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2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 47 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 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

104 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2020
Air Bags

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2049151 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V381 BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO FIX THIS MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING I'M VERY ANGRY CAUSE I TAKE CARE MY TRUCK A LOT AND GM CAN'T FIX IT I TOOK MY TRUCK SEVERAL TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T HELP THEY JUST TOLD ME IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ONE TOLD ME TRADE MY TRUCK FOR A NEW ONE…

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MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2049151 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V381 BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO FIX THIS MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING I'M VERY ANGRY CAUSE I TAKE CARE MY TRUCK A LOT AND GM CAN'T FIX IT I TOOK MY TRUCK SEVERAL TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T HELP THEY JUST TOLD ME IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ONE TOLD ME TRADE MY TRUCK FOR A NEW ONE IS NOT THE WAY TO SELL NEW CARS

NHTSA ODI #11376245

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2020
Air Bags

4TH COMPLAINT ON THIS RECALL, STILL NO REMEDY FOR THIS BUT GM HAS MADE 10 MORE YEARS OF TRUCKS AND SELL REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS FOR THIS MODEL, NOT A GOOD SAFETY RECALL IF THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE DECIDING THIS VEHICLE IS TRULY AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG THEY INSTALLED. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. STILL N…

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4TH COMPLAINT ON THIS RECALL, STILL NO REMEDY FOR THIS BUT GM HAS MADE 10 MORE YEARS OF TRUCKS AND SELL REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS FOR THIS MODEL, NOT A GOOD SAFETY RECALL IF THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE DECIDING THIS VEHICLE IS TRULY AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG THEY INSTALLED. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. STILL NO RESPONSE FROM LAST COMPLAINT. NHTSA SHOULD BE DEFUNDED.

NHTSA ODI #11373803

167,000 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Unknown Or OtherInjury

POOR QUALITY, SHARP PIECES OF BROKEN DASH AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG. CRACK EXTENDS TO RADIO. CHEAP PLASTIC PARTS SHAME ON GM FOR NOT RECALLING THIS. MY 09 F-150 HAS NO CRACKS OR POOR QC. THIS TRUCK IS NOT SAFE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION ANYONE DRIVING IT SHOULD WEAR OSHA RATED SAFETY GLASSES.

NHTSA ODI #11366862

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11364694

135,000 miles · Sep 25, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I STARTED MY 2011 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 6.6L DIESEL AND MY DEF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH TELLING ME TO CHECK OWNERS MANUAL NOW. I PLUGGED IN MY CODE READER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT GAVE ME A CODE READING 'P20B9 REDUCTANT HEATER A CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN'. FROM WHAT I COULD RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON IS…

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I STARTED MY 2011 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 6.6L DIESEL AND MY DEF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH TELLING ME TO CHECK OWNERS MANUAL NOW. I PLUGGED IN MY CODE READER TO THE VEHICLE AND IT GAVE ME A CODE READING 'P20B9 REDUCTANT HEATER A CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN'. FROM WHAT I COULD RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THESE LML DIESEL TRUCKS WITH THE DEF SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11361140

98,000 miles · Aug 16, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH ON I 95, MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT PASSING LANE. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE MOVING THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO HA…

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WHILE DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH ON I 95, MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT PASSING LANE. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE MOVING THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. I WAS INFORMED THE CP4 FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAD FAILED AND REPAIRS WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $8,000 BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11349704

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ALL AMERICAN CHEVROLET OF KILLEEN (…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ALL AMERICAN CHEVROLET OF KILLEEN (1802 E. CENTRAL TEXAS EXPY, KILLEEN, TX 76541) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *JS

NHTSA ODI #11337214

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2020
Air Bags

GM IS SAYING THERE IS NO REMEDY YET, BUT THEY ARE SELLING REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS UNDER PART # 22744316. SO IS THERE NOT REMEDY OR DO THEY NOT WANT TO COVER THEIR RECALL. WHEN YOU PAY 50K FOR A VEHICLE YOU EXPECT THE MANUFACTURER TO STAND BEHIND IT. SAYING THE VEHICLE IS SAFE DOES NOT MAKE ME COMFORTABLE IF I WAS TO HAVE AN ACCIDEN…

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GM IS SAYING THERE IS NO REMEDY YET, BUT THEY ARE SELLING REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS UNDER PART # 22744316. SO IS THERE NOT REMEDY OR DO THEY NOT WANT TO COVER THEIR RECALL. WHEN YOU PAY 50K FOR A VEHICLE YOU EXPECT THE MANUFACTURER TO STAND BEHIND IT. SAYING THE VEHICLE IS SAFE DOES NOT MAKE ME COMFORTABLE IF I WAS TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE AIRBAG TO GO OFF. LET ALONG IF SOMEONE WAS TO DIE FROM THE AIRBAG. WHAT GOOD IS NHTSA IF YOU DON'T ENFORCE THE RECALLS, YOU CANNOT LET THE MANUFACTURER DECIDE THAT ANY OF THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL ARE SAFE. I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER GM VEHICLE IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324959

12,658 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Fuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL FILTER CLOGGED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DENNY MENHOLT CHEVROLET BUICK GMC 1172 16TH ST, CODY, WY 82414 (307) 527-7101 WHERE IT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL FILTER CLOGGED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DENNY MENHOLT CHEVROLET BUICK GMC 1172 16TH ST, CODY, WY 82414 (307) 527-7101 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP EXPLODED AND THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,658.

NHTSA ODI #11308815

136,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY 2500. 6.6 TURBO DIESEL AT 136K MILES. MY DEF HEATER JUST WENT OUT AND MY DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S ONLY UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 120K MILES. I'VE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND THERE'S A LOT OF 2011S THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IT'S COSTING ME $1200 TO FIX PLUS A DA…

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I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY 2500. 6.6 TURBO DIESEL AT 136K MILES. MY DEF HEATER JUST WENT OUT AND MY DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S ONLY UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 120K MILES. I'VE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND THERE'S A LOT OF 2011S THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IT'S COSTING ME $1200 TO FIX PLUS A DAY OFF WORK. I'M SELF EMPLOYED AND IF I SELL A FAULTY PRODUCT I'M REQUIRED TO REPLACE FOR FREE. G.M SHOULD BE DOING THE SAME.

NHTSA ODI #11306829

Official recalls

4

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.

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.

18V267000 · Equipment

Apr 26, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

14V407000 · Electrical System

Jul 2, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.

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

1

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.