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2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

274 reports with mileage · 172 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 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 12, 2024
Electrical System

Stability trac, ABS, traction control, passenger air bag, locks are locking and unlocking, voltage to high, car will lose power while driving then shut off after alternator replaced, truck is worse also back trailer brake sensor appears to, no engine lights on went to two mechanics and unable to find the problem, very dangerous …

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Stability trac, ABS, traction control, passenger air bag, locks are locking and unlocking, voltage to high, car will lose power while driving then shut off after alternator replaced, truck is worse also back trailer brake sensor appears to, no engine lights on went to two mechanics and unable to find the problem, very dangerous my car will randomly turn off while driving and cars in back slamming on their brakes to avoid hitting me

NHTSA ODI #11588289

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2023
Electrical System

I was sold a vehicle by a small car dealer who claims to have a dealers license. He advertised the car as having 125,000 miles and that is what the odometer says. After receiving the title and looking it up on car fax I found that the vehicle actually has 255,000 miles on it. Dealer states it was a cash deal and not his problem

NHTSA ODI #11515605

86,410 miles · Dec 22, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS ON AND OFF UPON START UP AND WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT KNOW HOW FAST ONE IS GOING, IT THEY HAVE GAS, ETC. THIS IS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WHICH AFFECT MANY GM OWNERS AS WELL AS THE GM BRAND.

NHTSA ODI #11384589

114,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. GO TO HIGH BEAMS AND MOTOR IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO REV UP/DOWN, AND RUN ERRATIC. SWITCH BEAMS TO NORMAL POSITION=IT STOPS. WHEN DEPRESSING KEY FOB TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS, IT ONLY WORKS FREQUENTLY. BIZARRE ELECTRICAL ISSUE....

NHTSA ODI #11217541

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemFire

'TAKATA RECALL'

NHTSA ODI #11172043

135,551 miles · Nov 4, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

IGNITION LOCK ACTUATOR BIND MAKING TURNING THE KEY DIFFICULT AND CAUSING THE IGNITION TO GET STUCK IN THE START POSITION EVEN WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11145225

78,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

STABILITRAK AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS GO CRAZY, RADIO GOES IN AND OUT AND YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE OUT. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT TAKEN IN, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR SO I PAID $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. 6 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING SO THE SAME SE…

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STABILITRAK AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS GO CRAZY, RADIO GOES IN AND OUT AND YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE OUT. THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT TAKEN IN, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR SO I PAID $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. 6 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING SO THE SAME SENSOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ONE MONTH LATER MY TAHOE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S A SHORT. I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEY ARE JUST TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO SEE IF IT WORKS, SO NOW I AM OUT OF POCKET OVER $1000 FOR THEM TO KEEP GUESSING WHAT GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11113357

190,000 miles · Jul 2, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AFTER 30 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE POWER ISSUES CAUSING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. EXAMPLE, WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70MPH THE ISSUES WOULD HAPPEN WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES OR TURNING ON A BLINKER, THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOOKS CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES, IT WOULD CREATE A STARTLING POP IMMEDIATELY THR…

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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AFTER 30 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE POWER ISSUES CAUSING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. EXAMPLE, WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70MPH THE ISSUES WOULD HAPPEN WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES OR TURNING ON A BLINKER, THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOOKS CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES, IT WOULD CREATE A STARTLING POP IMMEDIATELY THROUGH THE SPEAKERS, THE RADIO CUT OFF AND RESTARTED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE THEN STARTED TO STUTTER LOOSING POWER. STABILITRACK AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER SAFELY PULLED OVER, CUT VEHICLE OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE, NO ISSUES OR POWER PROBLEMS. PROBLEM WOULD THEN RANDOMLY HAPPEN. RANDOM NO POWER ISSUES - LIKE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. TESTED BATTER - IT WAS OK. PROBLEM BECAME SPORADIC AND RANDOM. DTC SHOWED RANDOM ISSUES WITH ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (C0710 -STEERING POSITION SENSOR), PARK ASSIST MODULE (U0073, B1325 - DEVICE POWER 1 CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) AND PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (B1000- ECU MALFUNCTION) IDENTIFIED GROUNDS TO BE VERY BAD CONDITION AT BATTERY NEGATIVE TO ENGINE AND FRAME, AND DRIVER SIDE UNDER BODY GROUND AT THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11105156

70,000 miles · Apr 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD EXTENSIVE CRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE GLOVE BOX ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS HAD NOT…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD EXTENSIVE CRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE GLOVE BOX ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS HAD NOT YET BEEN SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE DEALER SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE AIR BAG RECALL MAY BE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10979363

23 miles · Mar 27, 2017
Electrical System

CAR IS SHUTTING OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT TO RADICALLY THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF DOOR LOCKS WON'T ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE HAS HAPPENED TWICE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS. HAND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECK BATTERY ALTERNATOR BY GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ALL CHECKED OUT FINE. I AM C…

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CAR IS SHUTTING OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT TO RADICALLY THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF DOOR LOCKS WON'T ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE HAS HAPPENED TWICE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS. HAND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECK BATTERY ALTERNATOR BY GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ALL CHECKED OUT FINE. I AM CONCERNED THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS OF VEHICLES AND I DO UNDERSTAND SOME CHEVROLET SUVS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE RECALLS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10968667

Official recalls

5

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.

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.

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

11V339000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 28, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 6, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.