FIX FOR $1100.00 DOLLARS THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT
NHTSA ODI #10818038
74,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Structure
CRACK THAT PROPAGATES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. THE CRACK STARTS IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE AIRBAG CUTOUT.
NHTSA ODI #10808680
18,250 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other
FRONT END VIOLENT SHAKING HAPPENED ON SEVERAL ROAD SURFACES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ONCE BEFORE, ON ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND FOUND TIRES HAD HARD SPOTS. REPLACEMENT CORRECTED PROBLEM. TIRES ON THIS TRUCK ARE GOOD YEAR, WRANGLER P 265 70 R 17. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN FREQUENTLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10787015
130,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Air Bags
BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GM HAS BEEN NO HELP IN THE MATTER, AND CANNOT FIND AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #10783432
45,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
THE INTERIOR DASH PANEL ON MY SILVERADO 1500, 4X4, CREW CAB HAS CRACKED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAUSING A LOUD RATTLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DASH PANEL HAS ALSO STARTED TO CRACK AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LOCATION AND I FEEL THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY, CAUSING PLASTIC DASH …
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THE INTERIOR DASH PANEL ON MY SILVERADO 1500, 4X4, CREW CAB HAS CRACKED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAUSING A LOUD RATTLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DASH PANEL HAS ALSO STARTED TO CRACK AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LOCATION AND I FEEL THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY, CAUSING PLASTIC DASH PARTS TO DISLODGE AND HIT OCCUPANTS.
NHTSA ODI #10762536
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
96,437 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Air Bags
WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE CANCER CENTERS OF AMERICA LOCATED IN ATLANTA, I NOTICED THE OIL GAUGE NEEDLE KEPT MOVING BELOW THE MIDDLE, WHEN I RETURNED HOME TOOK TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT CHANGED SENSOR AND GASKET KIT. STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. CHEVY DEALER STATED THAT, THAT'S WHAT THE NEEDLE DOES...I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED …
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WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE CANCER CENTERS OF AMERICA LOCATED IN ATLANTA, I NOTICED THE OIL GAUGE NEEDLE KEPT MOVING BELOW THE MIDDLE, WHEN I RETURNED HOME TOOK TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT CHANGED SENSOR AND GASKET KIT. STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. CHEVY DEALER STATED THAT, THAT'S WHAT THE NEEDLE DOES...I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND STILL SAME PROBLEM.....I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU TURN ON THE 4X4 BUTTON IT DOESN'T SHOW THE 4X4 EMBLEM ON THE DASH BOARD.....ALSO ADDRESSED WITH DEALER THEY SAID IT DOESN'T SHOW ON DASH BOARD...ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT JUST HAPPENED IS THAT IT'S STATING TO SERVICE AIR BAG...I OWN A CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER 2004 AND HAVE NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS NOT WITH OIL GAUGES, SEAT BELT SENSORS NOR 4X4 EMBLEMS ON THE DASH.....MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON NOV 2014 WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT THE CHEVY DEALER HERE SAYS THAT THESE ARE NORMAL....I FEEL THAT THESE ARE NOT NORMAL, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE OIL IN THE TRUCK, THE AIR BAG IS FAULTY AND CAN'T TELL IF YOUR DRIVING ON 4X4....PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE THINGS....I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION.
NHTSA ODI #10723370
28,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
ABOUT TWO YEARS INTO OWNING THIS TRUCK, (PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER), THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK. NOTHING HIT IT, NO ACCIDENT, ETC. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY CHEVROLET OWNERS. I…
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ABOUT TWO YEARS INTO OWNING THIS TRUCK, (PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER), THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK. NOTHING HIT IT, NO ACCIDENT, ETC. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY CHEVROLET OWNERS. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. HOW IS IT OKAY FOR GM TO KNOW ABOUT A DEFECT WITH MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES AND NOT HAVE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING IT??
NHTSA ODI #10717618
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.