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2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 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

263 reports with mileage · 300 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 306 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

18 reports
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109,000 miles · Sep 12, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE TRACSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE TRUCK STARTING TO MISS HARD. GOT TO FRIENDS HOUSE CHANGED #1 SPARK PLUG ALL BETTER NOW AT LEAST FOR 1,000 MILES THEN WILL HAVE TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. WENT THROUGH THIS WITH THE LAST ONE WE TRADED FOR THIS ONE. T…

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TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE TRACSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE TRUCK STARTING TO MISS HARD. GOT TO FRIENDS HOUSE CHANGED #1 SPARK PLUG ALL BETTER NOW AT LEAST FOR 1,000 MILES THEN WILL HAVE TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. WENT THROUGH THIS WITH THE LAST ONE WE TRADED FOR THIS ONE. THEN IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK THAT'S WHEN WE TRADED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11354579

88,000 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

STABILITY CONTROL ALARM BLINKING ,TRACTION CONTROL ALARM BLINKING,, SPEEDOMETER GOING ERRATIC, BRAKE LITE STAYING IN ALARM,CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING OUT,POWER LOSS TEMPORARILY. SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS (AUTO XMISSION) WAS VERY ROUGH.THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT GREW STEADILY WORSE. GM DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE EBCM, AND T…

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STABILITY CONTROL ALARM BLINKING ,TRACTION CONTROL ALARM BLINKING,, SPEEDOMETER GOING ERRATIC, BRAKE LITE STAYING IN ALARM,CRUISE CONTROL DROPPING OUT,POWER LOSS TEMPORARILY. SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS (AUTO XMISSION) WAS VERY ROUGH.THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT GREW STEADILY WORSE. GM DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE EBCM, AND THE CHASSIS WIRINGHARNESS. SEVERE CORROSION. VEHICLE NEVER DRIVEN IN SALTED ROADS,NEVER FLOODED,NEVER DRIVEN THRU WATER. THE LOCATION OF THE EBCM IS POORLY DESIGNED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A MODULE THIS CORRODED,AS IT WAS IN PIECES WHEN THEY PULLED AND OPENED IT. I WAITED 4 MONTHS TO GET IT FIXED, AS A EARLY MECHANIC SAW AN ELECTRICAL FAULT, BUT COULDN'T PINPOINT IT AS IT WASN'T STAYING IN FAULT. HE SAID IT NEEDED TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT COULD BE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. HAD TO BRING TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AS IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. COST ME $1878.36 TO GET REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11287451

135,000 miles · Nov 17, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM HAVE WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF THE LAST MONTH. THE CAR GOES TO ROUGH IDLE AND TRANSMISSION KICKING BACK REALLY BAD. EVERY TIME THE MECHANIC HA CHECKED, AT LEAST THREE, HE HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I THINK THIS SOMETHING RELATED WITH SOFTWARE. LOOKING INTO INTERNET, SEEMS…

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STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM HAVE WENT OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF THE LAST MONTH. THE CAR GOES TO ROUGH IDLE AND TRANSMISSION KICKING BACK REALLY BAD. EVERY TIME THE MECHANIC HA CHECKED, AT LEAST THREE, HE HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I THINK THIS SOMETHING RELATED WITH SOFTWARE. LOOKING INTO INTERNET, SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11280688

89,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING, THE STABILTRAK,ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE POWERS DOWN AND BARELY MOVES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MOSTLY DURING COLD WEATHER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TO…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE STABILTRAK,ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE POWERS DOWN AND BARELY MOVES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MOSTLY DURING COLD WEATHER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WHEN CHECKED OVER THEY REPORTED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER SITTING THERE ALL NIGHT. THIS IS DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER SILVERADO OWNERS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES, THE LATEST AROUND JANUARY OF 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11233841

174,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

UPON DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE SERVICE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES. THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL POWER WHEN STEPPING ON GAS AND TRUCK WOULD JERK. WHEN IDLING ENGINE IS LOUD AND SHAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11171916

80,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

STABILTRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM AROSE, FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. OBVIOUS STEERING ASSIST FAILURE DURING A DROP IN VOLTAGE, AND THEN RETURN, WHICH CREATES UNMANAGEABLE AND DANGEROUS VEHICLE, RANDOM SURGES OCCURRING. CONTA…

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STABILTRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. SHORTLY THEREAFTER AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM AROSE, FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. OBVIOUS STEERING ASSIST FAILURE DURING A DROP IN VOLTAGE, AND THEN RETURN, WHICH CREATES UNMANAGEABLE AND DANGEROUS VEHICLE, RANDOM SURGES OCCURRING. CONTACTED GM FOR POSSIBLE RECALL? NON-EXISTENT. WE ARE FACED WITH A HUGE AUTO REPAIR BILL.

NHTSA ODI #11171532

166,000 miles · Nov 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

DASH GAUGES AND LIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON WHILE IN PARK, DRIVING, AND STATIONARY. THIS TYPICALLY CAN BE FIXED BY TURNING THE TRUCK ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS OCCURS ABOUT 1-2 TIMES PER DAY

NHTSA ODI #11154379

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

BADLY RUSTED ENGINE AND UNDER BODY FRAMES ,TRANSMISSION COOLER AND COOLER LINES RUSTED AWAY. 4 WHEEL DRIVE LINKAGE. FRONT DISC ROTORS HAD 3/16 THICK FLAKED RUST, COOLANT HOSES CLAMPS RUSTED AWAY CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK GRIPL RUSTED OFF. MY COMPLAINT TO GM CASE # IS 8-3141634993 TRUCK HSS LESS THAN 20000 MI…

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BADLY RUSTED ENGINE AND UNDER BODY FRAMES ,TRANSMISSION COOLER AND COOLER LINES RUSTED AWAY. 4 WHEEL DRIVE LINKAGE. FRONT DISC ROTORS HAD 3/16 THICK FLAKED RUST, COOLANT HOSES CLAMPS RUSTED AWAY CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK GRIPL RUSTED OFF. MY COMPLAINT TO GM CASE # IS 8-3141634993 TRUCK HSS LESS THAN 20000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11132744

88,000 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

AIRBAGS AND NOTHING UP FRONT WORKS

NHTSA ODI #11084344

120,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAKATA RECALL AND ANOTHER ISSUE OF POWER LOSS----- I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCH TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TAKATA AIR BAGS REPLACES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE THEM. POWER LOSS: I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A DRASTIC AND IMMEDIATE POWER REDUCTION. I HAVE NEARLY BEE REAR-ENDED SEVER…

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TAKATA RECALL AND ANOTHER ISSUE OF POWER LOSS----- I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCH TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TAKATA AIR BAGS REPLACES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE THEM. POWER LOSS: I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO A DRASTIC AND IMMEDIATE POWER REDUCTION. I HAVE NEARLY BEE REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE JERKS SUDDENLY THROWING EVERYTHING FORWARD AS THOUGH IT IS NEARLY A SUDDEN STOP. IT WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT WILL NOT RESET UNTIL I PULL OVER, REMOVE, AND REASSEMBLE, THE BATTERY CABLES. THIS HAPPENS DURING, AND FOLLOWING, EVERY RAINY DAY. IT ALSO HAPPENS FOR NO SPECIFIED REASON. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS--NO RAIN AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11079577

Official recalls

4

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.

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.

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 6, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V643000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Dec 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.