Air Bags. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

25 reports

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149,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017

Engine

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ENGINE ISSUES AND ABNORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MOTOR HAS FAILED AT 149,000 MILES AND FOLLOWS THE PATTERN OF NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS. OIL CONSUMPTION LIFTER NOISE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10995883

117,000 miles · Apr 14, 2017

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE OIL GAUGE DISPLAYED ZERO. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE, BUT THE DIGITAL DISPLAY READ 13% OIL. THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND FILED A CASE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10978588

130,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017

Engine

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THE ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW AND CONSUMES OIL RAPIDLY, LOSES OIL AND DETERIORATES INTERNAL PARTS OF MOTOR CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR. THIS MOTOR IS CURRENTLY APART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BUT THE LAWSUIT IS ONLY FOR THIS ENGINE IN THE 2010-2013 VEHICLES. THIS MOTOR HOWEVER HAS BEEN IN GM VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND I ASSUME THAT THE COMPANY WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION FROM CONSUMERS AND PUBLIC JUST AS THEY DID IN 2010. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN FLAW OF MOTOR IN ALL VEHICLES THAT INCLUDED THE ENGINE. PERSONALLY I HAD TO REPLACE MY MOTOR FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT THE COST OF $7,712.13 WHICH INCLUDED TAXES. THEN, OF COURSE, THE MOTOR YOU PUT IN INHERENTLY HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT FAILS DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE LAWSUIT IS GOING TO BE FILED FOR 2010-2013 MODELS I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRESSURE TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODELS WITH THE EXACT SAME MOTOR.

NHTSA ODI #10948803

199,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016

Engine

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APPARENTLY THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS TRUCK. THE SPECIAL WARRANTY WAS FOR 120,000 OR YEAR 2018. IN 2015 I DISPUTED THE ENGINE FAILURE AND ALSO THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE#7 CYLINDER. MY TRUCK WAS AT 170,000 MILES AND GM REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ON AUGUST 20, 2016, MY TRUCK WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I RETURNED IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, THIS REPAIR WAS PERFORMED LESS THAN A YEAR. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND THEY REFUSED TO MAKE THE DEALERSHIP WARRANTY THE REPAIR FROM LAST YEAR. GM KNOWS THAT THIS ENGINE IS FAULTY AND REFUSE TO RECALL THIS 5.3 ENGINE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE

NHTSA ODI #10904779

145,000 miles · Aug 19, 2016

EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS AFTER HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE, THE TRUCK HAS A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO THE STABILIZING TRAK ISSUE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS …

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NHTSA ODI #10897270

70,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016

Electrical SystemEngineLatches/locks/linkages

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE, ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY TRACK DISENGAGE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SPILLED AND CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FAIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854329

135,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016

Engine

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2008 SUBURBAN 135K. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL, ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. DEALER CHECKED ENGINE TOLD NEW ENGINE NEEDED. I WAS TOLD A COMMON PROBLEM FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTED FAR TO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ENGINE DESIGN. IT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE DEATHS BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS INVESTIGATED. LIKE SO MANY OTHERS REPAIR COST IS AN UNEXPECTED BURDEN. GM RESPONSE THE VEHICLE HIGH MILEAGE AND AGE ARE A FACTOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A RANG OF MILES. GM SHOULD RECALL THE 5.3L ENGINE AND REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE FIRST ISSUE WITH VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. GM HAS INDICATED 2 QUARTS OF OIL BEING BURNED IN 3000 MILES IS NORMAL. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER. GM SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY BAIL OUT. NO PRIOR WARNING WAS GIVEN, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR LOW OIL INDICATION , NO LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #10824881

94,000 miles · Feb 16, 2015

Electrical SystemEngine

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MY 2008 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH 94,000 MILES STALLED WHILE IN TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A SHORT TIME IT DID RESTART AGAIN BUT ONLY TO STALL AGAIN AFTER THE CAR RAN FOR ANOTHER 5 MINUTES AGAIN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS FAILED. WHILE MY VIN AND YEAR IS NOT COVERED, THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THIS CONDITION (GM RECALL NO. 06083.). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE TO HAVE ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER YEARS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE FOR THE SAFETY OF FAMILIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683694

82,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014

Engine

THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. MUST ADD AT LEAST ONE QUART BETWEEN EACH 3500 MILE OIL CHANGES. NO LEAKS HAVE BEEN DETECTED AND NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631443

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2014

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURER DUE TO NUMEROUS VEHICLE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN ROUGH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN SOME OF THE CYLINDERS SHUT DOWN, THE LIFTERS WERE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE ENGINE CONSUMED LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THERE WERE NOISES COMING FROM THE OIL PAN AND TRANSMISSION AREA, 3 OF THE 4 DOOR LOCKS ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED, THE REAR LIFTGATE BROKE FOR THE 4TH TIME, THE RIGHT RETRACTABLE MIRROR WAS INOPERABLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ABOUT 505 OF THE TIME, WHICH WAS PROBABLY TIED THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR GOING BAD AS WELL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, WHERE CERTAIN LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE CLICKING NOISE, THAT SOUNDED LIKE A RELAY FIRING VERY QUICKLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10587971

Official recalls

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.

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

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

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module