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2010 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

100 reports with mileage · 68 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 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

168 reports
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

36,500 miles · May 18, 2016
Air Bags

THE DASH ON MY TRUCK BEGAN CRACKING AT AROUND 36,000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AS MY TRUCK WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MANY ADDITIONAL CRACKS AND HAVE HEARD THAT THE CRACKED DASH ENDS UP BREAKING APART AND BECOMING SHRAPNEL IN THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN AI…

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THE DASH ON MY TRUCK BEGAN CRACKING AT AROUND 36,000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AS MY TRUCK WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MANY ADDITIONAL CRACKS AND HAVE HEARD THAT THE CRACKED DASH ENDS UP BREAKING APART AND BECOMING SHRAPNEL IN THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES AND I THINK GM SHOULD OFFER RECALL AND INITIATE A FREE OR REDUCED COST REPLACEMENT OF THESE DASH PANELS TO PREVENT INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10865688

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Air Bags

CRACK ON DASH BOARD NXT TO AIRBAG CONTACTED GMC BUT THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THE MATTER IM CONCERN IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS SHRAPNEL WILL FLY INTO MY YOUNG CHILD FACE I NEED THIS TAKEN CARE VERY IMPORTANT MATTER THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #10863203

97,000 miles · May 3, 2016
Structure

MULTIPLE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. THE FIRST TWO (2) CRACKS APPEARED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO (TRUCK ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME) LOCATED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH - ABOVE WHERE GLOVE BOX ENDS. JUST FOUND ANOTHER CRACK THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN CLEANING DASH. (TRUCK IS NOW 6 YRS OLD - JUST FINISHED PAYING IT OFF!!) THIS ONE IS LO…

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MULTIPLE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. THE FIRST TWO (2) CRACKS APPEARED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO (TRUCK ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME) LOCATED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH - ABOVE WHERE GLOVE BOX ENDS. JUST FOUND ANOTHER CRACK THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN CLEANING DASH. (TRUCK IS NOW 6 YRS OLD - JUST FINISHED PAYING IT OFF!!) THIS ONE IS LOCATED ON LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER SIDE, ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DASH IS NOW COMPROMISED. IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED, MY CONCERNS ARE THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT COME OUT, COME OUT IMPROPERLY DUE TO THE CRACKS, OR THAT THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL DASH PARTS BECOMING A PROJECTILE THAT COULD CAUSE MORE HARM. IN READING THIS SITE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES A MAJOR PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN KEPT IN PARTIAL SHADE AND HAS ALWAYS HAD A SUNSCREEN IN PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE.

NHTSA ODI #10862800

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

69,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Engine

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - TOOK TO DEALER - WAS TOLD IT WAS PO455 CODE EVAP FAILURE - EVAP VENT VALVE STUCK OPEN. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT NOT COVERED BY GMC - COST $501.17

NHTSA ODI #10824957

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

73,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE DASH ON MY 2010 GMC SIERRA SLT CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE IS RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD. TWO IS FROM THE EDGE OF THE DASH UP TO THE GAGE CLUSTER HUMP. THESE CRACKS HAPPENED ON A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I ALWAYS HAVE A SUN VISOR UP WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE. I REPORTED…

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THE DASH ON MY 2010 GMC SIERRA SLT CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE IS RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD. TWO IS FROM THE EDGE OF THE DASH UP TO THE GAGE CLUSTER HUMP. THESE CRACKS HAPPENED ON A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I ALWAYS HAVE A SUN VISOR UP WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GM AND HAD A DEALER TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THE SERVICE GUY SAID THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACED HIS DASH FOR FREE. THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WASN'T A SAFETY CONCERN AND GM WOULD COVER $300 OF THE REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WERE GOING TO COST AROUND $1000. THIS IS A VERY COMMON DESIGN FLAW THAT GM DOES NOT WANT TAKE CARE OF. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE SAFELY CONCERN IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND THE DASH SHOOTS SHARP PLASTIC FROM A FAULTY DASH ALL OVER ME OR MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10818265

23,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #10818224

Official recalls

4

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.

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

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.

18V267000 · Equipment

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

2

DP22005 · 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.