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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

Engine complaints

40 reports
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81,000 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GUARANTY CHEVROLET MOTORS, INC (711 17TH ST, SANTA ANA, CA 92701, (714) 426-9092) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GUARANTY CHEVROLET MOTORS, INC (711 17TH ST, SANTA ANA, CA 92701, (714) 426-9092) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #11399344

128,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT CYLINDER #1 AND #7 WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT CYLINDER #1 AND #7 WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEGACY MOTOR COMPANY (820 SW 21ST STREET, TOPEKA, KS 66604, (785) 438-2690) WHO STATED THAT THE CYLINDER #1 AND #7 FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL THE ENTIRE ENGINE FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11398658

120,000 miles · Feb 17, 2021
Engine

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON MY CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 TWICE, NOW I'M GETTING READY TO REPLACE FOR A THIRD TIME. THE ENGINE MOUNTS MUST HAVE A DEFECT WITH THE MATERIAL THAT ARE USED TO MAKE THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11396708

146,000 miles · Dec 20, 2020
Air BagsEngineStructure

ALL 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE (ROUND SEAM). CRACKS ON DASH ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STARTING FROM AIR BAG AND CRACKING OUTWARD. OIL PRESSURE RUNS LOW AND USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 - 2000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11384232

200,000 miles · Dec 8, 2020
EnginePower Train

THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM. I'M ON MY SECOND 5.3 ENGINE AND I'M BEING TOLD BY A GM CERTIFIED TECH THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR THESE ENGINES TO HAVE CAM ISSUES AFTER 100K.

NHTSA ODI #11378563

99,000 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SWITCH STABILI-TRAC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT GOOGLED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S AUTOMATIC LIFTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SWITCH STABILI-TRAC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT GOOGLED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S AUTOMATIC LIFTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #11375385

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

103,000 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Engine

IN JUNE OF 2019 MY VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO BEGNAL MOTORS IN KINGSTON NY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING FOR THE STABILTRAX SYSTEM AND LOW OIL PRESSURE. I BROUGHT IT TO BEGNAL MOTORS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS POINT. THEY BEING A DODGE DEA…

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IN JUNE OF 2019 MY VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO BEGNAL MOTORS IN KINGSTON NY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING FOR THE STABILTRAX SYSTEM AND LOW OIL PRESSURE. I BROUGHT IT TO BEGNAL MOTORS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS POINT. THEY BEING A DODGE DEALER THEN SENT THE TRUCK OVER TO ROMEO CHEVY WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS AN ENGINE MISFIRE. THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR TWO MONTHS FOR THE REPAIR WHICH THE WARRANTY COVERED. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK AND SOON AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC ABSOLUTELY AUTO IN NEW PALTZ NY. THEY SEND A CODE FOR THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE O2 SENSOR WHERE SHOWING UP. THEY REPLACED BOTH SENSORS. AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR STILL WOULDN'T CLEAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THESE SENSORS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS ON THE SILVERADO. HE THEN RECHECKED HE'S WORK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A NEW SCREEN ON THE SENSOR AND THERE WAS. THE CODE(P0521 I BELIEVE)STILL WOULDN'T CLEAR. HE THEN REFERRED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO ROMEO CHEVY BECAUSE THEY HAD DONE ALL THE WORK ON IT PREVIOUSLY. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO ROMEO AND THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND GOT NO ANSWERS. THEY THEN DID ANTHER OIL CHANGE AND AN OIL PRESSURE TEST WITH NO RESULT ON CLEARING THE OIL PRESSURE CODE. ROMEO CHEVY HAS AT THIS POINT HAD MY TRUCK FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE OIL PRESSURE ISSUES CANNOT BE FIXED. THEIR SERVICE REP TOLD ME THEY HAD ANOTHER SILVERADO RECENTLY WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN THAT VEHICLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 105000 MILES AND I AM BEING TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF OIL PRESSURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330263

135,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020
Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, BURNS 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER 1000 MILES. MULTIPLE VALVE LIFTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSE BY LOW OIL. HAD LIFTERS REPLACED LAST SUMMER. FAULTY OIL MONITOR DESIGN, DOESN'T INDICATE OIL IS LOW. THIS HAPPENS DURING NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11316122

82,000 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY TRUCK. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND AS SOON AS I GOT A FEW HOUSES DOWN THE ROAD MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THEMSELVES OVER AND OVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE ALONG WITH THE RPM GAUGE AND THE ROAD UP WOULD T…

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I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY TRUCK. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND AS SOON AS I GOT A FEW HOUSES DOWN THE ROAD MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THEMSELVES OVER AND OVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE ALONG WITH THE RPM GAUGE AND THE ROAD UP WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THEN RELEASE AND IT DID THIS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE TRUCK OFF. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS OFF IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD TAKEN THE BATTERY OUT TO BE TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS FINE AND AS FAR AS I COULD SEE THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE CABLES FROM THE BATTERY WERE CLEAN TOO. I'VE TRACED THE GROUND AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE IN BAD SHAPE EITHER. WELL AFTER I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE IT SAT FOR A FEW DAYS AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS IT RANDOMLY STARTED BACK UP. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM EVERYTHING IS GOOD AND THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE AFTERMARKET HEAD UNIT. WELL ONCE I GOT MY TRUCK BACK THE HEAD UNIT NO LONGER WORKS OR GETS POWER? WELL NOW A MONTH LATER SAME PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK IS TOTALLY DEAD BUT BATTERY AND ETC IS FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11292392

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.