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2013 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 38 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2024
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Bought 2013 suburban brand new and in 2018, on a trip to the mountains for fall break, the car quit with no warning signs, in the middle of the night. The car would not accelerate when gas pedal was pressed and RPM gauge needle “fluctuated erratically” until car came to a complete stop in the middle of the highway! It was a scar…

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Bought 2013 suburban brand new and in 2018, on a trip to the mountains for fall break, the car quit with no warning signs, in the middle of the night. The car would not accelerate when gas pedal was pressed and RPM gauge needle “fluctuated erratically” until car came to a complete stop in the middle of the highway! It was a scary and dangerous situation because it was late at night and we were in the mountains with no phone signal. Cars were coming and going both ways on Highway. Eventually people stopped to help us get suburban towed to local Chevrolet dealership and we had to rent a vehicle to get us to where we were initially going to start our fall break. The dealership called a day later to tell us that there were “lose metal pieces” in the transmission, which meant the transmission had to be replaced. We spent $5000 on that new transmission! It was the only way for us to come back home. The car was out of warranty therefore, the manufacturer did not offer any help! This was a very expensive, frustrating, and dangerous fall break in 2018. Please help! We deserve reimbursement because 7 years later, we bought another 2020 Suburban, also brand new and the same thing happened to transmission, last week! We spent $6000 to replace that transmission!

NHTSA ODI #11623850

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I had to do two engine jobs in one year because oil pressure sensor switch keeps going off due to poor electrical in the vehicle I also had to buy oil pressure pump

NHTSA ODI #11522380

92,721 miles · Jan 17, 2021
EnginePower TrainStructure

FEB. 15 , 2019 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN CAR. BROUGHT CAR EARLIER IN THE YEAR BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. WENT OUT OF TOWN AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 93,721 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY WENT OUT ON FEB. 14, 2019. ONLY HOURS BEFORE AND NO COMPANY WOULD HELP! WE PAID 5,000 FOR A REPLACEMENT AND NOTICED THAT MY…

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FEB. 15 , 2019 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN CAR. BROUGHT CAR EARLIER IN THE YEAR BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. WENT OUT OF TOWN AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 93,721 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY WENT OUT ON FEB. 14, 2019. ONLY HOURS BEFORE AND NO COMPANY WOULD HELP! WE PAID 5,000 FOR A REPLACEMENT AND NOTICED THAT MY DASH HAD A CRACK IN IT AFTER BEING REPAIRED. CHEVROLET COMPANY SAID THEY DIDN'T DO IT. NOW THE DASH IS ALMOST CRACKED ALL THE WAY TO MY STEERING WHEEL. I UNDERSTAND THE WEAR AND TEAR OF ANY VEHICLE, BUT FOR THE WARRANTY TO GO OUT HOURS BEFORE HAND WAS UNBELIEVABLE. PLUS, THE REPAIR MAN THAT INSTALLED MY TRANSMISSION SAID MY MOTOR DRINKS OIL. YES, WE KNOW THAT. HE EXPLAINED TO US WHY AND SAID THAT CHEVY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED MY MOTOR WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN DURING OUR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. WE NO LONGER USE CHEVYLAND BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WILL SAY THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO BUILD BETTER DOOR RESTS. EVERY TIME I PUSH OPEN MY DOOR OR CLOSE IT, THE HANDLE AREA IS BROKE IN HALF. ITS A THIN PIECE OF PLASTIC AND ITS NOT WORTH PAYING AN ARM AND LEG TO FIX IT. NEEDS TO BE A PIECE OF METAL.

NHTSA ODI #11388573

190,000 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITRAK AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN CYL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITRAK AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN CYLINDER #5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED, AND AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARTIN CHEVROLET (23505 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90505; (310) 853-5846) AND THE MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #11375448

123,788 miles · Oct 4, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TAPPING OR CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR LOST POWER, BUCKING WITH HARD SHIFTS, AND STABILITRACK, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL COME ON. I TOOK TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND MISFIRE ON CYL 4. CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS/WIRES AND CLEANED THOTTLE BODY AND TUNE UP AS WELL AS OIL CHANGE. CAR CONTINUED H…

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TAPPING OR CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR LOST POWER, BUCKING WITH HARD SHIFTS, AND STABILITRACK, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL COME ON. I TOOK TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND MISFIRE ON CYL 4. CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS/WIRES AND CLEANED THOTTLE BODY AND TUNE UP AS WELL AS OIL CHANGE. CAR CONTINUED HARD DOWNSHIFTING AFTER PICKING UP. DROVE FOR A WEEK AND SYMPTOMS REAPPEARED AGAIN. SHOP IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE IF IT'S A BAD LIFTER(S) OR POSSIBLY FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM. SHOP OWNER ADMITTED THAT HE'S HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH GM'S 5.3 ENGINES AND THE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WRECKING ENGINES. I HAVE MY 3 KIDS IN THE CAR AND IT WAS SCARY ALMOST GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11362690

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP AND WHILE DRIVING, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START UP AND WHILE DRIVING, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY COMPANY DECLINED TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11341337

140,710 miles · Jun 7, 2020
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN DECELERATING GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY 6/6/2020 THE VEHICLE ENGINE REVVED UP ON IT'S OWN. THE MESSAGE CENTER IS SAYING THAT THE AIRBAGS NEED TO BE SERVICED, THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNS ON AND OFF AND GOES FROM HIGH TO LOW ON IT'S OWN , AND THE POWER WINDOWS IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATING WILL ROLL DOWN BUT CAN ONLY BE ROLLE…

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WHEN DECELERATING GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY 6/6/2020 THE VEHICLE ENGINE REVVED UP ON IT'S OWN. THE MESSAGE CENTER IS SAYING THAT THE AIRBAGS NEED TO BE SERVICED, THE AIR CONDITIONING TURNS ON AND OFF AND GOES FROM HIGH TO LOW ON IT'S OWN , AND THE POWER WINDOWS IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATING WILL ROLL DOWN BUT CAN ONLY BE ROLLED UP AT TIMES BY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS. THE BRAKE GRADING SYSTEM TURNS ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND THE TIRE SENSOR READING DISPLAYS ARE OFF. THE TIRE SENSOR READINGS ARE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER (IE. THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE IS LOW, BUT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE IS ACTUALLY LOW. LASTLY, DESPITE REGULAR TIMELY RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES ONE OF MY LIFTERS IN MY ENGINE BROKE OFF ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY LAST YEAR. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. I PULLED OVER AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTOSHOP. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS JUST A MONTH OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. SO WE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN ONE HAZARD AFTER ANOTHER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11327645

119,300 miles · May 19, 2020
Engine

I HAD DRIVEN MY VEHICLE TO WORK. MID-MORNING I STARTED MY VEHICLE WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK TO RUN AN ERRAND. I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND DROVE MAYBE 100 FEET WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN CONSIDERABLY SHAKING. I WENT STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC. HE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE LIFTERS H…

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I HAD DRIVEN MY VEHICLE TO WORK. MID-MORNING I STARTED MY VEHICLE WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY WORK TO RUN AN ERRAND. I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND DROVE MAYBE 100 FEET WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN CONSIDERABLY SHAKING. I WENT STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC. HE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE LIFTERS HAD FAILED. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC HAS A FRIEND WHO WORKS FOR A GM DEALERSHIP AS A MECHANIC. THE FRIEND HAD PREVIOUSLY ADVISED MY MECHANIC THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. IF A LIFTER FAILS WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, ONLY THE ONE FAILED LIFTER IS REPLACED ALTHOUGH IT IS KNOWN THEY WILL ALL FAIL AT SOME POINT. GM HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM TO THE PUBLIC AND THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I ENDED UP REPLACING ALL LIFTERS SINCE MY MECHANIC HAD ALREADY REMOVED THE ENGINE AND WE KNEW AT SOME POINT ALL LIFTERS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. (NOTE: I WAS ONLY ABLE TO UPLOAD PAGE 1 OF THE INVOICE BELOW). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325154

110,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

BRAKES LIGHT ANTI-LOCK/SKID E-BRAKE KEEPS ACTIVATING, BUT DOES NOT SHOW UP AS A CODE OR PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT CODE P015B AND P015D AT THE SHOP SOMETIMES THIS CODE DOES NOT APPEAR OR AT DIFFERENT SHOP CODE IS ACTIVE. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STATIONARY AND STAYS ON. P CODE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION. I HAVE A SYNCUP DRIVE ON MY VEHIC…

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BRAKES LIGHT ANTI-LOCK/SKID E-BRAKE KEEPS ACTIVATING, BUT DOES NOT SHOW UP AS A CODE OR PROBLEM. INTERMITTENT CODE P015B AND P015D AT THE SHOP SOMETIMES THIS CODE DOES NOT APPEAR OR AT DIFFERENT SHOP CODE IS ACTIVE. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STATIONARY AND STAYS ON. P CODE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION. I HAVE A SYNCUP DRIVE ON MY VEHICLE SO I GET THE P CODES, BRAKE CODE NEVER COMES UP SAME WHEN AT THE SHOP

NHTSA ODI #11254390

135,000 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Engine

THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING VERY LOUDLY. WE BROUGHT IT TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND WERE TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HE ALSO SAID MANY 2013 SUBURBAN ENGINES HAD BEEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR METAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

NHTSA ODI #11172599

Official recalls

4

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, 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 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, 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."

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 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

14V614000 · Electrical System

Oct 1, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

13V001000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Jan 2, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.