Vehicle frame is rotted through and cracked after 7 years, 71xxx. I tried calling gmc directly. They said it wasn't recalled and nothing can be done. I understand its not new and will need service due to age. But having a frame rust and crack after 7 years.
2013 GMC Sierra 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
67 reports with mileage · 48 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
42 reportsMY GMC SIERRA 1500 HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS ACROSS THE UPPER DASH THAT HAVE APPEARED OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS DENIED. I RECENTLY HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL…
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MY GMC SIERRA 1500 HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS ACROSS THE UPPER DASH THAT HAVE APPEARED OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS DENIED. I RECENTLY HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL CRACKED DASHBOARD, MANY OF THE CRACKED PIECES DID NOT LINE UP, LEAVING THE DASH LOOKING FURTHER DAMAGED. PLEASE FORCE GMC TO OFFER A RECALL OF THE SUBSTANDARD DASHBOARD, OR REPLACE THE DASHBOARD DURING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG.
A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED AT THE CORNER OF MY DASHBOARD AND THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG COVER THAT OPENS WHEN DEPLOYED. I HAVE PARKED MY GMC IN THE GARAGE EVERY DAY SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. I USE A WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE AT THE MARKET ECT... I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH T…
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A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED AT THE CORNER OF MY DASHBOARD AND THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG COVER THAT OPENS WHEN DEPLOYED. I HAVE PARKED MY GMC IN THE GARAGE EVERY DAY SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. I USE A WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE AT THE MARKET ECT... I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS HAPPENING TO OWNERS OF LIKE GMC'S AND YEAR MINE IS A 2013 SIERRA 1500. IT APPEARED SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON. I FEEL IT CAN AFFECT THE AIR BAGS ABILITY TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY AFFECTING MINE OR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I WOULD THINK GM SHOULD REPAIR THIS ISSUE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, IT'S A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES, AND I BELIEVE, IT IS GOING TO EFFECT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DASHBOARD WIRING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING OR ENGINE STALLING AT SPEED BECAUSE OF PIECES OF DASH FALLING INTO THE WIRES.
HEARD A LAUD POP AND GRINDING NOISE ON MY 2013 5.3 VORTEX V8 GMC FROM THE MOTOR WHERE I HAD TO STOP IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY MOTOR WAS GOING TO LUCK UP ON ME. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON MISSOURI AND TRIVIZ. WHERE MY WIFE HAD TO PICK ME UP 1 HOUR AFTER THE THE FACT TO HAUL IT BACK HOME. GOT HOME WHERE I DID MY RESEA…
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HEARD A LAUD POP AND GRINDING NOISE ON MY 2013 5.3 VORTEX V8 GMC FROM THE MOTOR WHERE I HAD TO STOP IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY MOTOR WAS GOING TO LUCK UP ON ME. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON MISSOURI AND TRIVIZ. WHERE MY WIFE HAD TO PICK ME UP 1 HOUR AFTER THE THE FACT TO HAUL IT BACK HOME. GOT HOME WHERE I DID MY RESEARCH TO FIND PARTS AND LABOR COAST FOR MY TRUCK AND CAME ACROSS SOME ACTIVE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ON GMC FOR SAME TAPE OF ENGINE THE 5.3 VORTEX AND SAME AND 1 YEAR OLDER OR 1 YEAR NEWER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHERE CASES BEEN OPEN SINCE 2016 AND STILL OPEN NOW FOR GMC TO PERFORM THAT KINDA OF ENGINE TO BE CALLED AS A RE-CALL. I THEN GOT A HOLD OF GMC MOTORS TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME NOT BEING THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP ME IN ANY KIND OF WAY AND THEY RESPOND WAS FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALER IN LAS CRUCES, NM FOR GMC. I DID JUST THAT THEN WHERE I WAS REJECTED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT I AND MY WIFE JUST HAD DISCOVER BACK HOME. THE REASON WHY GM MOTORS WANTED ME TO TAKE THE TRUCK WAS FOR THEM TO DO A FULL DYNASTIC ON THE TRUCK TO SEE IF IT WAS THE LIFTERS THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. CAME TO BE IT WAS THE LIFTERS AND AS WELL FOR THE CAMSHAFT WHERE THEY GIVE ME ALL PAPERWORK ABOUT MY TRUCK AND HOW MUCH TO FIX IT WE ARE LOOKING AT 5,000.00 TO REPLACE THE LIFTERS AND CAMSHAFT OR 10,000.00 TO PUT A NEW MOTOR AND THE GM MOTORS DENIED TO HELP OR TO FIX OR REPLACE THE MOTOR AND CAMSHAFT OR EVEN TRY TO MEET ME HALF WAY ON EXPENSES FOR MY TRUCK TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. WE GOT BACK HOME AND TALKED TO A LAWYER THAT BEEN FIGHTING SOME CASES SINCE 2016 AND ADDED HE ADDED ME TO THE OTHERS CASES FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR GMC NOT FALLOWING WITH THERE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THERE ACTION ABOUT THE 5.3 VORTEX FROM 2012-2015 MAKES AND MODELS WITH THIS KINDA OF MOTORS
A YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 NEW HUNCOOK TIRES, 4 MONTHS AGO ONE GOT TREAD SEPARATION SO I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW HUNCOOK. NOW TWO DAYS AGO ANOTHER HUNCOOK TIRE GOT TREAT SEDATION. SO I CAN'T TRUST HUNCOOK AS IT'S TIRES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. THE TIRE SIZE IS 265/70/17
CRACKS ON UPPER HARD PLASTIC DASH PANEL JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. WORRIED THAT IF THE BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL CAUSE HARD PLASTIC SHARDS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PLACE. HAD THIS ALSO HAPPEN ON A 2009 GMC YUKON WHICH…
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CRACKS ON UPPER HARD PLASTIC DASH PANEL JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. WORRIED THAT IF THE BAG DEPLOYS IT WILL CAUSE HARD PLASTIC SHARDS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANOTHER CRACK HAS DEVELOPED JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PLACE. HAD THIS ALSO HAPPEN ON A 2009 GMC YUKON WHICH WE HAVE SINCE SOLD.
ON 3/4/2018 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A BROKEN LEAF SPRING. WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE SPRINGS, HE NOTES HOLES RUSTING IN THE TRUCKS FRAME. I DID BUY THE TRUCK USED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER ON 3/12 2016 WITH @49,000 MILES ON IT. WITH IN 6-8 MONTHS OF OWNING THE TRUCK, IT STARTED TO RUST ON THE FENDER WELLS, AND HAD SOME RUS…
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ON 3/4/2018 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR A BROKEN LEAF SPRING. WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE SPRINGS, HE NOTES HOLES RUSTING IN THE TRUCKS FRAME. I DID BUY THE TRUCK USED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER ON 3/12 2016 WITH @49,000 MILES ON IT. WITH IN 6-8 MONTHS OF OWNING THE TRUCK, IT STARTED TO RUST ON THE FENDER WELLS, AND HAD SOME RUST ON THE FRAME. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE 6 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON 10/1/2018. I CALLED GMC CUSTOMER CARE ABOUT THIS AND THEY DID OPEN A SERVICE REQUEST [XXX]. ON 4/8/2019 SERVICE MANAGER FOR THE DEALER TOLD ME THE GME WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE IT WILL COST $12,000.00 TO REPLACE FRAME BET MAY OFER ME A CERTIFICATE FOR $1000.00 TOWARDS A NEW TRUCKS. I FELL THIS IS UNEXCEPTIONABLE TO ME BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY WHEN WE ARE IN THE TRUCK. WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK BECAUSE IN HAS A GOOD SAFETY RATING BE WITH HOLES RUSTING IN THE FRAME I FELL MY SAFETY IS COMPROMISED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
DASH BOARD CRACKED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS REPORTING....JUST WANT TO LET OTHERS KNOW......GMC DEALER REPLACED MINE...NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM
I WENT UNDERNEATH MY SIERRA TODAY AND FOUND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS EXTREMELY RUSTED. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION I FOUND A 3 INCH BY 3/4 INCH HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS TRUCK JUST TURNED 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 100000 MILES . THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE TRUCK BEING ABLE TO TOW HEAVY LOADS.
Official recalls
321V053000 · 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
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.
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