NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
292 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 5, 2015
Unknown Or OtherInjury
THE ODOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT ON MY 2007 SUBURBAN AND THE RADIO IS CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN. ALSO THE METAL TRIM ON MY DOOR HANDLES AND HEATING/AC CONTROLS IS PEELING APART AND CUTTING MY HANDS. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE BURNS OIL AND I HAVE CHECKED IT OUT BY THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS/MECHANICS AND THEY CANNOT FIND …
Read full complaint
THE ODOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT ON MY 2007 SUBURBAN AND THE RADIO IS CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN. ALSO THE METAL TRIM ON MY DOOR HANDLES AND HEATING/AC CONTROLS IS PEELING APART AND CUTTING MY HANDS. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE BURNS OIL AND I HAVE CHECKED IT OUT BY THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS/MECHANICS AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I BELIEVE CHEVY SHOULD REPAIR THESE ITEMS AT NO COST TO OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #10779696
175,000 miles · Oct 3, 2015
StructureInjury
THE CHROME ON THE DOOR HANDLES, ALL 4 OF THEM, ARE PEELING, WHERE THE CHROME WILL ACTUALLY SLICE YOUR SKIN ON YOUR FINGERS AND MAKE YOU BLEED.
NHTSA ODI #10779516
150,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Seat BeltsUnknown Or OtherInjury
I PURCHASED MY 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN BRAND NEW IN 2007. I THINK THE MILEAGE IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 150,000 BUT NOT SURE BECAUSE THE ODOMETER CLUSTER WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. ALSO, MY DOOR HANDLES ARE STARTING TO PEEL APART WHICH ARE CUTTING MY HANDS AND MY CHILDREN'S HANDS. ONE INCIDENT IT SLICED MY HAND OPEN VE…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED MY 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN BRAND NEW IN 2007. I THINK THE MILEAGE IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 150,000 BUT NOT SURE BECAUSE THE ODOMETER CLUSTER WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. ALSO, MY DOOR HANDLES ARE STARTING TO PEEL APART WHICH ARE CUTTING MY HANDS AND MY CHILDREN'S HANDS. ONE INCIDENT IT SLICED MY HAND OPEN VERY SIMILAR SEVER PAPER CUT BUT WORSE. THE HANDLES WERE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE ON MY SUBURBAN BACK IN 2009 BY GM AND AT GM'S COST. THE MAIN ISSUE ABOUT THIS EMAIL IS THE SEATBELTS AND THE DASHBOARD. THERE ARE FOUR PASSENGER SEATBELTS THAT DO NOT WORK HARDLY AT ALL. SOMETIMES THEY WILL SNAP IN/BUCKLE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF TIMES THAT THEY DO NOT. THE CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG. IT REALLY CONCERNS ME AS FAR AS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO HAVE FIVE SMALL CHILDREN THAT ARE CONSTANTLY WITH ME IN MY CAR. I JUST WANT THIS DASHED FIXED AT NO CHARGE BEING THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE SIGNED A PETITION WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE....CRACKED DASHBOARD AND MOST OF THEM IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE. . I'M JUST ASKING FOR THIS TO BE REPLACED AND CORRECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10762748
150,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Engine
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING. AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10735647
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…
Read full complaint
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
79,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD CORROSION ON THE METAL FUEL LINES, TO THE POINT THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO FAIL, DEALER REPLACED THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10731150
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
32,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Engine
I BOUGHT THIS SUBURBAN USED IN 2010 WITH ABOUT 32,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BURNED OIL. THE ADD OIL LIGHT COMES ON HALF WAY THROUGH A OIL CHANGE. IT'S MY 3RD SUBURBAN. NEITHER OF THOSE TWO HAD EVER BURNED OIL. IT WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TO COU…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THIS SUBURBAN USED IN 2010 WITH ABOUT 32,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, IT HAS BURNED OIL. THE ADD OIL LIGHT COMES ON HALF WAY THROUGH A OIL CHANGE. IT'S MY 3RD SUBURBAN. NEITHER OF THOSE TWO HAD EVER BURNED OIL. IT WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TO COURTESY CHEVROLET IN PHOENIX. THEY PUT IT ON A OIL WATCH. I HAD TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK IN EVERY THOUSAND MILES SO THEY COULD CHECK THE BURN RATE. THEY ALWAYS SAID IT WAS NORMAL PER CHEVY BURN RATES. REALLY? CHECK THE INTERNET FOR 2007 CHEVROLET ENGINE OIL, HIGH BURN RATES AND YOU WILL SEE THAT MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ENGINE THAT BURNS OIL. IT SOUNDS LIKE CHEVROLET KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, AND INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH INTEGRITY, THEY CHANGED THEIR BURN RATES SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO. I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN CHEVROLET. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET PRODUCT.
NHTSA ODI #10717644
120,000 miles · May 18, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
I STARTED MY CAR AND THE BRAKES WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED A THIRD TIME, IT MADE A POWER STEERING MACHINE NOISE AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WAN…
Read full complaint
I STARTED MY CAR AND THE BRAKES WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. I TURNED IT OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN, THEN THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED A THIRD TIME, IT MADE A POWER STEERING MACHINE NOISE AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE COULD NOT USE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO FIX IT. I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP, BECAUSE I WILL NOT DRIVE IT IF THERE IS EVEN A CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING AGAIN. IT'S TOO MUCH OF A LIABILITY.
NHTSA ODI #10717161
100,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Structure
THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD IS FULL OF CRACKS. SOME ARE ALL AROUND THE AIRBAG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704505
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.
Illustration