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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.

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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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Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2017
Engine

THE ENGINE IN THE CHEVY VEHICLES FROM 2007-2015 ALL HAVE HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND REQUIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT ANYWHERE AFTER 500 MILES. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE A LITTLE OVER 5 YEARS LATER?

NHTSA ODI #10980251

114,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Engine

THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE BURNS/VAPORIZES OIL AT A RAPID PACE. I HAVE A 2011, 114K MILES, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PISTONS TO THE TUNE OF $5400 - CHEVROLET WOULD NOT HELP WITH COSTS. 6 YR OLD VEHICLE, JUST OVER 100K MILES AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE PISTONS.. I HAD KEPT UP ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE A "WARRA…

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THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE BURNS/VAPORIZES OIL AT A RAPID PACE. I HAVE A 2011, 114K MILES, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PISTONS TO THE TUNE OF $5400 - CHEVROLET WOULD NOT HELP WITH COSTS. 6 YR OLD VEHICLE, JUST OVER 100K MILES AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE PISTONS.. I HAD KEPT UP ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE A "WARRANTY FOREVER" , LIFE TIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, AND DENIED MY CLAIM BECAUSE IT WAS DUE TO 'WEAR AND TEAR'. HOW CAN MY 6 YR OLD, 114K MILE VEHICLES ESSENTIALLY NEED A NEW ENGINE? CHEVROLET SHOULD BE DISGUSTED WITH THEMSELVES. I KNOW MANY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR YEAR, SAME ENGINE AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE NOT FAITH IN THE CHEVROLET PRODUCT ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #10980075

62,765 miles · Apr 21, 2017
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE ENGINE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER AMOUNT OF TIME THAN USUAL TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EMIT A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE ENGINE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE TOOK A LONGER AMOUNT OF TIME THAN USUAL TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER 7 SPARK PLUGS WERE BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE (REFERENCE NUMBER: 8/2905223479). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,765.

NHTSA ODI #10979817

99,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE CRUISING AT 65 MPH. TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGES. VEHICLE SLOWED AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED. VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING T…

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VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE CRUISING AT 65 MPH. TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "SERVICE STABILITRAK" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" MESSAGES. VEHICLE SLOWED AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED. VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WITH ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 35 MPH IN A FLAT GRADE. ON A STEEP INCLINE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 15MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE ISSUE HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SEVERAL IGNITION CYCLES HAVE IN THE PAST HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES USING A DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10967118

83,500 miles · Feb 11, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, THESE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND AS MY TRUCK SLOWED DOWN NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHUT TRUCK OFF AND WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES THEN STARTED TRUCK UP . IT RAN FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE SAME 3 WARNING LIGHTS CAME O…

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ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, THESE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND AS MY TRUCK SLOWED DOWN NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHUT TRUCK OFF AND WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES THEN STARTED TRUCK UP . IT RAN FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE SAME 3 WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE. LIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL OR A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS ISSUE. I DID READ THAT THERE MIGHT BE A TSB CAMPAIGN # [XXX] FOR THIS ISSUE. IS THERE ANY PAPERWORK THAT CAN BE EMAILED TO ME TO GIVE TO THE GM DEALER TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND JUST WARMING UP TRUCK . THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10953991

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2016
Air BagsEnginePower Train

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWAR…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED TRUCK/ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. INTERMITTENT LOUD THUMP SOUND WHEN TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. UPDATED 7/16/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10930157

118,000 miles · Jul 8, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10883556

56,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

THE FUSE RELAY BLOCK ON MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEATED MIRRORS WOULD NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BAD GROUND ON CIRCUIT G200, THIS IS PART OF THE SWITCH CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS THE MIRRORS AND DEFROSTER. G…

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THE FUSE RELAY BLOCK ON MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEATED MIRRORS WOULD NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BAD GROUND ON CIRCUIT G200, THIS IS PART OF THE SWITCH CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS THE MIRRORS AND DEFROSTER. GM HAS DESIGNED A CIRCUIT THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO TURN ITSELF ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED! BUT EVEN WORSE GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE PARTS OR LABOR TO REPAIR MY TRUCK. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WHILE INITIALLY ENCOURAGING GM HAS REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. HOWARD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT GM COULDN'T DISCLOSE TO ME THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL HELP THEY OFFERED THE DEALERSHIP, IT TURNS OUT THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY HELP AT ALL. I'M NOT SURE I WILL BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10853811

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2011 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10825988

55,500 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Engine

THE AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER PULLEY IS IN THE PROCESS OF GOING OUT. THE PULLEY ITSELF IS SLOWLY SUFFERING FROM A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE WHICH IS CAUSED BY BEARING FAILURE. WITH THE CURRENT MILEAGE THE PART IN QUESTION SHOULDN'T BY ANY MEANS BE FAILING, THE TENSIONER WORKS FINE BUT THE PULLEY WOBBLES A BIT TOO MUCH. IF THE PU…

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THE AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER PULLEY IS IN THE PROCESS OF GOING OUT. THE PULLEY ITSELF IS SLOWLY SUFFERING FROM A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE WHICH IS CAUSED BY BEARING FAILURE. WITH THE CURRENT MILEAGE THE PART IN QUESTION SHOULDN'T BY ANY MEANS BE FAILING, THE TENSIONER WORKS FINE BUT THE PULLEY WOBBLES A BIT TOO MUCH. IF THE PULLEY CONTINUES TO WOBBLE MORE AND FINALLY RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IT CAN SHRED THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE USELESS OR EVEN BECOME A DANGER TO ANY AND ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY IF IT FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THE BELT GOES OUT IT CAN BEND OTHER PULLEYS OR SHEAR OFF PULLEYS, BOLTS, OR EVEN BEND THE HARMONIC BALANCER (ENGINE VIBRATION DAMPENER) WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A BLOWN OR SEIZED UP ENGINE. I'LL ALSO ADD THAT THE BELT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF IT GETS WEDGE BETWEEN OTHER SPINNING PULLEYS AT THE TIME OF THE PULLEY'S BEARINGS OVERHEATING AND THE PULLEY EITHER BREAKING OFF OR CAUSING THE BELT TO SHRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610050

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.