← New search

2010 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Yukon 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

64 reports with mileage · 41 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

105 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2021
SteeringUnknown Or Other

YO HIBA MANEJANDO COMO A 25 MILLAS EN LA CIUDAD Y CUANDO Y CUANDO FUI HACER UN U TURN EL STEERING WHEEL DEJO DE TRABAJAR. SE PUSO DURO Y SOLO SE MUEVE SI LO MANEJO PERO NO PUEDO PARQUIARME PORQUE ESTA MUY DURO EL STEERING WHEEL . LO LLEVE A UN ELECTRONICO Y ME DIJERON QUE LA COMPUTADORA NO LE DA EL CODE. Y EL MECHANICO SOLO…

Read full complaint

YO HIBA MANEJANDO COMO A 25 MILLAS EN LA CIUDAD Y CUANDO Y CUANDO FUI HACER UN U TURN EL STEERING WHEEL DEJO DE TRABAJAR. SE PUSO DURO Y SOLO SE MUEVE SI LO MANEJO PERO NO PUEDO PARQUIARME PORQUE ESTA MUY DURO EL STEERING WHEEL . LO LLEVE A UN ELECTRONICO Y ME DIJERON QUE LA COMPUTADORA NO LE DA EL CODE. Y EL MECHANICO SOLO ME DICE QUE ES MEJOR CAMBIAR EL ROCK PINION ELECTRIC PERO NO ENCUENTRO LA PIESA EN NINGUN LADO...

NHTSA ODI #11406989

208,565 miles · Mar 27, 2021
Air BagsBack Over PreventionSeat Belts

FRIDAY NIGHT. ON MARCH 26 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY HIGHWAY, AFTER CROSSING A RAILROAD TRACK- MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT OCCUPIED WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES. MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER IN A LOCAL GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. THAT WAS SCARY

NHTSA ODI #11405123

85,000 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Structure

SINCE 2016 THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE DASH CRACKING, RECENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. THE DASH IS LITERALLY ABOUT TO FALL IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY DURING TIMES IT WAS SITTING ALTHOUGH DRIVING HAS DEFINITELY MADE IT MUCH WORSE. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIRBAG DOES HAPPEN TO GO OFF IT'S GOING TO THROW SHARP PIECES OF …

Read full complaint

SINCE 2016 THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE DASH CRACKING, RECENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. THE DASH IS LITERALLY ABOUT TO FALL IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY DURING TIMES IT WAS SITTING ALTHOUGH DRIVING HAS DEFINITELY MADE IT MUCH WORSE. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIRBAG DOES HAPPEN TO GO OFF IT'S GOING TO THROW SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC FLYING THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE FOUND IS IF I SET ANY PAPERS ON THE DASH THEY FALL INTO THE DASH. I CAN NOW SEE THE WIRING INSIDE THE DASH BECAUSE OF THE MISSING PIECES. ON TOP OF THIS YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TOUCHING THE DASH AS I HAVE BEEN CUT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FROM THE SHARP EDGES CREATED BY THIS ISSUE. THE CENTER OF THE DASH APPEARS TO BE ON BORROWED TIME IT HAS SUNKEN NEARLY A HALF AN INCH WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR THE VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO FIX IT WITHOUT ME FOOTING THE BILL. THIS JUST SEEMS OUTRAGEOUS ON A CAR PRICED NORTH OF 60K

NHTSA ODI #11404364

40,000 miles · Mar 19, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND IS NOW IN MANY PIECES. I KNOW IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE SO I'VE GLUED AND TAPED IT TOGETHER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. THE DASH RATTLES AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT ANY TRIP I TAKE. I LOVE MY CAR! I WANT IT TO BE 'HEALED'. IT'S VERY DISTRACTING TO DRIVE WITH YOUR DASH MAKING ALL THAT NOISE. IF I'M EVER IN …

Read full complaint

MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND IS NOW IN MANY PIECES. I KNOW IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE SO I'VE GLUED AND TAPED IT TOGETHER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. THE DASH RATTLES AND SHAKES THROUGHOUT ANY TRIP I TAKE. I LOVE MY CAR! I WANT IT TO BE 'HEALED'. IT'S VERY DISTRACTING TO DRIVE WITH YOUR DASH MAKING ALL THAT NOISE. IF I'M EVER IN AN ACCIDENT, EVEN EVER SO SMALL, I'M SURE PARTS OF THAT DASH WILL GO FLYING AND HURT THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER. I ALSO DON'T KNOW HOW SAFELY CONTAINED MY DASH-AIRBAG IS. MY SPEAKER AND GPS ARE ALSO ON THAT DASH AND ARE NO LONGER INSTALLED WHERE THEY SHOULD BE CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS IN THEIR NEW LOCATIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN SOMETHING ELSE NOT FUNCTIONING LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES WITH REGULAR TUNEUPS AND REPLACEMENTS WHERE NEEDED. THIS IS BEYOND MY CONTROL AND IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11403976

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V053000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLEY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (633 AVE OF AUTOS, FORT WAYNE, IN 46804, (260) 434-47501) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PAR…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V053000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLEY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (633 AVE OF AUTOS, FORT WAYNE, IN 46804, (260) 434-47501) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11398066

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2020
Structure

THE DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS AND COULD COME APART IN AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11354973

70,000 miles · Jul 1, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

DASHBORD CRACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337073

180,000 miles · May 5, 2020
Steering

WHEN I WAS DRIVING I MAKE A U TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL STOP WORKING... *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323357

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREGG YOUNG CHEVROLET OMAHA (17750 BURT ST, OMAHA, NE 68118) AND HUBER CHEVROLET (11102 W DODGE RD, OMAHA, NE 68154) TW…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREGG YOUNG CHEVROLET OMAHA (17750 BURT ST, OMAHA, NE 68118) AND HUBER CHEVROLET (11102 W DODGE RD, OMAHA, NE 68154) TWICE AND WAS INFORMED EACH TIME THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11311720

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2020
Air Bags

DIC IS STATING SERVICE AIR BAGS. LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES GMC WILL NOT HONOR RECALL YET AS OF 2016

NHTSA ODI #11307015

Official recalls

3

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.

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

1

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.