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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

Structure complaints

81 reports
Clear category filter
122 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Air BagsStructure

I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. MY DASH BEGAN TO CRACK COMPLETELY FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. I CALLED THE DEALER TODAY, GEORGE CHEVROLET IN BELLFLOWER CA, AND I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER JOSE. OF COURSE MY TAHOE IS INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA RECALL AND NO PARTS FOR IT ARE AVAILABLE YET. I DID ASK HIM ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEN I E…

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I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. MY DASH BEGAN TO CRACK COMPLETELY FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. I CALLED THE DEALER TODAY, GEORGE CHEVROLET IN BELLFLOWER CA, AND I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER JOSE. OF COURSE MY TAHOE IS INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA RECALL AND NO PARTS FOR IT ARE AVAILABLE YET. I DID ASK HIM ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEN I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WITH MY DASH. IT IS SO BADLY CRACKED NOW IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT SECURE AT ALL AS THE CRACKS HAVE MADE THE ENTIRE DASH LOOSE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE TAHOE AND HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2011. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I HOPE SOMEONE WILL REVIEW AND CONSIDER A RECALL. THE CRACKING BEGAN AT ABOUT 22K MILES. I AM UNABLE TO SELECT THE BUTTON BELOW, BUT PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP IF THERE IS A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11118206

20 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Structure

AFTER PURCHASING TAHOE FROM USED CAR DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A MONTH. A/C WAS ON DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE DASH. TOOK PICTURES TO SHOW HUSBAND. DRIVING ON TY 40 GOING 40 MPH. CRACK IS A SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ODI #11115677

122,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET GULF FREEWAY (13800 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, (281) 305-8940) WHO INFORMED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET GULF FREEWAY (13800 GULF FWY, HOUSTON, (281) 305-8940) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11115458

87,000 miles · Jun 29, 2018
Structure

CRACKED DASH - THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN CRACKING HAPPENED INSIDE ON THE DASH. IT HAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES: (2) ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND (2) AT THE AIR BAG. WHEN DRIVING, I NOTICE THERE IS NO SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF DASH, IT BOUNCES AND MAKES THE CRACKS WORSE. I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET TAHOE AND RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR…

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CRACKED DASH - THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN CRACKING HAPPENED INSIDE ON THE DASH. IT HAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES: (2) ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND (2) AT THE AIR BAG. WHEN DRIVING, I NOTICE THERE IS NO SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE OF DASH, IT BOUNCES AND MAKES THE CRACKS WORSE. I CALLED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET TAHOE AND RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL ABOUT RECALLS AND THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL FOR THE CRACKS IN THE DASH. THERE HAS CERTAINLY BEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, BUT AGAIN NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. CRACKING AT AIRBAG IS HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A RECALL DUE TO THE CRACKS AT THE AIRBAG AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11104733

124,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Structure

CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED ON 18 MAY 2018 AND DID NOT NOTICE THE CRACK UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH MANY GM MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #11097016

115,230 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Air BagsStructure

I JUST BOUGHT MY USED 2011 CHEVY TAHOE. AFTER I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD KEEPS JUMPING BAD DUE TO 2 CRACKS. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE DEARSHIP SAYS I BOUGHT IT AS-IS AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE SALE.

NHTSA ODI #11079587

61,000 miles · Feb 13, 2018
Structure

CRACK ON MY DASH EXTENDING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THIS WAS NOTED ONE MORNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A RATTLING SOUND IN MY DASH

NHTSA ODI #11072794

50,000 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE LEFT UPPER SIDE OF THE DASH WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THIS HAPPENED WITH AROUND 60K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11054754

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2017
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE SPEAKER IN THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IS THE ONLY TIME THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN TOUCHED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON MY PART TO JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TAHOE'S. I HAVE RECEIVED …

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MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE SPEAKER IN THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IS THE ONLY TIME THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN TOUCHED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON MY PART TO JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TAHOE'S. I HAVE RECEIVED NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE DAMAGE ALONG WITH NO REASONABLE FIX ($1,500!!!!). I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED RELIGIOUSLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AT NO POINT WAS I MADE AWARE THAT THIS WAS OR COULD BECOME AN ISSUE. NOW THEY TELL ME TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM!?!? DATE THIS OCCURRED IS UNKNOWN AND HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11052340

40,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
Structure

CHEVROLET ALUMINUM AND CHROME PLATED WHEELS ARE CORRODING IF ALUMINUM OR RUSTING OF CHROME PLATED. IN MY CASE THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM HOLES AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT IF THE CORROSION GETS INTO THE WHEEL TIRE BEAD AREA THEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO PUT REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM …

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CHEVROLET ALUMINUM AND CHROME PLATED WHEELS ARE CORRODING IF ALUMINUM OR RUSTING OF CHROME PLATED. IN MY CASE THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM HOLES AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT IF THE CORROSION GETS INTO THE WHEEL TIRE BEAD AREA THEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO PUT REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING AIR PRESSURE CONSTANT IN MY WHEELS BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I SUSPECT THE WHEEL CORROSION IS GETTING INSIDE THE WHEELS BECAUSE OF THE AIR PRESSURE ISSUE. THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT WHEEL CORROSION IN A GREAT MANY INTERNET FORUMS AND THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL MARKET IS THRIVING FROM ALL THE TRUCKS HAVING TO REPLACE THEIR WHEELS LONG BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE TO. I TOOK MY 2011 TAHOE LT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND CHEVROLET SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T HAVE CHROME WHEELS BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAR MORE ISSUES THAN PEOPLE WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. SINCE THIS COULD REDUCE TIRE PRESSURES TO UNSAFE LEVELS I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD RESEARCH THIS ISSUE FOR POSSIBLE RECALLS. I BELIEVE ALL MODELS OF GM TRUCKS FROM AT LEAST 2011 FORWARD HAVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11039810

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.