THE DEFROST DOES NOT WORK WELL. IT ONLY SEEMS TO CLEAR ABOUT A 2FT SECTION OF THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD REMAIN FOGGED UP SO YOU CANNOT SEE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
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.
What owners actually said
362 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO TWO COWS AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO TWO COWS AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BRACKETS WERE RUSTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SENT PHOTOS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FIVE YEAR, FIFTY-THOUSAND MILE RUST AND CORROSION WARRANTY BUT TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BRACKETS WERE RUSTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SENT PHOTOS TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A FIVE YEAR, FIFTY-THOUSAND MILE RUST AND CORROSION WARRANTY BUT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT WOULD NOT BE HELD IN PLACE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 9/27/11 *CN UPDATED 3/22/12 *CN
2010 SILVERADO K1500, 4.3 L V-6, LONG BED, STANDARD CAB. FROM NEW THE EXHAUST RATTLES/VIBRATION AT CRUISE 1300 TO 1500 RPM. DOES NOT DO THIS AT ANY OTHER RPM ONLY THE RANGE STATED. ON SHUT DOWN BACKFIRE POP OUT THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE. VEHICLE HAS 3100 MILES ON IT NOW. NO OTHER ISSUES NOTED. *TR
TIRE MONITOR LIGHT CAME ON. READ, RIGHT REAR TIRE LOW ADD AIR. PULLED ONTO SIDE ROAD TO INSPECT TIRE. TIRE WAS UP ON FIRST LOOK AND PLACED MY HAND ON TIRE TO BEND DOWN AND GET A BETTER LOOK. SIDE OF TIRE BLEW OUT , I ENDED UP IN DITCH. WAS NOT INJURED. AFTER TIRE REMOVED FROM WHEEL FOUND MUCH DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL INSIDE AND ONE H…
Read full complaint
TIRE MONITOR LIGHT CAME ON. READ, RIGHT REAR TIRE LOW ADD AIR. PULLED ONTO SIDE ROAD TO INSPECT TIRE. TIRE WAS UP ON FIRST LOOK AND PLACED MY HAND ON TIRE TO BEND DOWN AND GET A BETTER LOOK. SIDE OF TIRE BLEW OUT , I ENDED UP IN DITCH. WAS NOT INJURED. AFTER TIRE REMOVED FROM WHEEL FOUND MUCH DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL INSIDE AND ONE HOLE IN TREAD. NOTHING FOUND IN TIRE THAT MAY HAVE PENETRATED TREAT. OEM JACK BENT AND WOULD NOT RAISE TRUCK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 LTZ. THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE PASSENGER HIT HER CHEST ON THE DASHBOARD AND WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 LTZ. THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE PASSENGER HIT HER CHEST ON THE DASHBOARD AND WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ONLY DEPLOY IN LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT HAS POSSIBLY ENGAGE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT HAS POSSIBLY ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAPHAZARDLY, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NEITHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE NOR PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A DELAY IN DECELERATE FOR AT LEAST FOUR SECONDS AFTER DISENGAGING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME YET THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A THREE TO FIVE SECOND DELAYED RESPONSE BEFORE THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A THREE TO FIVE SECOND DELAYED RESPONSE BEFORE THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DECEPTIVE PURCHASE PRACTICES AT DEALER *TGW
2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Z71 LT EXT. CAB, DRIVER FRONT SEAT FOAM DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED, BUT THE SEAT IS ANGLED TO THE LEFT AND THE SEAT BACK (WHAT YOU LEAN BACK ON), IS LEANING BACK ON THE LEFT. SEAT BELT CROSSES OVER LEFT BREAST AROUND YOUR NECK. THE SEAT (WHAT YOU SIT ON) SLANTS DOWN ON THE LEFT. THIS THROWS YOU…
Read full complaint
2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Z71 LT EXT. CAB, DRIVER FRONT SEAT FOAM DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED, BUT THE SEAT IS ANGLED TO THE LEFT AND THE SEAT BACK (WHAT YOU LEAN BACK ON), IS LEANING BACK ON THE LEFT. SEAT BELT CROSSES OVER LEFT BREAST AROUND YOUR NECK. THE SEAT (WHAT YOU SIT ON) SLANTS DOWN ON THE LEFT. THIS THROWS YOUR WHOLE BODY OFF BALANCE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU ARE AT AN AWKWARD POSITION DRIVING IN MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND SHORTLY AFTER I NOTICED THE FRONT SEAT BACK WAS TWISTED TOWARD THE FRONT AND I TOOK IT BACK AND THAT IS WHEN ALL THE TROUBLE BEGAN. IF THERE WERE TO BE A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLOY, IT WOULD IN FACT MAKE YOUR HEAD GO OFF THE HEADREST BECAUSE YOUR HEAD IS AT THE EDGE ON THE LEFT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SEAT MEETS GM SPECIFICATIONS, BUT I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE SIT IN THE SEAT AND ALL SAY IT IS CROOKED. I HAVE CALLED THE GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON MONDAY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SO A REPRESENTATIVE CAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TRUCK COULD BE FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AND NOW THE SEAT DOES NOT GO BACK AS FAR AS IT DID WHEN NEW AND THE WHOLE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN SWITCHED OUT AND I KNOW IT HAS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THE SEAT LOOKS WARN AND THE FOAM IS SQUASHED DOWN AND THE PADDING IN THE BACK AND FRAME WIGGLE AROUND. THE SEAT IN MY TRUCK, WHEN I PURCHASED IT, WERE FIRM AND NOW THEY ARE LOOSE. POPPING NOISES I KEEP HEARING, LIKE SOMETHING IS BREAKING LOOSE, UNDER THE SEAT. THE LUMBAR, IF YOU CAN SIT STRAIGHT UP, HITS YOU IN YOURBACK, RIGHT SIDE AT LUMBAR AND LEFT SIDE WAY ABOVE YOUR HIP. WHAT DOES THIS TELL YOU? BUT, I FEEL, SINCE I PAID CASH FOR THIS VEHICLE, THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX ANYTHING AND IT ONLY HAS ABT. 10,800 MILES ON IT. *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