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2011 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 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

151 reports with mileage · 133 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 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

24 reports
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32,000 miles · Jul 26, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 GMC ON A HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO FAIL. MY REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND WAS CAUSED TO TURN SIDEWAYS ON A HIGHWAY. MY TRUCK WAS HIT BY FOUR OTHER VECHICLES. WELL THE TRUCK GOT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES! WITH ALL THE SAME FAILURES. GM NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THERE …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 GMC ON A HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO FAIL. MY REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND WAS CAUSED TO TURN SIDEWAYS ON A HIGHWAY. MY TRUCK WAS HIT BY FOUR OTHER VECHICLES. WELL THE TRUCK GOT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES! WITH ALL THE SAME FAILURES. GM NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THERE TRANSMITTIONS BEFORE IT COULD KILL SOMEONE. 3 TIMES ITS BEEN REPLACED AND ALL 3 TIMES MY REAR WHEELS HAVE LOCKED UP. WHY? YOU GUYS NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE...

NHTSA ODI #10743510

27,000 miles · Mar 8, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION VIBRATION IN THE 1500 TO 2000 RPM RANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567897

38,958 miles · Mar 8, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

STARTED TRUCK UP AND LET IDLE FOR TWO MINUTES. UPON TAKE OFF, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A MESSAGE STATING ENGINE REDUCED POWER. THE TRUCK THEN BEGINS TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED IT VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD. I PULLED…

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STARTED TRUCK UP AND LET IDLE FOR TWO MINUTES. UPON TAKE OFF, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A MESSAGE STATING ENGINE REDUCED POWER. THE TRUCK THEN BEGINS TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED IT VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND WAITED A MINUTE OR TWO. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE AND TRACTION LIGHT WHERE GONE. AFTER SITTING AT A LIGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THE SYMPTOMS WHERE BACK, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO REAREND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OVER AGAIN, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE, RESTARTED AND THE SAME RESULTS AS BEFORE OCCURED. NOW THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE TRUCK IS RUNNING AND SITS IN THE SAME SPOT FOR MORE THAN TWO OR THREE MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567896

39,500 miles · Feb 11, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

MY STARTER OR FLY WHEEL IS CAUSING MY TRUCK TO NOT WANT TO START, ALSO THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 1500 RPM, AND SOMETHING IS KNOCKING IN THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. ITS A 2011 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN WELL CARE OF, NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. LUCKILY STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563813

90,000 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON AND IN PARK WHEN IT LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP IT FROM TRAVELING ANY FARTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON AND IN PARK WHEN IT LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP IT FROM TRAVELING ANY FARTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10553017

19,634 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Power Train

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES FROM REAR OF TRUCK , AND KEPT LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM, FINALLY GRABBED THE BED AND SHOOK IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRE IS FIXING TO FALL OFF, TOOK IT TO HALL GMC IN TYLER TX. ON 9-03-2013 THEY GREASED THE LEAF SPRINGS ? AND SAID THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM,BUT WHEN ITS PARKED ON A HI…

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I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES FROM REAR OF TRUCK , AND KEPT LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM, FINALLY GRABBED THE BED AND SHOOK IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRE IS FIXING TO FALL OFF, TOOK IT TO HALL GMC IN TYLER TX. ON 9-03-2013 THEY GREASED THE LEAF SPRINGS ? AND SAID THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM,BUT WHEN ITS PARKED ON A HILL THERE IS TO MUCH WEIGHT ON AXLE FOR IT TO MOVE AND THEY KNEW THAT , SO WHEN I GOT HOME IN THE GARAGE IT STILL HAS AN INCH OR SO TRAVEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE, TOOK IT BACK ON AFTER 5 OR 6 PHONE CALLS WAS TOLD TO COME AND GET THE TRUCK ON 9-23-2013 , THAT THEY ALL DO THAT ,IF ANYONE HAS A 2011 CHEVY OR GMC REAR DRIVE VEHICLE SHAKE IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE GIVE IT A REALLY GOOD SHAKE AND NEXT TIME YOU GO AROUND A CORNER FIXING TO PASS SOMEONE IT WILL SCARE YOU KNOWING THAT THE AXLE IS THAT LOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546180

400 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 43 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXPECTED WITH T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 43 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXPECTED WITH THE TYPE OF POWER TRAIN IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,728.

NHTSA ODI #10522074

55,000 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Power TrainSteering

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN TRUCK STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED WORKING. TOWED TO GMC DEALER. BROKEN THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND BROKEN STEERING POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496347

4,500 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE UTILIZING THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODE, HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, UNTIL HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE UTILIZING THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODE, HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, UNTIL HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. UPDATED 11/23/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10478634

11,300 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Power Train

THERE IS PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES THAT EMIT A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I AM SLOWLY BACKING OVER A GRADE WITH THE STEERING WHEELS TURNED. I DEMONSTRATED PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES TO THE GMC FACTORY REP AND HE SAID THE AXLE PLAY IS WITHIN TOLERANCES. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE NOISE IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT THE GROOVES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL EN…

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THERE IS PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES THAT EMIT A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I AM SLOWLY BACKING OVER A GRADE WITH THE STEERING WHEELS TURNED. I DEMONSTRATED PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES TO THE GMC FACTORY REP AND HE SAID THE AXLE PLAY IS WITHIN TOLERANCES. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE NOISE IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT THE GROOVES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL END OR THE AXLES THAT ACCEPT THE HORSESHOE SHAPED KEEPER CLIPS ARE MACHINED INCORRECTLY AND PUTTING EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE CLIPS. EVENTUALLY THE CLIPS WILL FAIL RESULTING IN THE WHEEL COMING OFF. I FURTHER ARGUE THAT IF THE AXLE PLAY IS INDEED WITHIN TOLERANCES THEN THE TOLERANCES ARE WRONG. I TRIED TO MAKE THE INCORRECT TOLERANCE ARGUMENT TO THE FACTORY REP BY MAKING AN ANALOGY TO THE CORVAIR AND HE MISSED MY POINT. THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE CORVAIR WAS ALSO WITHIN TOLERANCES AND MANY PEOPLE DIED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463146

Official recalls

5

21V050000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

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.

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.

10V643000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Dec 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD 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

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.