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2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 16 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

29 reports
62,175 miles · Sep 22, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION AND INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE'S GAUGES FLUCTUATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION AND INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE'S GAUGES FLUCTUATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,175.

NHTSA ODI #10767434

118,655 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR APPEARED ON THE DASH DISPLAY, SO I TOPED IT OFF WITH MORE FRESH DEF AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY.3 DAYS LATER THE SAME WARNING CAME BACK ON THE DASH DISPLAY ONLY WITH A NEW WARNING WITH IT THAT SAID VEHICLE SPEED WILL BE LIMITED TO 55MPH NEXT FUEL FILL, IT DID! I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY FOUND B…

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EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR APPEARED ON THE DASH DISPLAY, SO I TOPED IT OFF WITH MORE FRESH DEF AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY.3 DAYS LATER THE SAME WARNING CAME BACK ON THE DASH DISPLAY ONLY WITH A NEW WARNING WITH IT THAT SAID VEHICLE SPEED WILL BE LIMITED TO 55MPH NEXT FUEL FILL, IT DID! I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY FOUND BAD NOX SENSORS 1&2.REPAIRS WHERE NOT DONE BECAUSE I FELT THAT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT CONTROLS THE DRIVABILITY OF A VEHICLE. ON FEB-4-2015 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM AFTER 2 YEARS TELLING ME THAT MY TRUCK MAY HAVE NOX SENSORS THAT CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND THAT GM IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE NOX SENSORS AND THE WIRE CONNECTORS FOR 10/YRS. 120.000 MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. SO I GO BACK TO THE DEALER AND SHOW THEM THE LETTER FROM GM AND SHOW THEM MY RECEIPT FROM WHEN I CAME IN 2 YEARS AGO THAT SHOWS THAT THE NOX SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE WAY BACK IN 2013 AND ARE STILL ON THE VEHICLE AND I NEED THE REPAIRS DONE PER THE LETTER FROM GM. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THAT IS NOW ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN THE MILEAGE ARE STILL ON THE VEHICLE AND I FEEL SHOULD BE REPLACED AND REPAIRED OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR $800.00 PROGRAMMER. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH THAT DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. CASE NUMBER IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED, GM LETTER NUMBER IS 13386. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681900

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 50 MPH AND THE EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 50 MPH AND THE EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID TANK WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10672451

47,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Engine

NOVEMBER 19 2014 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON, FOLLOWED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS OF THE DEF SYSTEM. THEN ON DECEMBER 11 THE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON AGAIN, BUT WITH THE MESSAGE THAT THE FLUID QUALITY IS POO…

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NOVEMBER 19 2014 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON, FOLLOWED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS OF THE DEF SYSTEM. THEN ON DECEMBER 11 THE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON AGAIN, BUT WITH THE MESSAGE THAT THE FLUID QUALITY IS POOR. ONCE AGAIN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE THEY DRAINED THE TANK AND REFILLED IT. THEN AGAIN ON DECEMBER 16 2014 THE EXHAUST FLUID DIC CAME ON AGAIN WITH FLUID QUALITY IS POOR. WILL ONCE AGAIN RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664699

85,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY HOWEVER, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT THERE WAS ONE FOURTH OF A TANK OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE FUE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY HOWEVER, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT THERE WAS ONE FOURTH OF A TANK OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL TANK, TRANSFER PUMP AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10566969

11,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE DIESEL INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE DIESEL INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10474097

500 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS,BRAKE LIGHT,ANTISKID LIGHT, AND SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM COME AND HAVE NO TRAILER BRAKES. HAPPENS MANY TIMES. NEARLY CAUSED CRASH WHILE TOWING TRAILER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466370

7,000 miles · Mar 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

STRONG EXHAUST AND OR RAW FUEL SMELLS INSIDE CAB AND AROUND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ENGINE BAY. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS REGENERATING. SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF HOOD. A CLEAR LIQUID AND A BLACK LIQUID RUNNING DOWN EXHAUST PIPE FROM TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST EXIT. NOTICEABLE LEAKAGE ON FLOOR UNDER VEHICLE. T…

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STRONG EXHAUST AND OR RAW FUEL SMELLS INSIDE CAB AND AROUND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ENGINE BAY. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS REGENERATING. SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF HOOD. A CLEAR LIQUID AND A BLACK LIQUID RUNNING DOWN EXHAUST PIPE FROM TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST EXIT. NOTICEABLE LEAKAGE ON FLOOR UNDER VEHICLE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT IS NOT BEING DIAGNOSED, REPAIRED OR TESTED CORRECTLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO GM DEALERS THREE TIMES TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451035

6,500 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS PROGRAMMED TO LIMIT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID WAS TOO LOW. HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE DIESEL WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS PROGRAMMED TO LIMIT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID WAS TOO LOW. HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE DIESEL WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT WAS CONTACTED; THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE ONLY REMEDY WAS FOR THEM TO DROP THE DIESEL TANK AND EMPTY THE FLUID FOR THE COMPUTER TO REPROGRAM ITSELF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,500.

NHTSA ODI #10380970

Official recalls

5

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.

17V664000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

Oct 19, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

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.