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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

Structure complaints

54 reports
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79,000 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Air BagsStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE FRACTURES AROUND THE LOCATION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10860496

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Air BagsStructure

CRACKED DASHBOARD NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. CAN PRESENT A HAZARD IF PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND THE DASHBOARD FAILS IN A WAY THAT CAN SEND BROKEN PIECES, INJURING THE PASSENGER MORE SEVERELY DURING A COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI #10825458

90,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD FRACTURED FROM HEAT STRESS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10670939

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2014
Structure

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LTZ CREW CAB WITH APPROXIMATELY 96K MILES I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW SINCE PURCHASING A NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD UNDER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. ALSO THE TWO DOOR HANDLES ONE BEING THE DRIVER FRON…

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LTZ CREW CAB WITH APPROXIMATELY 96K MILES I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW SINCE PURCHASING A NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD UNDER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. ALSO THE TWO DOOR HANDLES ONE BEING THE DRIVER FRONT AND THE OTHER BEING PASSENGER FRONT THE CHROME FINISH SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT STAYING ADHERED O THE HANDLE AND COME OFF IN SHARP EDGES MAKING IT EASY TO CUT YOU HAND. AS THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE THEY USED ON THESE TRUCKS THE 2 ISSUES ON HERE ARE NOT JUST ON 1 VEHICLE BUT NUMEROUS SILVERADO TAHOES AND TRUCKS WITH THE SAME DASH AND HANDLES. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY POSE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE HANDLE MAY CUT YOU AND THE DASH MAY PROJECT SHARP PIECES IF JAGGED PLASTIC IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. MYSELF AND MANY OTHERS FEEL THAT THE GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES AND AS THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURES SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX A DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS PRODUCT THEY PUT OUT WITH THE FORM OF A RECALL. I'VE SEEN THIS ISSUE RANGE FROM TRUCKS BETWEEN 2008-2012 WITH 1- 10000000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668485

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2014
Structure

I NOTICED THAT THE THAT THE CONSOLE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO CRACK. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE ISSUE AT ALL. THEN ABOUT A YEAR LATER I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO BEGAN TO CRACK. OF COURSE AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR OUT OF POCK…

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I NOTICED THAT THE THAT THE CONSOLE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO CRACK. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE ISSUE AT ALL. THEN ABOUT A YEAR LATER I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALSO BEGAN TO CRACK. OF COURSE AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR OUT OF POCKET IF I WANTED FIXED. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER THINGS LIKE THE AUTOMATIC LOCK ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONED. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR WORKMANSHIP. FOR THIS REASON, I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DID NOT CONSIDER CHEVY AT ALL. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE. IT OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECT THAT IS A VENDOR ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667943

17,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Structure

DASH BOARD CRACKED BY PASSENGER AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660152

15,000 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Structure

2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH 15000 MILES. TWO CRACKS ON DASH ONE BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, AND ONE RIGHT ABOVE GAUGE CLUSTER(SPEEDOMETER). VERY COMMON ON THESE TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608089

64,000 miles · Aug 17, 2013
Structure

2009 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB PASSENGER DASH CRACKED RIGHT IN BETWEEN AIRBAG. REALLY CONCERNED IF AIRBAG IS ENGAGED/DEPLOYED THE DASH WILL INTERFERE OR CAUSE HARM OR BODILY INJURY DUE TO CRACKED DASH PIECES TO BECOME PROJECTILES INTO THE CAB. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY GMC THEY WONT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WILL CHARGE A GOODWI…

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2009 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB PASSENGER DASH CRACKED RIGHT IN BETWEEN AIRBAG. REALLY CONCERNED IF AIRBAG IS ENGAGED/DEPLOYED THE DASH WILL INTERFERE OR CAUSE HARM OR BODILY INJURY DUE TO CRACKED DASH PIECES TO BECOME PROJECTILES INTO THE CAB. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY GMC THEY WONT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WILL CHARGE A GOODWILL FEE. PRICES VARY FROM DEALERSHIP TO DEALERSHIP DEPENDING ON LOCATION. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MASS PHENOMENA AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535835

72,000 miles · Jul 13, 2013
Electrical SystemStructureFire

MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS. IT WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP UNTIL IT WAS PARKED..AFTER TWO DAYS OF BEING PARKED IN THE RAIN,THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT ON BY ITSELF. I OPENED THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGN…

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MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS. IT WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP UNTIL IT WAS PARKED..AFTER TWO DAYS OF BEING PARKED IN THE RAIN,THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT ON BY ITSELF. I OPENED THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND LIFTED OFF THE FUSE PANEL COVER,BECAUSE THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING. THEN,THERE WAS SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. AFTER PICKING IT UP TODAY,THEY CHARGED ME $1555 TO REPAIR,YET COULD NOT PROVIDE A LOGICAL REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED! THEY SAID"CORROSION" IN THE FUSE PANEL. HOW COULD A VEHICLE MADE IN 2009 WITH 72,000 MILES HAVE A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS WITHOUT A MAJOR ISSUE BEING WRONG? I FEAR FOR OTHER'S SAFETY,AS I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE GOING ON. PER MY RESEARCH,THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM. PIT-5090. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH WATER BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FUSE PANEL BOX DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND THE POOR INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY OF A RUBBER SEAL. VERY SERIOUS ISSUE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!! I HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MY POSSESSION AND CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED! SHOULD BE RECALLED OR OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLE INSPECTED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524630

58,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LARGE FRACTURES LOCATED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD AND A LARGE FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FRACTURES WERE LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LARGE FRACTURES LOCATED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD AND A LARGE FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FRACTURES WERE LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10521470

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.