NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
25 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 1, 2017
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WIRES WERE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POTENTIAL FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WIRES WERE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POTENTIAL FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V240000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10981672
108,000 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10929986
67,200 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE REDUCED ENG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED SUCCESSFULLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING TO THE ECM CONNECTOR 2 AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,200.
NHTSA ODI #10839961
80,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiperFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING INTO THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING INTO THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10735302
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
WIRE HARNESS UNDERNEATH VEHICLE RUBBING ON DRIVE SHAFT CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. BATTERY DRAIN, COMPRESSOR FOR AIR RIDE BURNING OUT, STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMING ON AND VARIOUS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10730202
61,634 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Electrical System
FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET GM/CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR MY FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND SINCE THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL OTHER THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LIST ALTHOUGH IT DID RECEIVE THE SAME MANUFACTURED PART AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS, I TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJU…
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FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET GM/CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR MY FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND SINCE THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL OTHER THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LIST ALTHOUGH IT DID RECEIVE THE SAME MANUFACTURED PART AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS, I TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-#07187A I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED SINCE A: GM SPOKESWOMAN [XXX] - SAID FRIDAY THAT THE AGREEMENT "CLEARS THE SLATE" BETWEEN DELPHI AND GM "AND RESOLVES A CERTAIN GROUP OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTY ISSUES." SHE SAID THE AGREEMENT COVERS AS MANY AS 50 WARRANTY ISSUES; THE SETTLEMENT REFERS TO AT LEAST 43 WARRANTIES. THE MAJOR ISSUE RESOLVED INVOLVES 1.1 MILLION ELECTRONIC PARTS THAT ARE PART OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS, ACCORDING TO A HEAVILY EDITED VERSION OF THE AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS THE ELECTRONIC BRAIN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASH. WITH THE AGREEMENT AND AN IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP WITH DELPHI, GM HOPES TO SAVE $2 BILLION ANNUALLY IN PARTS COSTS. AS DELPHI EXITS SEVERAL BUSINESSES, GM WILL REPRESENT A DIMINISHING SHARE OF ITS REVENUE -- DOWN TO A QUARTER OR LESS THAN $5 BILLION BY 2010. DELPHI ATTORNEY JACK BUTLER SAID THE AGREEMENT SAVES DELPHI "HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL LIABILITY." DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED UNDER THE DEAL, GM WILL RECEIVE $47.5 MILLION TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC PARTS AND DELPHI WILL PROVIDE 1.1 MILLION NEW PARTS AT NO CHARGE THROUGH 2014. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ODI #10662591
80,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipmentFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR AND CONNECTOR CABLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR OF ELEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR AND CONNECTOR CABLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR OF ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10641629
87,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITS A DEAD BATTERY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES OR NONE AT ALL. AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, WE GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND CABLES TESTED. ALL TESTED GOOD. WE ALSO NOTICE THAT A…
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THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITS A DEAD BATTERY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES OR NONE AT ALL. AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, WE GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND CABLES TESTED. ALL TESTED GOOD. WE ALSO NOTICE THAT AROUND THE SAME TIME THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING, THAT ENGINE NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE VEHICLE SPEAKERS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE STEREO IS ON. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT INTERMITTENT INTERVALS. WE HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN SHOP IN ORDER TO TROUBLESHOOT. PARASITIC DRAW TEST IS NEGATIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT CONSTANT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587090
155,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Electrical System
BATTERY DRAINS REGULARLY REQUIRING JUMP START. VEHICLE WILL BE FINE FOR A PERIOD TIME (DAYS/WEEKS) AND THEN BE DEAD AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555274
73,510 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineEquipment
OUR VEHICLE STARTED TO USE BETWEEN ONE QUART AND 2 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. AT SOMETIME BEFORE THIS THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. THE DVD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AROUND 75,000 MILES. AT 79,0911 MILES THE SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. WE ARE NOT NEW TO OWNING SUBURBANS. THIS IS OUR FI…
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OUR VEHICLE STARTED TO USE BETWEEN ONE QUART AND 2 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. AT SOMETIME BEFORE THIS THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. THE DVD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AROUND 75,000 MILES. AT 79,0911 MILES THE SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. WE ARE NOT NEW TO OWNING SUBURBANS. THIS IS OUR FIFTH ONE. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH THEM, BUT THIS ONE HAS WAY TO MANY THINGS THAT ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU REGARDING RESOLVING THESE ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543804
Official recalls
4Feb 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.
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, 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." 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 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 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 N212328780.
Jun 4, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Aug 28, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
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.
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