← New search

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 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

170 reports with mileage · 131 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 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

83 reports
Clear category filter
60,315 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other

DASH CRACKED ACROSS TOP OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ABOVE THE AIRBAG. TOOK TRUCK IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL. WENT TO PICK UP TRUCK FROM RECALL AND FOUND A BIG HOLE ABOUT 3 INCHES IN THE TOP OF MY DASH BESIDE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WAS NOT WARNED BY SERVICE DESK OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE FORM AIR BAG REPLACEMENT NOR WAS I INFORMED BY SERVICE …

Read full complaint

DASH CRACKED ACROSS TOP OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ABOVE THE AIRBAG. TOOK TRUCK IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL. WENT TO PICK UP TRUCK FROM RECALL AND FOUND A BIG HOLE ABOUT 3 INCHES IN THE TOP OF MY DASH BESIDE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WAS NOT WARNED BY SERVICE DESK OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE FORM AIR BAG REPLACEMENT NOR WAS I INFORMED BY SERVICE DESK WHEN THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. NOTHING WAS SAID WHEN I PICKED UP MY TRUCK. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DAMAGE A WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO UV RAYS. TRUCK HAS 60,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN GARAGE. THEY DID NOT EVEN CLEAN UP THE DASH WHEN THEY WERE DONE. I CAN;T DRIVE THE TRUCK WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN IT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO PUT IN A NEW DASH JUST TO BE ABLE TO TRADE IT OFF. IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT. ANOTHER ISSUE WAS WITH THE ENGINE AND WAS TURNED INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT HAS 36,000 MILES. THE ENGINE HAS A MISS WHEN IN PARK OR SETTING AT A LIGHT. THE RPM DROPS 150- 200 RPMS CONTINUOUSLY. AFTER THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 DAYS I WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. IT WAS THE COMPUTER ADJUSTING FOR EMISSIONS. MAYBE BUT WHY DID THEY GIVE ME A GM STORE VOUCHER FOR 500 DOLLARS? TO BUY ME OFF, SHUT ME UP. WHO KNOWS. IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11404568

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUTEAU CHEVROLET (7300 S 27TH ST, LINCOLN, NE 68512, (866) 735-2310) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUTEAU CHEVROLET (7300 S 27TH ST, LINCOLN, NE 68512, (866) 735-2310) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING WAS FRACTURED AND HAD STARTED TO EXPAND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11403285

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V053000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOU BACHRODT CHEVROLET (5500 N STATE RD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954) 374-7978) WHERE IT WAS CONFI…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V053000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOU BACHRODT CHEVROLET (5500 N STATE RD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954) 374-7978) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11402679

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED VETTER-MCGILL CHEVROLET, INC. (15241 M-60, THREE RIVERS, MI 49093; (269) 858-2047) WHERE IT WAS CONFIR…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED VETTER-MCGILL CHEVROLET, INC. (15241 M-60, THREE RIVERS, MI 49093; (269) 858-2047) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11400397

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11399746

110,000 miles · Mar 1, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS FRONT END SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 2 PERSONS WAS INJURED WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS FRONT END SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 2 PERSONS WAS INJURED WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.*DT*JB*JB*JB

NHTSA ODI #11398536

36,000 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Air Bags

THE DASH CRACKED AROUND AIRBAG, COULD CAUSE PUNCTURE TO BAG WHEN DEPLOYED, CAUSING HARM. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS ONLY 36,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11355153

65,000 miles · Aug 2, 2020
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash

TRUCK WAS HIT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO DAMAGED. AIRBAGS WERE RELEASED. FRONT TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 9, 2020. INSURANCE AND REPAIR COMPANY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT WITH OTHER PARTS. I WAS IN MOTION ON A SIDE STREET AND A SPEEDING VEHICLE THAT I DID NOT …

Read full complaint

TRUCK WAS HIT ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO DAMAGED. AIRBAGS WERE RELEASED. FRONT TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THIS OCCURRED ON JULY 9, 2020. INSURANCE AND REPAIR COMPANY ARE TRYING TO FIX IT WITH OTHER PARTS. I WAS IN MOTION ON A SIDE STREET AND A SPEEDING VEHICLE THAT I DID NOT SEE HIT ME.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11342790

90,000 miles · Jul 26, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

ROLLED TRUCK, ONLY AIRBAG THAT WENT OFF WAS PASSENGER DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #11341521

60,000 miles · May 13, 2020
Air BagsStructure

THE DASH AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED AND WOULD BE A FLYING DEBRIS HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION CRACKS EXIST DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT, WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, CREATES A GLARE THAT AFFECTS VISIBILITY. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS AND GM SA…

Read full complaint

THE DASH AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED AND WOULD BE A FLYING DEBRIS HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION CRACKS EXIST DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT, WHEN THE SUN HITS IT, CREATES A GLARE THAT AFFECTS VISIBILITY. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS AND GM SAID THAT ITS NORMAL. HOW IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BECOME FLYING SHRAPNEL OR BLINDING THE DRIVER NOT A CONCERN OR NORMAL. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. THESE CRACKS APPEARED OVER A YEAR AGO BUT THEY'VE NOW GOTTEN WORSE AND THE GLARE HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324427

Official recalls

2

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

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.

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.