FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM WHILE BRAKING. ISSUE WAS A BREAK IN THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH CAUSING A SHORT. BROKEN WIRE STILL HAD INSULATOR IN TACT AS IF NEW. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE DUE TO TYPE OR UNDERSIZED WIRE AS THIS IS THE SECOND HARNESS FAILURE ON THE TRUCK
2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 525.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
167 reports with mileage · 195 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 197 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
21 reportsSTARTED GETTING AN "SERVICE SRS SYSTEM" DIC NOTIFICATION AND SRS. I WAS ABLE TO NARROW DOWN THE CAUSE TO OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR. USED A SCAN TOOL TO READ THE CODES AND IT WAS THROWING CODE B0085 SYMPTOM 00 WHICH IS A SIDE IMPACT SENSOR. REPLACED SIDE IMPACT SENSOR AND ISSUES PERSIST WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I WAS DIR…
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STARTED GETTING AN "SERVICE SRS SYSTEM" DIC NOTIFICATION AND SRS. I WAS ABLE TO NARROW DOWN THE CAUSE TO OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR. USED A SCAN TOOL TO READ THE CODES AND IT WAS THROWING CODE B0085 SYMPTOM 00 WHICH IS A SIDE IMPACT SENSOR. REPLACED SIDE IMPACT SENSOR AND ISSUES PERSIST WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I WAS DIRECTED BY A FEW MECHANICS THAT CHEVROLET HAD CHANGED THE GAUGE OF THE WIRES AND THEY HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE SHIELDING WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ANY SIGNS OF WEAR. USING AN OHM METER I TESTED OUT THE SENSOR WIRES AND SURE ENOUGH WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED THE WIRE HAS CONTACT HOWEVER IF IT MOVES AT ALL IT BREAKS CREATING AN OPEN LOOP. I HAVE LOOKED OVER EVERY INCH OF THE HARNESS AND THERE IS ZERO SIGNS OF WEAR ON THE PROTECTIVE COVER, TAPE, OR EVEN THE WIRE INSULATOR ITSELF.
ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AS IF THE KEY WERE TURNED OFF , THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES- I LOSE POWER STEERING, ALL ELECTRICAL, STEERING ETC. VERY FRUSTRATING BC CHEVY STATES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 2010 MODEL SILVERADO SO I'M EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET??? THIS ISN'T RIGHT- I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PLEASED WITH MY CHEVYS BUT NOT W…
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ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AS IF THE KEY WERE TURNED OFF , THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES- I LOSE POWER STEERING, ALL ELECTRICAL, STEERING ETC. VERY FRUSTRATING BC CHEVY STATES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 2010 MODEL SILVERADO SO I'M EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET??? THIS ISN'T RIGHT- I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PLEASED WITH MY CHEVYS BUT NOT WITH THIS ONE. *TR
DRIVING APPROX 55MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND SEVERAL MESSAGES CAME TO DASH (ENGINE POWER REDUCED, TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND SERVICE STABILITRACK). DUE TO SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED, I WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT FROM A FOLLOWING VEHICLE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER…
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DRIVING APPROX 55MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND SEVERAL MESSAGES CAME TO DASH (ENGINE POWER REDUCED, TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND SERVICE STABILITRACK). DUE TO SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED, I WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT FROM A FOLLOWING VEHICLE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. DUE TO A PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCY WITH THE THROTTLE BODY (IDENTIFIED BY CHEVY) THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE 5 MILES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND THE MESSAGES REAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PEDAL ACCELERATOR SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE A PROBLEM BY CHEVY. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR WORK IN CONJUNCTION AND THAT HE FREQUENTLY SEES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR FAILING TO OPERATE AS INTENDED, RESULTING IN REPLACEMENTS. HOWEVER, HE EXPLAINED THAT CHEVROLET HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR AS A DEFECTED PART AND NO RECALL CURRENTLY EXISTS EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. I CONDUCTED RESEARCH IN GENERAL MOTORS FORUMS, ETC. AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG CHEVY VEHICLES. SOME INDIVIDUAL WERE TRAVELING AT GREATER SPEEDS WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLES WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT REDUCTION IN SPEED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. PROBLEM IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR IS OFTEN REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR A WHILE, THENWILL REOCCUR DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR SHALL BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE HISTORY
ON MARCH 30, 2014, I NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT PARKING LIGHT OF MY 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 WAS ILLUMINATED AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS WERE OFF. I TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY UNTIL I COULD HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED TH…
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ON MARCH 30, 2014, I NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT PARKING LIGHT OF MY 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 WAS ILLUMINATED AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS WERE OFF. I TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY UNTIL I COULD HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A PORTION OF THE TERMINALS IN THE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BLOCK (FUSE/RELAY PANEL), LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD SIGNIFICANT CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT SITUATION. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO CORROSION UNDER THE JUNCTION BLOCK WHERE ALL THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG INTO. HE WAS PERPLEXED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF WATER OR CHEMICAL DAMAGE TO THE JUNCTION BLOCK AND ALSO THE AGE OF THE TRUCK AND LOW MILEAGE. HE FURTHER STATED EVEN WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF, THE PANEL WAS VERY HOT DUE OF THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CAUSED BY THE CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SITUATION FOR A FIRE. HE ADDED THAT A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HAD A REPORT OF A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 THAT HAD A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BLOCK. AFTER CONDUCTING SEARCH OF THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM IN 2009-2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO'S. I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO PARK THERE TRUCK IN THERE GARAGE AND A FIRE WILL ENSUE THAT WILL CAUSE INJURY OF DEATH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED EXCESSIVE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FUSE BOX. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE SEVERAL FUSES THAT CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUSE BOX. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED EXCESSIVE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FUSE BOX. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE SEVERAL FUSES THAT CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUSE BOX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,312.
DRIVING TO DALLAS TEXAS AND FREEWAY 40 EAST BOUND ABOUT 3:00 AM OR ABIT AFTER 3:00 AM IT BEGAN TO SMELL BURNT AND AFTER THAT WE BEGAN TO SEE BLACK SMOKE IN THE FROM OF THE ENGINE STRAIGHT FROM WHERE I DRIVE WE TRAVELED ABOUT 70-75 MILES/ PER HOUR WHEN WE TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK THE LIGHTS AND LOCKS INSIDE STARTED ACTING CRAZY AN…
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DRIVING TO DALLAS TEXAS AND FREEWAY 40 EAST BOUND ABOUT 3:00 AM OR ABIT AFTER 3:00 AM IT BEGAN TO SMELL BURNT AND AFTER THAT WE BEGAN TO SEE BLACK SMOKE IN THE FROM OF THE ENGINE STRAIGHT FROM WHERE I DRIVE WE TRAVELED ABOUT 70-75 MILES/ PER HOUR WHEN WE TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK THE LIGHTS AND LOCKS INSIDE STARTED ACTING CRAZY AND ALSO THE ALARM WAS CRAZY AT THE MOMENT WE WERE SCARED FOR OUR LIVES BECAUSE WE COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER JUST WENT DEAD. NO SPEED, NO TACH, NO FUEL GAUGE, NO ENGINE TEMP SENSOR. WAS TOWING SA TRAILER AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT VERIFY MILEAGE DUE TO NO POWER TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WILL BE CALLING GM DIRECTLY. *TR
GAUGES STICK 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AS IF THE KEY WERE TURNED OFF , THIS HAS HAPPENED 14 TIMES IN THIRTY MONTHS ALL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON VARIOUS HIGHWAYS AND AT VARIOUS TIMES OF DAY. YOU THUS LOOSE ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *TR
Official recalls
321V050000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP22005 · 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.
Illustration