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2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 47 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 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

104 reports
94,141 miles · Mar 27, 2014
TiresWheels

RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. TIRE IS A MICHELIN LTX MS2 SIZE 275 70 18. THIS IS THE SAME SERIES TIRE THAT MICHELIN HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL ON BUT A DIFFERENT SIZE. CAN ONLY SUSPECT THAT THIS TIRE SIZE HAS SAME PROBLEM SINCE THERE IS NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE TIRE BEING CUT ANYWHERE AS INSPECTED BY BLACK'S TIRE SERVICE I…

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RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. TIRE IS A MICHELIN LTX MS2 SIZE 275 70 18. THIS IS THE SAME SERIES TIRE THAT MICHELIN HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL ON BUT A DIFFERENT SIZE. CAN ONLY SUSPECT THAT THIS TIRE SIZE HAS SAME PROBLEM SINCE THERE IS NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE TIRE BEING CUT ANYWHERE AS INSPECTED BY BLACK'S TIRE SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC WHICH WAS THE NEAREST MICHELIN DEALER AT THE END OF MY TRIP TO NC. ALSO HAVE PICTURE OF TIRE IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575095

20,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10551395

4,800 miles · Oct 31, 2013
Fuel System, Diesel

MESSAGE CAME ON DIC SAYING LOW DEF 727 MILES. DID NOT QUITE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT. FOUND OUT. GM SAYS IT SHOULD COME ON AT 1000 MILES. NOPE. CAME ON 2 X 727 AND 72. THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE DEF LEVEL. SOMEONE REALIZED THIS AS THE NEWER TRUCKS HAVE GAUGES OR OTHER WAYS TO CHECK. I FEEL THIS COULD BECOME AN ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE…

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MESSAGE CAME ON DIC SAYING LOW DEF 727 MILES. DID NOT QUITE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT. FOUND OUT. GM SAYS IT SHOULD COME ON AT 1000 MILES. NOPE. CAME ON 2 X 727 AND 72. THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK THE DEF LEVEL. SOMEONE REALIZED THIS AS THE NEWER TRUCKS HAVE GAUGES OR OTHER WAYS TO CHECK. I FEEL THIS COULD BECOME AN ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND NO CLOSE PLACES TO PURCHASE DEF. I TALKED TO GM. THEY DON'T SEEM TO CONCERNED ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. A SIMPLE FIX WOULD BE TO MAKE IT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK. PULL OUT THE DIP STICK/CHECK THE FLUID/ADD FLUID IF NECESSARY THROUGH THE SAME TUBE THAT THE DIPSTICK CAME OUT OF. MY TRUCK HAS A TUBE UNDER THE HOOD WHERE YOU ADD DEF. AGAIN THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU NEED. YOU JUST KEEP ADDING TILL IT SPITS OUT OF THE TUBE. I FEEL GM SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH AN UPDATE OF SOME SORT SO A MOTORIST VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTS SLOWING DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550378

43,000 miles · Oct 24, 2013
Electrical System

UPON THE START UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL BEGIN TO SHUT GAUGES DOWN, TURN ON ALL WARNING LIGHT, TACH AND SPEEDOMETER GO TO 0. THEN THE TACH/SPEEDO WILL COME BACK WITH ALL GAUGES OFF AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON. THEN THE GAUGES COME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. THIS CAN CONTINUE UP TO 15-20 MINUTES WHILE UNDER WAY…

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UPON THE START UP, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL BEGIN TO SHUT GAUGES DOWN, TURN ON ALL WARNING LIGHT, TACH AND SPEEDOMETER GO TO 0. THEN THE TACH/SPEEDO WILL COME BACK WITH ALL GAUGES OFF AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON. THEN THE GAUGES COME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. THIS CAN CONTINUE UP TO 15-20 MINUTES WHILE UNDER WAY. IT ACTUALLY APPEARS THE TRUCK HAS IS NOT RUNNING WHILE YOU ARE ACTUALLY TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AND MOVING OVER 60 MPH. IT IS TEMPERATURE RELATED WHEN IT IS COLD OUT (40 DEGREES), THE SEQUENCE HAPPENS EVERY 20-30 SECONDS WITH THE CLUSTER NOT TOTALLY WORKING FOR MORE THAN 15 SECONDS. THIS CONTINUES FOR OVER 5-10 MINUTES! THIS ISSUE IS SPOT ON TO AN ISSUE/RECALL OF '03-08 GM TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549333

36,000 miles · Sep 15, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TRAVELING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, ACCELERATED AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK GOING UP TO 80 MILES PER HOUR IN A 60 MPH ZONE. I STOMPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID A CRASH. PULLED OVER AND FINALLY KEPT STOMPING THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL IT RELEASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543673

2,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,700. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504869

1,812 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Tires

THIS IS AN RV TRAILER TIRE. SIDEWALL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD. SIDEWALL IS TORN ALONG WHAT APPEARS TO BE POLYESTER CORD ALONG ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE TREAD. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR MARATHON ST235/80R 16 LOAD RANGE E. BLOWOUT OCCURRED AT 45 MPH ON BLACKTOP. TIRE PRESSURE CAREFULLY MAINTAIN…

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THIS IS AN RV TRAILER TIRE. SIDEWALL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD. SIDEWALL IS TORN ALONG WHAT APPEARS TO BE POLYESTER CORD ALONG ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE TREAD. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR MARATHON ST235/80R 16 LOAD RANGE E. BLOWOUT OCCURRED AT 45 MPH ON BLACKTOP. TIRE PRESSURE CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AT SPEC 80PSI. ABSOLUTELY NO OVERLOAD ISSUES. TIRE SMOKED PROFUSELY BUT NO FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471649

19,025 miles · Jul 2, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE TRUCK HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE LIGHT SOON CAME BACK ON DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WHICH SENT THE CAR INTO SAFE MODE, WHICH MADE THE CAR DO A NOSE DIVE FROM 55 TO 15 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE IN ATLANTA. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10463992

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. CONSUMER STATES SEVERE ELECTRICAL FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH, WINDSHIELD AND ALL WIRING COMPONENTS TO THE CAB. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO TAKE PICTURES FOR HIS INSURANCE COMPANY, HE NOTICED THE TRUCK STARTED TO SPARK UNDER THE DASH. HE CLOSED THE DOOR AND WALKED AWAY. AS HE WAS WALKI…

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2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. CONSUMER STATES SEVERE ELECTRICAL FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH, WINDSHIELD AND ALL WIRING COMPONENTS TO THE CAB. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO TAKE PICTURES FOR HIS INSURANCE COMPANY, HE NOTICED THE TRUCK STARTED TO SPARK UNDER THE DASH. HE CLOSED THE DOOR AND WALKED AWAY. AS HE WAS WALKING AWAY, HE TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF THE WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN ANY PAPERWORK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10455157

10,500 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED MUCH MORE WHEN DRIVING UPHILL VERSUS DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVIS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED MUCH MORE WHEN DRIVING UPHILL VERSUS DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE A MINIMUM OF TEN TIMES BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,500.

NHTSA ODI #10436015

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.

18V267000 · Equipment

Apr 26, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

14V407000 · Electrical System

Jul 2, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.

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

1

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.