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2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Limited mileage data: 7 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2025
Steering

The steering adjustment moves in and out but will not move up or down. You can hear a clicking noise like it’s trying to move but nothing happens to the steering column.

NHTSA ODI #11703480

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2025
Engine

The DEF exhaust system has failed. It was replaced before under a recall. The warranty was previously extended on the system but I am outside of the mileage window but inside of the time window. I have $6000 in repairs so far and am trying to get assistance. I have been dealing with issues since October 2024

NHTSA ODI #11640604

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

2020050005-Modificationto emission control system cause:F Was informed of the Mercedes-Benz Recall for 2015 250 GLK BlueTec which I took to Dothan, AL Mercedes-Benz Dealership to have done for my safety. The car was not repaired correctly. It started to smoke a gray smoke coming up from under the car on the passenger side of the…

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2020050005-Modificationto emission control system cause:F Was informed of the Mercedes-Benz Recall for 2015 250 GLK BlueTec which I took to Dothan, AL Mercedes-Benz Dealership to have done for my safety. The car was not repaired correctly. It started to smoke a gray smoke coming up from under the car on the passenger side of the car over the front tire. I do have pictures. It smells as if it is about to catch on fire. The car never had any problems before this botched repair. Now they say they cannot find the problem. I’m afraid to drive it until they do. Each time they return it, the smoke is worse.

NHTSA ODI #11443312

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2021
Electrical System

The driver's side seat failed. Due to a seat electrical harness failure the seat became stuck and neither the seat seatback or headrest could be moved. I could comfortably still reach steering wheel and pedals but my wife could not safely do so. The car has approximately 36k miles on it. I paid to repair this $831 negotiated dow…

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The driver's side seat failed. Due to a seat electrical harness failure the seat became stuck and neither the seat seatback or headrest could be moved. I could comfortably still reach steering wheel and pedals but my wife could not safely do so. The car has approximately 36k miles on it. I paid to repair this $831 negotiated down from $1600+. This is a pressing NHTSA issue because on the repair invoice the technician noted that a 40 amp fuse had been installed in a 30 amp socket. Presumably it came from the factory in this condition. The car has only been serviced by MBZ dealers - 2, palm springs and sandiego- and to my knowledge no one has touched the fuses or box. The electrical system from the factory is running 40 amps on a circuit designed for 30. This is a manufacturing or design defect which will likely as here, cause failure and could possibly at least to my non electrical engineer's mind cause fire.

NHTSA ODI #11431865

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering

When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a reca…

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When driving, the steering wheel locks and I can no longer steer the vehicle, it locks in a way that I cannot move the steering wheel at all, which may cause me to crash if I am at a dead end road and need to turn. I have been trying to contact the manufacturer for resolution but have not received any responses. This was a recall back in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-595 for 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz cars, with the component of Steering/Electric Power Assist System. I am not sure why my car is not listed in the recall since it does have this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11423654

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CLEAR LAKE (500 GULF FWY S, LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573) , WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CLEAR LAKE (500 GULF FWY S, LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573) , WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11364191

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ME…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MERCEDES-BENZ OF CHANTILLY (14841 STONECROFT CENTER CT, CHANTILLY, VA 20151) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11340359

106,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL …

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SAFETY FEATURES BECOME LIMITED OR INOPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. DOES NOT FIX ISSUE. ALL PRE-SAFE FUNCTIONS BECOME INOPERARABLE UNDER THIS FAILURE. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS REPORT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SEEMS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL OR FIND ROOT OF ISSUE. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, OR OFTEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CRUISE CONTROL, ADAPTIVE STEERING, LANE ASSIST, BLIND SPOT DETECTORS, PRE-SAFE BRAKING FEATURES WILL ALL BECOME INOPERABLE AND THROW MULTIPLE FAILURE READINGS ON DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11310441

84,000 miles · Feb 8, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR WILL PUT ITSELF IN PARK WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT SLOW SPEEDS.I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING UP ON A STOPLIGHT THAT WAS RED BEFORE I COULD STOP THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN PARK AT THE SAME TIME THE LIGHT WAS TURNING GREEN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND

NHTSA ODI #11307940

39,000 miles · Nov 23, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

ACCELERATION FROM A STOP - WHEN YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. HAVE TO PUMP PEDAL 2-3 TIMES FOR CAR TO ACCELERATE. HAVE ONLY NOTICED AROUND TOWN WITH FREQUENT STOPS.

NHTSA ODI #11281939

Official recalls

5

19V787000 · Communication

Nov 1, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V787-4620.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019120008.

19V010000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2014 C250, C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2014-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, GLK 350, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrio, and 2014-2016 E550 Coupe vehicles 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, MBUSA is recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2011 C300, 2011-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2011-2016 E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles 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." MBUSA is also recalling certain 2012-2014 C250, E350 4Matic Coupe, SLS AMG Cabrio 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 4Matic Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2010-2011 C300, 2010-2014 C300 4Matic, C350, C63 AMG, E350 Coupe, 2011-2014 E350 Cabrio, SLS AMG Coupe, 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2016-2017 E550 Cabrio, 2010-2016 E550 Coupe, 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matic, GLK350 RWD, and 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

17V627000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 6, 2017

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, CLA45 AMG 4Matic, 2015-2018 GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, GLA45 AMG 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C63S AMG, 2012-2014 C250, C350, C300 4Matic, E550 4Matic, 2013-2014 C63 AMG, 2012-2015 C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG Coupe, 2013-2015 C350 4Matic Coupe, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, 2016-2017 C350e, C43 AMG, 2015 C400 4Matic, 2016-2018 C63 AMG, GLC300, GLC300 4Matic, 2017-2018 C300 Coupe, C300 4Matic Coupe, C43 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG Coupe, C300 Cabriolet, C300 4Matic Cabriolet, C43 AMG Cabriolet, C63 AMG Cabriolet, C63S AMG Cabriolet, GLC300 4Matic Coupe, GLC43 AMG, GLC43 AMG Coupe, 2014 E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic Coupe, E350 Cabriolet, E400 Hybrid, 2015-2017 E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Cabriolet, 2014-2017 E550 Coupe, E550 Cabriolet, B250e, 2014-2016 E250 BlueTec, E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon, 2012-2013 E350 BlueTec, 2012-2016 E350, E350 4Matic, 2015-2016 E400, E400 4Matic, 2012 E63 AMG, 2014-2015 E250 4Matic BlueTec, 2013-2016 E350 Wagon, 2017 GLC300d 4Matic, and 2018 GLC350e 4Matic. The driver's air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in December 6, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

15V351000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

Jun 8, 2015

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2015 E250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 15, 2014, E250 BlueTec 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2014, December 17, 2014, GLK250 vehicles manufactured November 13, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 ML250 BlueTec vehicles manufactured December 12, 2014, to February 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2015050005. Note: This is an expansion of NHTSA recall 14V-762.

14V762000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

Dec 1, 2014

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 E250 BlueTec, E250 BlueTec 4Matic, GLK250 4Matic BlueTec, and 2015 ML250 4Matic BlueTec vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, to November 10, 2014. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from around the chain tensioner gasket area.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Leaking oil may drip onto a hot engine surface, increasing the risk of a fire. Additionally, the leaking oil may be a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chain tensioner gasket, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mercedes' number for this recall is 2014120002.

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.