COATING ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEEL AND CAUSES CUTS ON HANDS. *TR
2007 Chevrolet Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Suburban years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
141 reports with mileage · 151 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 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
42 reportsJUST USING THE DOOR HANDLE TO GET INTO MY SUBURBAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LIKE ANY REASONABLE PERSON, NOT ROUGHLY OR BEARING WEIGHT, AND THE PLASTIC HANDLE BROKE AND PULLED OUT ON ONE END. SAME BREAKAGE OCCURRED WITH REAR DOOR AS WELL WHEN ONE OF MY CHILDREN WAS OPENING THE DOOR. MADE THE FOLKS AT OUR LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE …
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JUST USING THE DOOR HANDLE TO GET INTO MY SUBURBAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LIKE ANY REASONABLE PERSON, NOT ROUGHLY OR BEARING WEIGHT, AND THE PLASTIC HANDLE BROKE AND PULLED OUT ON ONE END. SAME BREAKAGE OCCURRED WITH REAR DOOR AS WELL WHEN ONE OF MY CHILDREN WAS OPENING THE DOOR. MADE THE FOLKS AT OUR LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE SHOP AWARE WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED AND THEY QUOTED A PRICE ~$245. NO OFFER TO HELP COVERING ANY PART AND THIS WAS WHILE MY FULL WARRANTY WAS STILL ACTIVE. THE FOLKS THAT WORK THERE ARE KIND AND HELPFUL. WHAT I AM TRYING TO CONVEY IS THAT I DON'T THINK THEY WERE BEING RUDE, IT WAS JUST NOT SOMETHING THEY WERE APPROVED TO COVER. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A LUXURY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE PLASTIC HANDLES THAT BROKE OFF SO EASILY AND THAT FOR THE QUALITY AND REPUTATION THE COMPANY DOESN'T WANT THEIR PRODUCT TO LOOK LIKE A LUXURY PRODUCT. PEOPLE WILL BE SEEN DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THEIR NAME ON IT AND THE DOOR HANDLES ARE HANGING OFF. IT WORRIES ME TO CONSIDER WHAT SAFETY ISSUES COULD ARISE IF SOMEONE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET INSIDE THE CAR IN AN EMERGENT SITUATION. *TR
2007 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH 5.3 AFM ENGINE. DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND TRACTION CONTROL, STABILINK AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. MISFIRING REAL BAD. AFTER GETTING IT TO SHOP THEY STATED NO COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS. WHEN TOLD SERVICE MANAGER HE STATED WHAT PROBLEM WAS RIGHT AWAY. THEN CONFIRMED IT. KNEW RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT IS COMMON …
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2007 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH 5.3 AFM ENGINE. DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND TRACTION CONTROL, STABILINK AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. MISFIRING REAL BAD. AFTER GETTING IT TO SHOP THEY STATED NO COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS. WHEN TOLD SERVICE MANAGER HE STATED WHAT PROBLEM WAS RIGHT AWAY. THEN CONFIRMED IT. KNEW RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT IS COMMON PROBLEM. STATED PROBLEM DROPPED LIFTERS WHICH DAMAGED CAMSHAFT STEMMING FROM AFM SYSTEM. WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO BE EXACT BUT WILL NEED A MOTOR EITHER WAY. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR. I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING OIL CONSUMPTION FOR A LONG TIME. I WOULD BURN A QUART OF OIL DRIVING 1000 MILES ON LONG TRIPS. EVERY WEEK I'M A 1/4-1/2 QUART LOW. CHEVY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THIS IS FAR FROM NORMAL. THIS ALSO STEMS FROM AFM SYSTEM. AN 07 CHEVY SUBURBAN THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 170,000 MILES AND CHEVY SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT OF A KNOWN ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN FIXES BY CHEVY BUT NONE SEEM TO WORK. I NEVER FORMALLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY OR DID OIL CONSUMPTION TEST( BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE IT IF THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM. I HAVE JUST FOLLOWED ISSUE ONLINE WAITING FOR A FIX. BUT , MOTOR DIED FIRST. ALSO VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED DASH WHICH HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH CHEVY HAS SINCE REINFORCED THE PLACES IT CRACKS INDICATING THERE WAS A FLAW IN DESIGN BUT CHEVY REFUSES TO FIX. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY SUBURBAN; I HAVE A CRACK IN MY HARD PLASTIC DASHBOARD THAT BEGINS WHERE THE DASH STARTS AT THE WINDOW AND EXTENDS FORWARD TOWARDS THE DRIVER SEAT HALF WAY UP THE CURVE WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE REPORTING THIS. THERE IS REALLY NO GOOD FIX OUTSIDE OF GETTING A NEW DASHBOARD FOR …
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I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY SUBURBAN; I HAVE A CRACK IN MY HARD PLASTIC DASHBOARD THAT BEGINS WHERE THE DASH STARTS AT THE WINDOW AND EXTENDS FORWARD TOWARDS THE DRIVER SEAT HALF WAY UP THE CURVE WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE REPORTING THIS. THERE IS REALLY NO GOOD FIX OUTSIDE OF GETTING A NEW DASHBOARD FOR A LOT OF MONEY. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT CRACKS, SUCH AS MY DASHBOARD THAT CANNOT BE FIXED AND MUST BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CHROME IS PEELING OF BOTH FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES CAUSING SMALL MINOR CUTS. I FOUND A DOCUMENT ONLINE REGARDING THE DOOR HANDLES HAVING A PEELING CONDITION ON THE TOP SURFACE CAUSING THE CHROME TO PEEL (HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/ACM16537095/CSC-10033533-5986.PDF) *TR
WE WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN A PERSON RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT US. WE WERE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR AND THEY HIT THE FRONT PART OF OUR SUBURBAN. EVERYTHING WAS DAMAGED THE HOOD , AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE HOOD SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THERE WAS A LIQUID THAT WAS LEAKING BUT I AM UNAWARE OF THE SUBSTANCE. THE PERS…
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WE WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN A PERSON RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT US. WE WERE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR AND THEY HIT THE FRONT PART OF OUR SUBURBAN. EVERYTHING WAS DAMAGED THE HOOD , AND EVERYTHING INSIDE THE HOOD SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THERE WAS A LIQUID THAT WAS LEAKING BUT I AM UNAWARE OF THE SUBSTANCE. THE PERSON THAT HIT US MUST HAVE BEEN GOING ABOUT 40-60 MILES AN HOUR. AFTER THEY FLED THE SEEN POLICE MENTIONED THAT THEIR AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. MY CONCERN WAS WHY OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH HIT OUR HEADS ON OUR SIDE WINDOWS. MY SON HAD SLIGHT INJURY MOSTLY FROM THE SEATBELT. MY SONS DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED FROM THE POLICE OFFICER ON THE SCREEN. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND ALSO THE ONSTAR DID NOT WORK AS WELL. *TR
THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PULL OUT OF THE CAR BODY ON MY 2007 CHEVY LTZ SUBURBAN.. THE DESIGN APPEARS TO USE PLASTIC PLUGS THAT EITHER BREAK APART OR DETERIORATE, CAUSING THE DOOR HANDLES TO BREAK LOOSE WHEN GRABBED AND PULLED TO OPEN THE DOORS. MY HANDLES HAVE ALL BROKEN LOOSE AT THE FORWARD END OF THE HANDLE, WITH THE REAR E…
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THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PULL OUT OF THE CAR BODY ON MY 2007 CHEVY LTZ SUBURBAN.. THE DESIGN APPEARS TO USE PLASTIC PLUGS THAT EITHER BREAK APART OR DETERIORATE, CAUSING THE DOOR HANDLES TO BREAK LOOSE WHEN GRABBED AND PULLED TO OPEN THE DOORS. MY HANDLES HAVE ALL BROKEN LOOSE AT THE FORWARD END OF THE HANDLE, WITH THE REAR END REMAINING ATTACHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, THE FIRST OF WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN IN 2010. I BELIEVE I INITIALLY HAD THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLES REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (BEFORE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILES). I BELIEVE THAT A SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED TO THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) DOOR, POSSIBLY IN 2011, AND THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED IT WITHOUT CHARGE AS PART OF A GM ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECTIVE ITEM RECALL. RECENTLY, IN APRIL 2013, I AGAIN NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAD BROKEN AGAIN. I JUST HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING AT THE CHEVY DEALER, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT THE MANAGER STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY (PROX $200) TO HAVE THE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND WILL HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM WITH GM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE PROBLEM ON 2007 CHEVY SUBURBANS, AS WELL AS ON SIMILAR GM VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE IS A VERY POOR DESIGN THAT GM SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED, AND HAVE REPLACEMENT HANDLES PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO CAR OWNERS. THIS IS MY THIRD SUBURBAN GOING BACK TO 1992, ALL OF WHICH HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SERIOUS DEFECTS. I TAKE CARE OF MY SUBURBAN, AND IT LOOKS ALMOST NEW HAVING ONLY 33,800 MILES. I AM SINGLE, AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY HAVE OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, WHO MAY USE THE OTHER DOOR HANDLES. THIS MEANS THAT ALL THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE NOT BEEN USED THAT OFTEN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ATTACHMENT OF THESE DOOR HANDLES TO THE CAR BODY. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BY GM., AND REPLACEMENTS OFFERED OWNERS. *TR
MY DASH BEGAN WITH A SMALL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TOP OF THE AIRBAG. WE THEN HAD A VERY LONG CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OVER THE HUMP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER MY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO ANOTHER LONG CRACK ON…
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MY DASH BEGAN WITH A SMALL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TOP OF THE AIRBAG. WE THEN HAD A VERY LONG CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OVER THE HUMP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER MY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO ANOTHER LONG CRACK ON RIGHT SIDE OF AIRBAG DEVELOPED. AIRBAG IS PARTIALLY EXPOSED AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE AUTOMOBILES. THERE'S EVEN A FACEBOOK GROUP COMPLAINING OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM! *TR
DASH ON VEHICLE HAS CRACKED AT THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR AIRBAG. CRACK SPREAD AND NOW HAVE A TRIANGULAR SHAPED HOLE IN THAT SPOT. ANOTHER CRACK, MUCH LARGER, HAS NOW APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE WAS OPENED AND FELL DOWN, ABRUPTLY STRIKING THE CONTACT IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUPPORT STRUTS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE WAS OPENED AND FELL DOWN, ABRUPTLY STRIKING THE CONTACT IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUPPORT STRUTS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,467. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
Official recalls
421V050000 · 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.
21V052000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
10V240000 · Electrical System
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.
08V441000 · Electrical System
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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