NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
46 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 19, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL - IN ADDITION TO THE WIDESPREAD AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE, I AM AMONG THE MANY, MANY OTHER 2010 GMC SIERRA TRUCK OWNERS WHO HAVE A CRACKED DASH. THE CRACK BEGINS ON THEFRONT, LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT, AND EXTENDS TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH (TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD). WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS,…
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TAKATA RECALL - IN ADDITION TO THE WIDESPREAD AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE, I AM AMONG THE MANY, MANY OTHER 2010 GMC SIERRA TRUCK OWNERS WHO HAVE A CRACKED DASH. THE CRACK BEGINS ON THEFRONT, LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT, AND EXTENDS TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH (TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD). WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FATAL DEFECT, ONE WOULD THINK THAT AN NHTSA SPONSORED INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED BY NOW! I MEAN, IT'S ONLY BEEN 6 YEARS!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10917234
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2016
Unknown Or Other
DASH BOARD CRACKING FOR NO REASON. OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER SEARCHING GOOGLE I SEE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM...... ANY HELP ON GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED
NHTSA ODI #10910473
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
AFTER MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A SIERRA DENALI MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE PURGE VALVE AND THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL SYNDICATOR SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED ABOUT 5 TIMES. WHEN I PUT VEHICLE IN MY TRUCK IT WON'T START ON ITS OWN THE STARTER JUST KEEPS TURNING OVER TO FIND OUT BY THAT THE SENSOR UNDER THE GAS TA…
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AFTER MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A SIERRA DENALI MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE PURGE VALVE AND THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL SYNDICATOR SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED ABOUT 5 TIMES. WHEN I PUT VEHICLE IN MY TRUCK IT WON'T START ON ITS OWN THE STARTER JUST KEEPS TURNING OVER TO FIND OUT BY THAT THE SENSOR UNDER THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED NOW. I HEARD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IS WHY THEY CHANGED THE SYSTEM ON IT, BUT MY TRUCK WAS NEVER CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS LIKE MY COMPLAINTS WERE SENSELESS AND AFTER A YEAR MY WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10910269
60,000 miles · Aug 20, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL. DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING ON BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES AND USED TO HAVE A SOLUTION IN PLACE WHERE THE CUSTOMER WOULD PAY $100 AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY THE REST TO HAVE IT REPLACES BUT HAD SINCE DONE AWAY WITH THAT DEAL. I IMAGINE CAUSE IT …
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TAKATA RECALL. DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING ON BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES AND USED TO HAVE A SOLUTION IN PLACE WHERE THE CUSTOMER WOULD PAY $100 AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY THE REST TO HAVE IT REPLACES BUT HAD SINCE DONE AWAY WITH THAT DEAL. I IMAGINE CAUSE IT WAS COSTING THEM MORE THAN THEY HAD THOUGHT. ASKED IF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT AND AFTER SPEAKING TO A REPRESENTATIVE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO DID NOT COVER THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10897353
39,000 miles · Jul 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND PARTICULARLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THERE IS NO REAL WAY TO REPAIR THIS. WHEN WE SPEAK TO GM DEALERSHIPS, THEY TELL YOU THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM AND ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DASH BUT THEY WILL CHARGE EXORBITANT AMOUNTS TO DO SO. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT SAFE. ONE …
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DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND PARTICULARLY AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THERE IS NO REAL WAY TO REPAIR THIS. WHEN WE SPEAK TO GM DEALERSHIPS, THEY TELL YOU THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM AND ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DASH BUT THEY WILL CHARGE EXORBITANT AMOUNTS TO DO SO. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT SAFE. ONE OF THE REAR DOOR HANDLES HAS ALREADY BROKEN. IF YOU PULL ON THEM JUST THE SLIGHTEST BIT TOO HARD, THEY CRACK ON THE INSIDE, CAUSING THE HANDLE TO FALL OFF AND BE INOPERATIVE. ONCE AGAIN, GM IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY PARTS BUT WILL NOT RECALL ON THIS MATTER. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE SAFETY CONCERNS AND ARE WIDESPREAD. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE BECAUSE ONCE MY DASH STARTED CRACKING, I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS VERY WIDE SPREAD. THERE ARE EVEN AFTERMARKET COMPANIES THAT HAVE STARTED TO MAKE PLASTIC DASH COVERS TO FIT DIRECTLY OVER OUR DASHBOARDS JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO WIDESPREAD. GM MUST RECALL THESE TWO DEFECTS. KINDLY INVESTIGATE?
NHTSA ODI #10885331
35,400 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
NOTICED A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE DASH, AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAM, SHORTLY AFTER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED. STILL HAD ROUGHLY A YEAR LEFT ON THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR ANYTHING THEY COULD DO, BUT ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN MANY TRUCKS WITH THIS S…
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NOTICED A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE DASH, AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAM, SHORTLY AFTER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED. STILL HAD ROUGHLY A YEAR LEFT ON THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR ANYTHING THEY COULD DO, BUT ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN MANY TRUCKS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. 3 YEARS OLD AND THE DASH HAS ALREADY CRACKING??? CONCERNED THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE, IF THE AIRBAG EVER HAS TO DEPLOY. WOULD HAVE REPORTED IT SOONER, IF I KNEW ABOUT THIS SIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10872403
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2016
Unknown Or Other
CRACKED DASH ON OUR 2010 GMC SIERRA. THERE IS A SMALLER CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND A VERY LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IT KEEPS GETTING BIGGER. THE BIG CRACK ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES A LOT WHILE DRIVING AND VERY IRRITATING. THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE REGARDS SAFETY. IF WE WERE IN A WRECK AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD …
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CRACKED DASH ON OUR 2010 GMC SIERRA. THERE IS A SMALLER CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND A VERY LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IT KEEPS GETTING BIGGER. THE BIG CRACK ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES A LOT WHILE DRIVING AND VERY IRRITATING. THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE REGARDS SAFETY. IF WE WERE IN A WRECK AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY WITH THE DASH CRACKED THAT BAD, WE FEAR THAT IT WOULD SHATTER IN MANY PIECES. WE HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE TRUCK, IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND A SUN SHIELD USED WHEN PARKED IN THE SUN. IT HAS 58,000 MILES AND IS A 2010. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE IT, BUT AFTER MANY CALLS TO GM DIRECTLY, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10870537
48,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other
A CRACK HAS RECENTLY APPEARED IN THE DASH FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA ODI #10854001
84,662 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I CONTACTED GMC ON 10/26/2015 TO INFORM THEM THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE UPPER LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME BRIAN HARRIS GMC, THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM, REPLACED THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I ALSO TOLD ANDRE AT GMC I HA…
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I CONTACTED GMC ON 10/26/2015 TO INFORM THEM THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE UPPER LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME BRIAN HARRIS GMC, THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM, REPLACED THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I ALSO TOLD ANDRE AT GMC I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES AND NOW THE 2 BACK DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN AGAIN. ANDRE TOLD ME TO HAVE THE DEALER ASSES THE PROBLEM. DAVID, THE SERVICE REP. AT BRIAN HARRIS SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLES UNDER MY EXTENDED FACTORY WARRANTY, AND WAIVE THE DEDUCTIBLE, BUT GMC WILL NOT COVER THE DASHBOARD. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT COVERED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS GMC"S OPTION. I DISAGREED AND EXPLAINED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY OR NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. IF IT DOES DEPLOY WILL IT THROW SHARDS OF PLASTIC AND INJURE THE PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK? HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD BUT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. SO I NOW HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD OF MY TRUCK FOR THE SECOND TIME. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
NHTSA ODI #10852486
50,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Unknown Or Other
DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. EDGES ARE SHARP AND VIBRATE AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10820780
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 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.
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.
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.