NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
362 reports9,500 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE DEFROST WOULD NOT FUNCTION. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOUDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS RAINING THE DEFROST WOULD NOT FUNCTION. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE CLOUDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9500.
NHTSA ODI #10381419
4,500 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 4WD EXTENDED CAB LT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE TURNED THE DEFROSTER ON AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS BECAME CLOUDY. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED HE HAD TO CLEAN THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 4WD EXTENDED CAB LT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE TURNED THE DEFROSTER ON AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS BECAME CLOUDY. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED HE HAD TO CLEAN THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,300.
NHTSA ODI #10378197
4,500 miles · Dec 12, 2010
EquipmentVisibility
WHEN THE AIR TEMP STARTS TO DROP TO ABOUT 35 DEGREES THE TRUCK AUTOMATICALLY TURNS OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND IF THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE COIL IT IS THEN BLOWN INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND SEVERELY FOGS UP THE INSIDE WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT. HAD TO PULL OVER AND KEEP WINDOWS DOWN UNTIL THE MOISTU…
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WHEN THE AIR TEMP STARTS TO DROP TO ABOUT 35 DEGREES THE TRUCK AUTOMATICALLY TURNS OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND IF THERE IS ANY MOISTURE ON THE COIL IT IS THEN BLOWN INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND SEVERELY FOGS UP THE INSIDE WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT. HAD TO PULL OVER AND KEEP WINDOWS DOWN UNTIL THE MOISTURE EVAPORATED. (SHOWER EFFECT ON MIRROR). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370294
3,100 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER IN P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER IN PLACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS REPORTED AS INJURED. A PASSENGER FROM THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPORTED INJURED. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,300. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 02/14/11 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10369289
800 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.
NHTSA ODI #10365696
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2010
Equipment
2010 CHEVROLET 1500 SILVERADO. CONSUMER STATES A DEFECT IN REGARDS TO OVERSIZED OFF ROAD TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH MUD FLAPS TO PREVENT THE OVERSIZED TIRES FROM THROWING DEBRIS, STONES AND GLASS ETC. TOWARD THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10366051
6,300 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT A WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT A WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6300.
NHTSA ODI #10354161
375 miles · Sep 1, 2010
StructureInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO C1500. HIS FINGER BECAME LODGED IN A HOLE INSIDE THE BED OF THE TRUCK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SIDE STEPPING ON THE REAR TIRE AND PLACING HIS HAND ON THE BED RAIL AND CUT HIS FINGER. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO C1500. HIS FINGER BECAME LODGED IN A HOLE INSIDE THE BED OF THE TRUCK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SIDE STEPPING ON THE REAR TIRE AND PLACING HIS HAND ON THE BED RAIL AND CUT HIS FINGER. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 375.
NHTSA ODI #10353334
1,250 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Power Train
SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2010 GMC/CHEVROLET 1500 PICKUPS WITH 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE INVOLVES DRIVING ONE OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE TOW/HAUL MODE TURNED ON. IF GOING DOWN A HILL AT 55 TO 65 MILES PER HOUR, ACTUALLY ANY SPEED, BY LAYING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD JUST HARD ENOUGH TO TURN ON BRAKE LIGHTS THESE …
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SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2010 GMC/CHEVROLET 1500 PICKUPS WITH 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE INVOLVES DRIVING ONE OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE TOW/HAUL MODE TURNED ON. IF GOING DOWN A HILL AT 55 TO 65 MILES PER HOUR, ACTUALLY ANY SPEED, BY LAYING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD JUST HARD ENOUGH TO TURN ON BRAKE LIGHTS THESE VEHICLES WILL BEGIN DOWNSHIFTING. THE ONE I OWN WILL GO FROM 5TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. AT THIS POINT THE TACHOMETER WILL PEG TO THE MAX AND THE REAR TIRES WILL BEGIN TO SLIDE. I HAVE HAD THIS AT THE DEALER TWICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND THEY RECOMMEND I DON'T USE THE TOW/HAUL MODE. MY VEHICLE HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD ONCE WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING AND ACTUALLY WAS COMPLETELY SIDEWAYS AT 50 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348640
13,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Tires
TIRE TREAD IS FALLING APART. HUNKS AND PIECES ARE MISSING FROM TREAD ALL 4 TIRE. THESE ARE GENERAL AMERITRAC TIRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON MY 2010 CHEVY SILVERADO. DEALER WILL COMP THEM BUT OUR FLEET IS FULL OF THESE TIRES DOING THIS. TIRES LOOK ALMOST LIKE RETREADS. SIZE IS P245/70R17. 13,600 MILES ON THEM. I HAVE POINTED THIS OU…
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TIRE TREAD IS FALLING APART. HUNKS AND PIECES ARE MISSING FROM TREAD ALL 4 TIRE. THESE ARE GENERAL AMERITRAC TIRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON MY 2010 CHEVY SILVERADO. DEALER WILL COMP THEM BUT OUR FLEET IS FULL OF THESE TIRES DOING THIS. TIRES LOOK ALMOST LIKE RETREADS. SIZE IS P245/70R17. 13,600 MILES ON THEM. I HAVE POINTED THIS OUT ON MANY VEHICLES WHEREVER I SEE THIS TIRE ESPECIALLY ON A SILVERADO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348241
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.