The transmission control module is not communicating with the ECM and the braking system the stabilitrac and traction control are not working truck goes into “limp” mode while driving
2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 2500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
33 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. 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.
Service Brakes complaints
9 reportsFaulty brakes -master cylinder failed (so i am told) causing the calipers, rotors, pads heating up to the point of a significant amout of smoke coming from tires. Brakes stick and you are unable to control truck from the shaking, almost causing truck to go off the road.
WHILE DRIVING, BREAKS "STICK" CAUSING THE TO GET SO HOT THE SMOKE AND SMELL LIKE THEY ARE BURNING. THE TRUCK PULLS AND SHAKES SO AGGRESSIVELY YOU CAN BARELY STEER IT. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. INITIALLY, MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY BECAUSE HE WASNT WITH ME, BUT YESTERDAY HE WA…
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WHILE DRIVING, BREAKS "STICK" CAUSING THE TO GET SO HOT THE SMOKE AND SMELL LIKE THEY ARE BURNING. THE TRUCK PULLS AND SHAKES SO AGGRESSIVELY YOU CAN BARELY STEER IT. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. INITIALLY, MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY BECAUSE HE WASNT WITH ME, BUT YESTERDAY HE WAS DRIVING AND THOUGHT WE HAD A COMPLETELY FLAT TIRE, AND COULD BARELY KEEP THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE SPEED WAS INCREASED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOOD CHEVROLET (325 SW 12TH ST, RENTON, WA 98057, (888) 379-1487) WHERE THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS WERE NOT RESPONDED DUE TO A FAILURE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *BF
APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS ON FRONT AXLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP AND SMOKE. WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CALIPER REPLACED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY TEMPORARILY. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING EXCESSI…
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APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS ON FRONT AXLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP AND SMOKE. WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CALIPER REPLACED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY TEMPORARILY. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP AND SMOKE. BOTH TIMES IT NEARLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL ITSELF OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE SECOND LOCK UP HAD TO HAVE THE CALIPER AND RUBBER BRAKE LINE REPLACED. THE SECOND WAS REPAIRED AT A CHEVY DEALER.
2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE ABS. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY THE EXTERNAL ROOF LED CAB LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD ILLUMINATE, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY THE EXTERNAL ROOF LED CAB LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD ILLUMINATE, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRACK, SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
BY DESIGN THIS TRUCK WILL TURN OFF MY TRAILER BRAKES WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MISSES, CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. I LOAD THIS MACHINE UP TO ITS MAXIMUM TRAILER CARRYING CAPACITY ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS MACHI…
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BY DESIGN THIS TRUCK WILL TURN OFF MY TRAILER BRAKES WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MISSES, CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. I LOAD THIS MACHINE UP TO ITS MAXIMUM TRAILER CARRYING CAPACITY ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS MACHINE IS OPERATED IN THE MOUNTAINS OFTEN. THE 2 NEAR MISSES WERE AS DESCRIBED HERE. 1ST: I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN WITH A HIGHWAY CROSS ROAD. CROSS TRAFFIC DID NOT HAVE TO STOP. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND I HEARD A TONE ACTIVATE THEN THE DIC INDICATED ABS NEEDS SERVICE, STABLI-TRAK NEEDS SERVICE, SERVICE THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING BECAUSE AT THIS POINT MY TRAILER BRAKES WERE TURNED OFF BY THE TRUCK ON A FULLY LOADED TRAILER. I COULD NOT STOP AT THIS INTERSECTION. 2ND: I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE TOWARDS A RED STOPLIGHT. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND RECEIVED THE SAME WARNINGS AND THE TRUCK TURNED OFF THE TRAILER BRAKES ON A FULLY LOADED TRAILER AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD A SEMI TRUCK COMING FROM THE RIGHT. THEY HAD TO PERFORM AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH ME AS I TRAVELED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. THIS SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A THREE SECOND DELAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A THREE SECOND DELAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER FLAW DESIGN BY AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE. IN ADDITION, THE TRAILER LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE WHEN A TRAILER WAS CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Official recalls
321V053000 · 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.
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.
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
1EA21002 · 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.
Illustration