CRACKED DASHBOARD ON TAHOE. NUMEROUS PREVIOUS OWNERS HAVE FILED THE SAME COMPLAINT. GM (CHEVY) REFUSE TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tahoe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
211 reportsI HAVE A 2011 CHEVY TAHOE Z71. I WAS GETTING IN THE VEHICLE AND SEEN THAT THE DASH HAD A CRACK. I HADN'T HIT ANYTHING, HAD AN ACCIDENT, NOR SPEEDING PRIOR TO SEEING THIS. I SEE THAT ITS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH CHEVY.
I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AIRBAG INJURY.
I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THAT CRACK BECAME TWO CRACKS AND NOW THERE IS ONE FORMING BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS JUST UNDER 18,000 MILES AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COM…
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I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THAT CRACK BECAME TWO CRACKS AND NOW THERE IS ONE FORMING BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS JUST UNDER 18,000 MILES AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME CRACKS. I AM WORKING WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THIS (AND IT WILL COST ME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR PART OF THIS) BUT HIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT AND I THINK A RECALL MIGHT BE WARRANTED.
I PURCHASED THE ABOVE USED VEHICLE LAST SUMMER AND THE DASH AT THAT TIME HAD TWO CRACKS ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE DASH. THE CRACKS ARE LOCATED CLOSE TO THE FRONT AIRBAGS ONE CRACK HAS NOW RAN MORE THAN HALF WAY UP OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND THEN HAD SPOKE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FROM GM THEY PAI…
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I PURCHASED THE ABOVE USED VEHICLE LAST SUMMER AND THE DASH AT THAT TIME HAD TWO CRACKS ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE DASH. THE CRACKS ARE LOCATED CLOSE TO THE FRONT AIRBAGS ONE CRACK HAS NOW RAN MORE THAN HALF WAY UP OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND THEN HAD SPOKE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FROM GM THEY PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. WELL I JUST FEEL LIKE THE CRACKS POSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE DASH IS THAT WEAK THAT IT HAS CRACKED THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I WAS IN ACCIDENT THE DASH GOING TO EXPLODE OR MAYBE EVEN MAKE THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION. GM REFUSES TO FIX THE DASH I AM SORRY THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THIS PROBLEM HAS APPARENTLY BEEN GOING ON FOR A GOOD WHILE. WHY WOULD A COMPANY NOT WANT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND AVOID POSSIBLE LAWSUITS. IT'S KINDA LIKE A WELLNESS PROGRAM DO PREVENTATIVE CHECKUPS TO SAVE MONEY IN THE FUTURE. THESE VEHICLE COST WAY TO MUCH TO HAVE SUCH WEAK AND UNSUPPORTED DASHES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AT ALL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND THOROUGHLY EXAMINED. THIS TAHOE ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE OTHER ISSUES IT RIDES LIKE A LOG WAGON AND PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT LAST AUGUST. NOW THE FRONT CAP IS PEELING OFF AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN TOUCHED UP IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE TOOK SOMETHING AND JUST PUT BLACK SPOTS ALL OVER THE FRONT. THE TAHOE IS NOT DRIVEN ON GRAVEL ROADS AND IS NOT MISTREATED. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SUV'S AND THIS IS THE WORST ONE I HAVE OWNED AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY A SUV MADE BY GM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AT HAND.
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS SEVERAL DAYS AGO I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AS IF AN OBJECT HAS HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT FOR DAMAGE AND NOT FINDING ANY GLASS CRACKS OR CHIPS I DROVE ON. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA AND FOUND THAT THE CENTER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD AT THE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS SEVERAL DAYS AGO I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AS IF AN OBJECT HAS HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT FOR DAMAGE AND NOT FINDING ANY GLASS CRACKS OR CHIPS I DROVE ON. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA AND FOUND THAT THE CENTER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD AT THE RADIO SPEAKER WAS LOOSE DUE TO FACT THAT THE TAB WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HOLD THE CENTER FASTENER WAS BROKEN BY THE WEIGHT AND MOVEMENT OF THE SPEAKER. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AT THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GM DEALER THIS MORNING DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH REGARDS TO THE AIR BAGS EITHER BEING DEPLOYED ACCIDENTALLY OR IN THE EVENT OF A REAL ACCIDENT, DAMAGE TO THE AIR BAGS DUE TO THE BROKEN EDGES OF THE PLASTIC DASH MATERIAL. FURTHERMORE, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR AS A RESULT OF FLYING DEBRIS FROM THE LOOSE, BROKEN OR BRITTLE PLASTIC PIECES IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALER THEY ARE AND HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THESE TYPE OF FAILURE TO THE DASH COMPONENTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS (DATING BACK TO 2005) ON THIS VEHICLE BUT TO DATE THEY HAVE ISSUED NO BULLETINS OR RECALL NOTICES. THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO DOCUMENTED HERE ON YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO FIND AT LEAST 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA WITHIN JUST THE LAST 24 MONTHS MOST OF WHICH IDENTIFY THE EXACT SAME LOCATION OF FAILURE TO BE THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE DASH ADJACENT TO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT GM HAS NO DESIRE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING PUSHED TO DO SO. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY MANY, MANY GM OWNERS.
I PURCHASED A USED TAHOE IN AUGUST 2014 WITH 42K MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE DASH ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD A SMALL CRACK, APPROX 1.5 INCHES. SINCE THEN THE CRACK SPREAD TO ABOUT 2 INCHES AND I HAVE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASH AS WELL. THE DRIVER SIDE CRACK STARTED SMALL BUT EXTENDS ABOUT 4 INC…
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I PURCHASED A USED TAHOE IN AUGUST 2014 WITH 42K MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE DASH ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD A SMALL CRACK, APPROX 1.5 INCHES. SINCE THEN THE CRACK SPREAD TO ABOUT 2 INCHES AND I HAVE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASH AS WELL. THE DRIVER SIDE CRACK STARTED SMALL BUT EXTENDS ABOUT 4 INCHES. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNS A TAHOE OR SILVERADO MANUFACTURED IN 2009 - 2011 HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING REPAIRED AT DEALER COST? THE CRACKED DASH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOY. THE PLASTIC THEN BECOMES PROJECTILES.
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WIT ONLY 53000 MIKE MORE LESS AND WITHIN THE PAST MONTH THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING ONE OF THE CRACKS IS SO CLOSE ON THE EDGE TO THE AIRBAG THAT I HAVE A FEAR THE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MIGHT FAIL OR EVEN GET CUT ON DEPLOYMENT DUE TO A ACCIDENT AND SOME CAN GET VERY HURT DUE TO FAILURE ON DES…
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JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WIT ONLY 53000 MIKE MORE LESS AND WITHIN THE PAST MONTH THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING ONE OF THE CRACKS IS SO CLOSE ON THE EDGE TO THE AIRBAG THAT I HAVE A FEAR THE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MIGHT FAIL OR EVEN GET CUT ON DEPLOYMENT DUE TO A ACCIDENT AND SOME CAN GET VERY HURT DUE TO FAILURE ON DESIGN OF DASHBOARD AND DEALER WON'T EVEN COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 55000 MILES FOR THIS TO BREAK AND WITH TIME IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE
I NOTICED SEVERAL TAHOE OWNERS ARE ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT CRACKED DASHBOARD FOR THEIR VEHICLE. MY IS ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAVE SPREAD DOWN ABOUT 12 INCHES. I ALSO AGREE THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED WITH CRACKED DASH THAT CAN CAUSE PLASTIC FRAGMENTS. IN ADDITION, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE Q…
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I NOTICED SEVERAL TAHOE OWNERS ARE ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT CRACKED DASHBOARD FOR THEIR VEHICLE. MY IS ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND HAVE SPREAD DOWN ABOUT 12 INCHES. I ALSO AGREE THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED WITH CRACKED DASH THAT CAN CAUSE PLASTIC FRAGMENTS. IN ADDITION, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF 2011 CHEVY TAHOE WHEN IT IS WAS PRICED IN UPPER $50'SK WHEN NEW. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHERS IN THE PAST WITH NO ISSUES. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL USED FOR CONSTRUCTING THE 2011 TAHOE DASHBOARD IS TOO THIN. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, WHAT HAVEN'T CHEVY PUT OUT A RECALL?
I'M NOT SURE WHY I REC'D THE RECALL NOTICE ON THE 2011 CHEVY TAHOE. I TRADED THAT CAR IN BACK IN OCTOBER 2014. PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM YOUR MAILING FOR THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU *TR
Official recalls
521V050000 · 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
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Illustration