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2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

224 reports with mileage · 220 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 230 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

43 reports
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21,518 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER THE FIRST TIME, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER THE FIRST TIME, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,518.

NHTSA ODI #10981027

98,000 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE INCORRECT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE INCORRECT GEARS INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10969299

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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 #10966395

60,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED, THE ABS DID NOT FULLY DISENGAGE, AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR INDEPENDENTLY WOULD INDICATE PARK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED, THE ABS DID NOT FULLY DISENGAGE, AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR INDEPENDENTLY WOULD INDICATE PARK WHILE IN DRIVE. ALSO, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO IT BEING AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10950242

94,789 miles · Jan 14, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER PARKING MY TRUCK IN DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO FIND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS UP AND THE TRUCK DEAD. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT WOULD COME ON WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL ON GENE…

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AFTER PARKING MY TRUCK IN DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO FIND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS UP AND THE TRUCK DEAD. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT WOULD COME ON WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL ON GENERAL MOTORS WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #10945322

35,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 02/15/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10937550

93,000 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I HAVE SEEN YOUTUBE VIDEO'S/FORUMS ONLINE ABOUT THE 2009 MODEL YEAR SILVERADO'S INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER FAILING WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS MY OWN. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY. HAPPENS ON STARTUP, DRIVING, AND PARKED. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10930094

105,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)StructureFire

THE TRUCK WAS SITTING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND MY NEIGHBOR NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS AND WIPERS CAME ON (TRUCK WAS NOT ON, NO KEYS WERE IN IT, NOBODY WAS IN IT OR NEAR IT!). SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A FIRE STARTED. MY NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAD THE TRUCK …

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THE TRUCK WAS SITTING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND MY NEIGHBOR NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS AND WIPERS CAME ON (TRUCK WAS NOT ON, NO KEYS WERE IN IT, NOBODY WAS IN IT OR NEAR IT!). SMOKE THEN BEGAN TO BILLOW OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND A FIRE STARTED. MY NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUSE PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEY CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE PART. DEALING WITH INSURANCE NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10905022

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SO ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BATTERY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE TILL ABOUT MONTH THREE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE ELECTRICAL STARTED FREAKING OUT ON ME. I POPPED THE HOOD AND PUSHED THE NEGATIVE WIRE FOR THE BATTERY DOWN AND IT STOPPED FOR A GOOD TWO MONTHS SO TODAY (JUNE 7TH, 2016)I WAS ON MY WAY TO…

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SO ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE BATTERY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE TILL ABOUT MONTH THREE. I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE ELECTRICAL STARTED FREAKING OUT ON ME. I POPPED THE HOOD AND PUSHED THE NEGATIVE WIRE FOR THE BATTERY DOWN AND IT STOPPED FOR A GOOD TWO MONTHS SO TODAY (JUNE 7TH, 2016)I WAS ON MY WAY TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE BATTERY FOR ME AND ON MY WAY OVER TO THEM TRUCK THRE A TEMPER TANTRUM AND STARTED WITH THE FREAKING OUT THEN I WAS ALMOST THERE AND IT JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WAS LUCKLY IN THE TURNING LANE TO TURN INTO THE AUTOZONE. IT ALSO FID IT WHEN I WAS COMING OVER THE MOUNTAIN FREAKING OUT WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THEN JUST COMPLETLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE INTERSECTION AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER SILVERADO 2500 THAT WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME. BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT'LL BE OKAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST START UP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10873330

171,500 miles · May 31, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE EVERYTHING GOES CRAZY AT ONCE: DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK, ENGINE CUTS AND GOES BACK ON, STABILITRAK LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF, TRANSMISSION KICKS OUT OF GEAR AND THEN DOWNSHIFTS SENDING THE ENGINE TO OVER 5,000 RPM, RADIO GOES OFF AND ON OFF AND ON. THIS EVENT LASTS FOR ABOUT 5 TO 7 SECOND…

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WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE EVERYTHING GOES CRAZY AT ONCE: DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK, ENGINE CUTS AND GOES BACK ON, STABILITRAK LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF, TRANSMISSION KICKS OUT OF GEAR AND THEN DOWNSHIFTS SENDING THE ENGINE TO OVER 5,000 RPM, RADIO GOES OFF AND ON OFF AND ON. THIS EVENT LASTS FOR ABOUT 5 TO 7 SECONDS THEN EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID #10871399. IT IS AN EXTREMELY SCARY EVENT AND WHEN IN TRAFFIC GOING 70 AND THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS AND THE SPEED DROPS TO 50 LIKE YOU SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT THIS MORNING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2014 WITH 114,000 MILES, THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN 2014 WITH APPROX. 118,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 171,500.

NHTSA ODI #10871564

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.

21V052000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, 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." 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 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 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 N212328780.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.