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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 →

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.

7 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

19 reports
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176,300 miles · May 2, 2024
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the instrument cluster became inoperable, and the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after 20-seconds on all occasions. The traction control, stabili-trak, and the check engi…

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The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the instrument cluster became inoperable, and the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after 20-seconds on all occasions. The traction control, stabili-trak, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,300.

NHTSA ODI #11586497

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

TRUCK PURCHASED BY MY FATHER IN 2010 FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM HIM IN 2016. THE TRUCK HAS UNDER 120,000 MILES AND DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE AND SENSORS THE VEHICLE HAS SEIZED LEAVING ME WITH THOUSANDS IN REPAIR AND NO VEHICLE. THR VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON ME WITH MY CHILDREN SEVERAL TIMES LOSING PWOER, SHAKIN…

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TRUCK PURCHASED BY MY FATHER IN 2010 FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM HIM IN 2016. THE TRUCK HAS UNDER 120,000 MILES AND DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE AND SENSORS THE VEHICLE HAS SEIZED LEAVING ME WITH THOUSANDS IN REPAIR AND NO VEHICLE. THR VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON ME WITH MY CHILDREN SEVERAL TIMES LOSING PWOER, SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS OIL AND THE PRESSURE UNIT DID NOT READ LOW OR SHUT THE TRUCK DOWN.. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS AN AIRBAG RECALL FROM 2016 THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR. I STILL MAKE PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE COSTING THOUSANDS FOR REPAIR. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11352190

194,251 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 Z 71 4 X 4 FROM EIGHT GRAPH IN DAVISON AND IT HAD MULTIPLE MISFIRES I PUT NEW SPARK PLUGS WIRES COILS AND FUEL INJECTORS AND NOW IT'S MISS FIRING AND CYLINDER SIX AND I PUT ANOTHER SET OF SPARK PLUGS WIRES AND COIL'S ON IT AND IT STILL MISFIRE AND CYLINDER SIX I'M TRYING TO SEE IF IT SOMETHIN…

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I BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 Z 71 4 X 4 FROM EIGHT GRAPH IN DAVISON AND IT HAD MULTIPLE MISFIRES I PUT NEW SPARK PLUGS WIRES COILS AND FUEL INJECTORS AND NOW IT'S MISS FIRING AND CYLINDER SIX AND I PUT ANOTHER SET OF SPARK PLUGS WIRES AND COIL'S ON IT AND IT STILL MISFIRE AND CYLINDER SIX I'M TRYING TO SEE IF IT SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURE

NHTSA ODI #11342353

211,000 miles · Jan 22, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY STABILITRACK TURNS OFF THEN FEW SECONDS LATER TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF THEN I GET EITHER A CYLINDER MISFIRE OR THROTTLE BODY CODE. TRUCK THEN GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE WITH ROUGH IDLE. I CAN CLEAR THE CODES WITH OBD READER AND IT RUNS FINE FOR A WHILE.

NHTSA ODI #11301255

210,000 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

" TAKARA RECALL ". WHILE DRIVE TRUCK, STABIKITRAK LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT STABIKITRAK IS OFF. LIGHT THEN TURNS OFF. OTHER ISSUE STABIKITRAK LIGHT COMES ON STATING STABIKITRAK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF REDUCE ENGINE POWER. DASH STATS STABIKITRAK NEEDS SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS SERVICE ENGINE STILL IN LIMP MODE. PULL…

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" TAKARA RECALL ". WHILE DRIVE TRUCK, STABIKITRAK LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT STABIKITRAK IS OFF. LIGHT THEN TURNS OFF. OTHER ISSUE STABIKITRAK LIGHT COMES ON STATING STABIKITRAK OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF REDUCE ENGINE POWER. DASH STATS STABIKITRAK NEEDS SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS SERVICE ENGINE STILL IN LIMP MODE. PULL TRUCK ONTO THE SHOULDER OR SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY TO TURN TRUCK OFF. TRUCK OFF FOR 15 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTES. RESTART THE TRUCK AND DRIVES JUST FINE. TOOK IT TO SHOP. ITEMS THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE BODY SENSOR, MAP SENSOR, MASS SENSOR, ABS MODULE, TRIED TO PUT A NEW ECU ON IT DIDN'T WORK SO PUT OLD ON BACK ON. CHANGED OUT FRONT WHEEL HUBS ASSEMBLY AND STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS I'M MOTION DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON NORMAL TO WET TO COLD TO WARM. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING IN BOTH CITY, HIGHWAY AND TURNING. ITS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE TRUCK GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND HAVING TO PULL IT OFF THE SHOULDER OR SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11193533

183,329 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65-70 MPH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND ALL OTHER GAUGES. LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS REMAINED ON. TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. SHIFTING TRANSMISSION TO PARK, REVERSE OR NEUTRAL WOULD NOT REGISTER, BUT WOULD SHIFT. SERVICE ENG…

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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65-70 MPH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND ALL OTHER GAUGES. LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS REMAINED ON. TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. SHIFTING TRANSMISSION TO PARK, REVERSE OR NEUTRAL WOULD NOT REGISTER, BUT WOULD SHIFT. SERVICE ENGINE, ABS LIGHT AND STABILITRAK OFF LIGHT CAME ON. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION MESSAGE CENTER READ SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK ON A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE, WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DROVE HOME, WITHOUT SPEEDOMETER AND MILES DID NOT REGISTER ON ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI #11170729

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THE STABLICHECK LIGHT COMES ON. IT GET CHECKED OUT ST DEALERSHIP.. NO PROBLEMS. THE LIFTERS FAILED IN 2016.. WHY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED VERY WELL. I HEAR THIS IS KNOWN GM PROBLEM. FRIENDS HAVE SAME ISSUES.THE TRUCK IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THE ISSUES ABOVE START TO OCCUR

NHTSA ODI #11166601

122,000 miles · Nov 11, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TAKATA RECALLED

NHTSA ODI #11150853

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL ALERT "STABILITRACK OFF" AND THEN MOMENTS LATER "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 1 MINUTE BEFORE TURNING IT BACK ON. THIS CAN HAPPEN ON ROADS WHERE IT IS DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK FOR AN ACCIDEN…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL ALERT "STABILITRACK OFF" AND THEN MOMENTS LATER "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 1 MINUTE BEFORE TURNING IT BACK ON. THIS CAN HAPPEN ON ROADS WHERE IT IS DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND NO OTHER AUTO SHOP HAS AN ANSWER FOR ME AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN RESET MULTIPLE TIMES AND SOMETIMES THIS WILL HELP THE ISSUE NOT HAPPEN FOR A LONG LENGTH OF TIME BUT THE ISSUE ALWAYS COMES BACK. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF REVIEWS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, THE CONCLUSION IS NO ONE HAS THE SAME FIX AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THERE IS NO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11114744

67,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, SERVICE STABILTRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING ALL CAME ON AT ONCE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO REDUCE SPEED QUICKLY AND DANGEROUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AS THE MY SPEED WEN…

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I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, SERVICE STABILTRACK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING ALL CAME ON AT ONCE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO REDUCE SPEED QUICKLY AND DANGEROUSLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AS THE MY SPEED WENT FROM 68 MPH TO LESS THAN 30 MPH IN AN INSTANT. THANKFULLY THE GENTLEMAN WAS ABLE TO SLOW IN TIME- THROUGH ON HIS HAZARDS AND HELP ESCORT ME TO THE EMERGENCY SHOULDER. MY TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000 MILE ON IT AND THIS PROBLEM HAS NOW HAPPENED 5 TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MATTER AND THIS IS KNOW ISSUE AND IS ALL OVER THE GM FORUMS WITH MULTIPLE MODELS. EACH FIX REPORTED COMES AFTER CUSTOMERS HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE DEALERS TO LOCATE THE ISSUES. GM/CHEVY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND YET THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS CAUSED FROM A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART AND CAUSES A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION!

NHTSA ODI #11081714

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.

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

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.