NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
9 reportsClear category filter103,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (189 STONEBRIDGE BLVD, JACKSON, TN 38305, (888) 380-6149) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (189 STONEBRIDGE BLVD, JACKSON, TN 38305, (888) 380-6149) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT, AND REPROGRAMMED THE MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED, WHICH HAD NOT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #11194576
184,000 miles · Dec 9, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE STARTS, RUNS FOR A FEW MINUTES, STARTS RUNNING ROUGH, MISSING, AND THEN ABRUPTLY STALLS, NO SPUTTER OR ANYTHING. AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR A WHILE, SOMETIMES HOURS.
NHTSA ODI #11053634
84,240 miles · Apr 28, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,240.
NHTSA ODI #10981335
65,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY TRUCK DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED AND HOME (2 MILES). MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I AM READING A CODE U0191, WHICH REFERS TO THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A BATTERY BECAUSE I HAD A BATTERY DRAINING ISSUE AND WAS HAVING TO JUMP IT IF IT SAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY TRUCK WILL NOT …
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MY TRUCK DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED AND HOME (2 MILES). MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I AM READING A CODE U0191, WHICH REFERS TO THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A BATTERY BECAUSE I HAD A BATTERY DRAINING ISSUE AND WAS HAVING TO JUMP IT IF IT SAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY TRUCK WILL NOT START AT THIS TIME. AFTER DOING SOME CHECKING, BOTH MY FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FLOW MODULE FUSES ARE HOT EVEN WITH THE TRUCK IGNITION OFF. WHICH WOULD INDICATE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER SOME RESEARCH , I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL THAT DESCRIBES THE EXACT ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOESN'T COME UP IN THE RECALL. RECALL BULLETIN # 14515B . I GUESS WHAT I AM ASKING IS WHY WASN'T MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? APPARENTLY THIS IS AFFECTING MORE VEHICLES THAT WHAT THE RECALL INCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI #10966135
142,000 miles · Mar 8, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON VEHICLE FROM CERTIFIED GMC DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY LOW ENGINE WARNING AND LOSING ALMOST ALL ACCELERATION. TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800 FOR R…
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I HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON VEHICLE FROM CERTIFIED GMC DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY LOW ENGINE WARNING AND LOSING ALMOST ALL ACCELERATION. TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800 FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10840455
87,000 miles · Mar 6, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I HAVE THE ENGINE WITH ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INSTATE THE ENGINE GOES IN TO FAILURE MODE. LIFTER COLLAPSED TEARING THE CAM UP AS WELL. SPENT ABOUT 3000 DOLLARS HAVING ISSUE FIXED WITH NEW GM PARTS ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IT'S FROM FAULT…
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I HAVE THE ENGINE WITH ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INSTATE THE ENGINE GOES IN TO FAILURE MODE. LIFTER COLLAPSED TEARING THE CAM UP AS WELL. SPENT ABOUT 3000 DOLLARS HAVING ISSUE FIXED WITH NEW GM PARTS ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IT'S FROM FAULTY PARTS AND IT WAS THE CUSTOMERS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE SMOKES BAD AND BURNS OIL AND RAW GAS SITS ON THE PISTON WITHOUT BEING BURNED OFF PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #10840123
30,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
ON JUNE 5 2014 WE WERE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHTDOWN ACTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, THERE WAS A FULL TANK , THE IGNITION STARTED TO STICK, WE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC JUNE 12 ON JULY 9 THEY CONTACTED ME SAYING THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND STILL CHARGED 700 PLUS DOLLARS SAYING BRING IT TO A DEALER SO THEN WE TOWED …
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ON JUNE 5 2014 WE WERE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHTDOWN ACTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, THERE WAS A FULL TANK , THE IGNITION STARTED TO STICK, WE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC JUNE 12 ON JULY 9 THEY CONTACTED ME SAYING THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND STILL CHARGED 700 PLUS DOLLARS SAYING BRING IT TO A DEALER SO THEN WE TOWED IT TO PEIRCE CHEVROLET NOW WAITING DINO AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610101
64,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
HIT A POTHOLE FULL OF WATER WITH RIGHT REAR TIRE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE WATER SPLASHED UP AND ENTERED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE THROUGH A POOR SEAL CAUSING THE UNIT TO SHUT OFF FUEL TO THE TRUCK. TRUCK STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART BLOCKING TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE T…
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HIT A POTHOLE FULL OF WATER WITH RIGHT REAR TIRE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE WATER SPLASHED UP AND ENTERED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE THROUGH A POOR SEAL CAUSING THE UNIT TO SHUT OFF FUEL TO THE TRUCK. TRUCK STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART BLOCKING TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE TRUCK HAD THE FOLLOWING CODES SET: P069E, P0231, P025A, P064A. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO HAYDOCY GMC AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. THEY REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE NEW UNIT TO THE TRUCK. THEY RETURNED THE DEFECTIVE PART TO ME AT MY REQUEST AND IT WAS DRIPPING WATER OUT OF THE SEAL. THIS IS SIMILAR TO RECALL 09V154000 FOR SIMILAR 2009 GM VEHICLES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED IN LATE 2008 JUST LIKE MY TRUCK IN WHICH THE SEAL WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED ADDITIONAL VEHICLE MODELS INCLUDING THE GMC SIERRA. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION, PICTURES, OR PARTS NECESSARY TO ASSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586161
34,276 miles · Aug 18, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System
DRIVING ONLY 20 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO APPROX 25 MPH. STOPPED AGAIN AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. RE-STARTED ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL …
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DRIVING ONLY 20 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO APPROX 25 MPH. STOPPED AGAIN AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. RE-STARTED ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR KI.
NHTSA ODI #10535940
Official recalls
4Feb 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.
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
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.
Apr 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
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
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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.