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2011 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

85 reports with mileage · 73 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 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 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 reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

158 reports
40,000 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Electrical System

2011 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE FIXED. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY ISSUE IS CREATED WHEN AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE RESULTS IN THE ANTI-THEFT FUSE BLOWING THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE POWER STEERING IS ALSO DISABLED MAKING THE VEHICL…

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2011 GMC YUKON. CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE FIXED. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY ISSUE IS CREATED WHEN AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE RESULTS IN THE ANTI-THEFT FUSE BLOWING THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THE POWER STEERING IS ALSO DISABLED MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE DEALER INDICATED THE CAUSE WAS LIKELY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BUT COULDN'T FIND THE EXACT CAUSE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH AND ADDING SOME TEMPORARY BYPASS CIRCUITS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10667968

185,000 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ODI #10679948

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

THE REAR DEFROST WIRES KEPT FALLING OFF OF THE WINDOW. I HAD THEM SOLDERED BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLASS, BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MATERIAL TO BE ABLE TO RE-SOLDER IT. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF REPLACING THE GLASS, ONE OF THE WIRES FELL OFF. I HAD IT FIXED. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER …

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THE REAR DEFROST WIRES KEPT FALLING OFF OF THE WINDOW. I HAD THEM SOLDERED BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLASS, BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MATERIAL TO BE ABLE TO RE-SOLDER IT. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF REPLACING THE GLASS, ONE OF THE WIRES FELL OFF. I HAD IT FIXED. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE OTHER ONE FELL OFF. IN TOTAL OVER THE NEXT YEAR I HAD BOTH WIRES RE-SOLDERED AT LEAST TWICE EACH, UNTIL JUST LAST WEEK WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE GLASS AGAIN! I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A BAD DESIGN BY GM AND THAT THEY TEND TO FALL OFF BECAUSE THEY GET TOO HOT WHEN IN USE. HOWEVER, THE WIRES EVEN FELL OFF IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER WHEN THE DEFROST WASN'T IN USE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659697

55,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Air Bags

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND AT TWO CORNERS OF AIRBAG. APPEARS TO BE A RAMPANT ISSUE ON GM VEHICLE 2007 TO 2013. NO RELIEF OR HELP FROM GM, VERY CONCERNED WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH CRACKED DASH DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653361

70,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS THAT EXPOSED THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10633206

64,000 miles · Jan 30, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND RUNNING. IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO IDLE AS IF SOMEONE WAS PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT READ "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". IT SEEMED TO DRIVE OK. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND MADE APT FOR TUESDAY. (IT WAS THURSDAY) THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT …

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THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND RUNNING. IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO IDLE AS IF SOMEONE WAS PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT READ "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". IT SEEMED TO DRIVE OK. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND MADE APT FOR TUESDAY. (IT WAS THURSDAY) THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO LOCAL GARAGE TO READ ENGINE CODE. IT WAS P2135. THE TRUCK THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING. IT WOULD NOT GO OVER 25MPH. IT TOOK ABOUT 2 FULL MIN TO GET IT AT THAT SPEED. WHEN I WOULD BREAK, THE TRUCK WOULD JUMP AS IF DID NOT WANT TO STOP. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR COVER. I WAS INFORMED THAT GMC IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS SINCE CORRECTED IT. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RECALL AS THERE IS NO ALLEGED SAFETY ISSUES. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A 1,2, AND 3 YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK IN RUSH HOUR, IT IS DARK OUTSIDE, AND YOU ARE AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOUR TRUCK WON'T ACCELERATE! I HAVE CONTACTED GMC WHO REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495252

41,697 miles · Jan 25, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE STABILI-TRAC SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED IN THE DIC, THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED IN THE DIC, THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED BY 16% IN THE DIC. DROVE VEHICLE TO EXIT RAMP AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NO WARNINGS IN THE DIC. …

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THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE STABILI-TRAC SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED IN THE DIC, THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING APPEARED IN THE DIC, THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED BY 16% IN THE DIC. DROVE VEHICLE TO EXIT RAMP AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NO WARNINGS IN THE DIC. THE ENGINE DID NOT HOWEVER RUN SMOOTHLY. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO CLEAR SOME CODES AND REPLACED THE TPS. CHECKED ALL FUSES. NO FURTHER PROBLEM. HOWEVER A FRIEND HAS THE SAME VEHICLE IN A 2010 MODEL. SAME PROBLEM DEALER REPLACED A THROTTLE BODY. CHECK OUT THE GM FORUM AT [XXX] THIS FORUM SHOWS LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND IN SOME CASES CAUSING ACCIDENTS. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 1-24-2013, AND SO FAR IT APPEARS THAT MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED, HOWEVER IT APPEARS GM IS NOT REALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FOR THE NEXT OUT OF TOWN TRIP I TAKE. *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10494730

14,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012
Steering

CAR WAS PARKED IN AN OPEN PARKING LOT FOR MORE THAN 7 HOURS IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER (LESS THAN 20 F) WEATHER WITH HIGH WIND. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN THE EVENING, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "SERVICE STEERING; SERVICE BATTERY". WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND AND BEHAVED LIKE IT WAS LOCKED. AFTER A FEW…

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CAR WAS PARKED IN AN OPEN PARKING LOT FOR MORE THAN 7 HOURS IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER (LESS THAN 20 F) WEATHER WITH HIGH WIND. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN THE EVENING, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED "SERVICE STEERING; SERVICE BATTERY". WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND AND BEHAVED LIKE IT WAS LOCKED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES (3 TO 5 MINUTES), THE VEHICLE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448383

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.

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

11V339000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 28, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.

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.