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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2019
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. CLASSIC CHEVROLET (1101 W. STATE HIGHWAY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX) STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFA…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. CLASSIC CHEVROLET (1101 W. STATE HIGHWAY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX) STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11169835

125,000 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11163024

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2018
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RIVERSIDE CHEVROLET (4270 U S 231, WETUMPKA, AL 36092, (334…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RIVERSIDE CHEVROLET (4270 U S 231, WETUMPKA, AL 36092, (334) 472-0325) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A DOCUMENT STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11163020

54,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Engine

I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A FAINT SQUEALING NOISE AND THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I BEGAN CROSSING ALL 4 LANES AND BY THE TIME I MADE IT TO THE THE SLOW LANE THE TRUCK COMPLETELY DIED. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OFF OF THE FREEWAY DUE TO MY QUICK REACTION AND LACK OF TRAFF…

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I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A FAINT SQUEALING NOISE AND THE TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I BEGAN CROSSING ALL 4 LANES AND BY THE TIME I MADE IT TO THE THE SLOW LANE THE TRUCK COMPLETELY DIED. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OFF OF THE FREEWAY DUE TO MY QUICK REACTION AND LACK OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, BUT THE SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SO WITH HEAVIER TRAFFIC OR A LESS AWARE DRIVER. LATER DIAGNOSIS AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CP4 FUEL PUMP DISINTEGRATED INSIDE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DIESEL TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER I LEARNED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR COMES WITH A $10,000 PRICE TAG. I WAS ALSO VERY SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND GM CONTINUED TO USE THEM UNTIL 2017...7 YEARS! MY TRUCK IS A 2011 WITH ONLY 54K MILES, AND THEY JUST FIXED A 2017 WITH ONLY 7K MILES! I HAVE SINCE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH FINDING HUNDREDS OF LOW MILEAGE GM DURAMAX DIESEL BETWEEN 2011-2017 WITH THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BOTTOM OF THE FAILURE ITSELF AND I FOUND THE FOLLOWING...THE BOSCH CP4 FUEL PUMPS THAT WERE USED IN THESE TRUCKS (ALSO FOUND IN LATE FORD AND VW DIESELS) ARE MADE IN EUROPE TO DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS. THE PUMPS RELY ON LUBRICANT FOUND IN DIESEL #1 TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY AND LAST A LONG TIME. HERE IN THE U.S. WE ONLY HAVE DIESEL #2 WHICH LACKS THAT LUBRICANT AND CAUSES THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE PUMP TO DISINTEGRATE SENDING METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS IS WHY THE REPAIR AVERAGES $10,000 ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM BECOMES CONTAMINATED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIEING WITH SECONDS NOTICE ON THE FREEWAY IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY EYES. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A COMMON FAILURE THAT CAN BE PREVENTED.

NHTSA ODI #11150932

150,000 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL: MY FAMILY AND I SUFFERED A SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WE HIT GOING 70MPH INTO A FLIPPED 18 WHEELER ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11142533

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA AIR BAGS REMEDY STILL UNAVAILABLE. THE CHECK AIR BAGS LIGHT ON DASH KEEPS COMING ON. I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED

NHTSA ODI #11129696

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2018
Air Bags

I PUT MY VIN IN YOUR DATABASE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR TAKATA AIRBAGS. PER YOUR WEB SITE, GM REQUEST A PETITION OF INCONSEQUENTUALITY FOR MY MODEL VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH TAKATA HAS IDENTIFIED THEIR AIRBAGS AS BEING INSTALLED ON MY TRUCK. THERE WAS TO HAVE BEEN A RULING, AGAIN PER YOUR WEBSITE, IN AUGUST OF 2017. THERE…

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I PUT MY VIN IN YOUR DATABASE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR TAKATA AIRBAGS. PER YOUR WEB SITE, GM REQUEST A PETITION OF INCONSEQUENTUALITY FOR MY MODEL VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH TAKATA HAS IDENTIFIED THEIR AIRBAGS AS BEING INSTALLED ON MY TRUCK. THERE WAS TO HAVE BEEN A RULING, AGAIN PER YOUR WEBSITE, IN AUGUST OF 2017. THERE IS REFERENCE TO A DOCKET NUMBER WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE. SO, I'M ASKING WHAT IS THE LATEST NHTSA RULING REGARDING GM'S PETITION OF INCONSEQUENTIALITY? I MAY BE DRIVING AROUND IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE WHICH SEEMS TO NOT MATTER TO GM OR TO NHTSA. PLEASE CALM MY FEARS AND GIVE ME THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION, EVEN IF IT MAY BE SOMETHING I DON'T WISH TO HEAR. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11123816

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL: I WANT THIS AIRBAG REPLACED!! THIS AIRBAG HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE 05/2016. GM FILED FOR INCONSEQUENTIALITY AND YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND DECIDED BY 2017. IT IS NOW 08/2018, BUT TODAY, GM SAYS NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE, STILL. THIS AIRBAG IS A POTENTIAL LOADED SHOTGUN POINTED AT MY…

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TAKATA RECALL: I WANT THIS AIRBAG REPLACED!! THIS AIRBAG HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE 05/2016. GM FILED FOR INCONSEQUENTIALITY AND YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND DECIDED BY 2017. IT IS NOW 08/2018, BUT TODAY, GM SAYS NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE, STILL. THIS AIRBAG IS A POTENTIAL LOADED SHOTGUN POINTED AT MY PASSENGERS. I NEED A REMEDY FOR THIS AIRBAG ASAP! I THINK WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT ENOUGH!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11123440

50,558 miles · Aug 12, 2018
Electrical System

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) HAS FAILED SLAMMING THE MOVING TRUCK INTO 1ST GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO "LIMP MODE" IT HAS ALSO VIOLENTLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHILE IN THE PARKED POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #11119483

45,000 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Air Bags

THE DASH IS CRACKED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. IF THE AIRBAG HAS TO INFLATE I AM AFRAID IT WILL SEND PIECES OF DASH INTO THE PASSENGERS FACE.

NHTSA ODI #11112334

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.