← New search

2007 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

141 reports with mileage · 151 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 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports6 fire reports21 injury reports

Power Train complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
2 miles · Nov 21, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD THUMPING CRACKLING SOUND

NHTSA ODI #11375702

169,887 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, CHECK SUSPENSION, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, CHECK SUSPENSION, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,887.

NHTSA ODI #10875243

106,000 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Power Train

THE FORWARD SPRAG UNIT BROKE WHICH ENDED UP NOT ONLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF DRIVE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING BUT ALSO CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION TO REQUITE AN ENTIRE REBUILD. FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS ARE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THE TAHOE, YUKON AND BECAUSE THE COMPANY REFUSES TO BA…

Read full complaint

THE FORWARD SPRAG UNIT BROKE WHICH ENDED UP NOT ONLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF DRIVE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING BUT ALSO CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION TO REQUITE AN ENTIRE REBUILD. FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS ARE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THE TAHOE, YUKON AND BECAUSE THE COMPANY REFUSES TO BACK THEIR PRODUCTS AND RECALL THE ISSUE, IT ENDS UP BECOMING A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON A FAMILY. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ONE FOLLOWING DIRECTLY BEHIND US WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO TAKE NOTE AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. CONSUMERS HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT A QUALITY VEHICLE THAT SHOULD LAST WELL BEYOND 100K MILES WITHOUT REQUIRING THIS KIND OF MAJOR REPAIR. NOTE THAT GM IS SO AWARE OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM, THEY ACTUALLY UPDATED THEIR INPUT SPRAG ON LATER CARS TO MAKE THEM STRONGER. THATS RIGHT, THEY HAVE UPDATED THE COMPONENT BUT REFUSE TO RECALL THE ONES ALREADY IN VEHICLES THAT WERE WEAK. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE VEHICLE THAT FOLLOWED MINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN WITH GM THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577312

121,000 miles · May 24, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

OIL CONSUMPTION - AFTER ADVISING TERRY LABONTE CHEVROLET (GREENSBORO, NC) OF OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES FROM 60K THRU 99K AND FORMER DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETED BY COLLINS CHEVROLET (MT. AIRY, NC) @ 55K 59K & 60K GM IS UNWILLING TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AT 121K STATING THAT NO NOTES WERE RECORDED OF INCIDENTS UPON PRIOR NOTIFICATION.…

Read full complaint

OIL CONSUMPTION - AFTER ADVISING TERRY LABONTE CHEVROLET (GREENSBORO, NC) OF OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES FROM 60K THRU 99K AND FORMER DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETED BY COLLINS CHEVROLET (MT. AIRY, NC) @ 55K 59K & 60K GM IS UNWILLING TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AT 121K STATING THAT NO NOTES WERE RECORDED OF INCIDENTS UPON PRIOR NOTIFICATION. DEALERSHIP STATED REPAIR REQUIRE PISTON REBUILD FOR $5100 GM REP APPROVED REPAIR FOR $1365. GM CUST CARE UNWILLING TO COVER REPAIR AND HAS DISREGARDED PRIOR DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLAINT AT 55K, 59K, & 60K. DEALERSHIP ARE AWARE OF PROBLEMATIC 5.3 STATING UPON DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE WITHOUT REVIEW OF RECORDS THAT VEHICLE IS 07. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513479

89,000 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING HAD BEEN SLIGHT VIBRATION SEVERAL MONTH PRIOR WHICH WAS REPORTED TO DEALER-HE SAID WHEEL BALANCE-DID NOT HELP ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WORKED. LOCAL DEALER QUOTED $2,800 TO REPLACE. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH.GM OFFERED TO PAY 45%. I WOULD PAY $1540. WHEN PICKED UP CAR I HAD TO…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING HAD BEEN SLIGHT VIBRATION SEVERAL MONTH PRIOR WHICH WAS REPORTED TO DEALER-HE SAID WHEEL BALANCE-DID NOT HELP ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WORKED. LOCAL DEALER QUOTED $2,800 TO REPLACE. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH.GM OFFERED TO PAY 45%. I WOULD PAY $1540. WHEN PICKED UP CAR I HAD TO PAY $2300! TOLD THE WARRANTY FROM GM CAUSED THE PRICE TO GO UP. THE CAR STILL HAS A VIBRATION. A CAR WITH 80,000 MILES SHOULD NOT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491557

58,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012
Power Train

ON TWO OCCASIONS AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT READ "SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE" APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OKAY, AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN 2WD, NOT AUTO. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN HAVING A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE ISSUE THA…

Read full complaint

ON TWO OCCASIONS AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT READ "SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE" APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OKAY, AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN 2WD, NOT AUTO. ALSO, I HAVE BEEN HAVING A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE ISSUE THAT STARTED BETWEEN 50,000 MILES AND 58,000 MILES AND WAS VERY SPORADIC. WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP (STOP LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE), THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T ENGAGE AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER 10 TO 15 SECONDS OF PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FINALLY ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE SLOWLY WITH THE ENGINE REVVING. I MENTION THIS TO THE DEALER WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES AND I'M TOLD THAT THEY WILL NEED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW HOURS AND THERE IS A COST OF $120 PLUS TAX TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AS MY SCHEDULE DID NOT ALLOW FOR THIS THAT DAY, I LEFT. THE PROBLEM WAS VERY SPORADIC AT THIS POINT. AT 63,000 MILES I AM DRIVING OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS AND THE DISPLAY READS SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING". I PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR IT TO COOL, THEN MAKE MY WAY HOME. I ENTIRE TRIP HOME THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BETWEEN ALL GEARS AND SHIFTING HARD IN THE HIGHER GEARS. I TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY AND I'M TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE IS "NO EXTERNAL CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE" AND " THE INNER MECHANISM OF THE TRANSMISSION HAS FALLEN APART AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED". MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY ENDED 6 MONTHS AGO, SO I FACE A $3,350 BILL FOR THIS REPAIR. AFTER I COMPLAIN TO GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, THEY AGREE TO PAY 30% OF THE REPAIR AND 5 DAYS OF THE RENTAL CAR, BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460220

79,000 miles · May 13, 2012
Power Train

MY SUBURBAN WONT SHIFT OR MOVE IN DRIVE OR IN 3RD. IT WILL GO IN TO 2ND AND 1ST AND REVERSE. IT JUST REVS UP WHEN IN DRIVE. I WAS READING ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION OR DEFECTIVE PARTS CAUSING THIS IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458250

53,185 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Power Train

THIRD INCIDENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN (D) THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL REV UP (3RD & 2ND GEAR) SEEM TO WORK STILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 25 TO 55 MILE PER HOUR. ONLY ONE TIME HAS IT BEEN CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DE…

Read full complaint

THIRD INCIDENT FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING IN (D) THE TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL REV UP (3RD & 2ND GEAR) SEEM TO WORK STILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 25 TO 55 MILE PER HOUR. ONLY ONE TIME HAS IT BEEN CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER HAS MADE INSPECTIONS OF THE TRANSMISSION ONCE, THE SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER KEEPING THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 5 DAYS. THE SUGGESTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER WAS TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN EITHER 3RD OR 2ND GEAR DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LEAVING IT IN 3RD OR 2ND GEAR APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE SO THAT THE MANAGER AND A MECHANIC CAN GET INTO THE VEHICLE AND TEST WHAT'S WRONG. THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IT WAS AROUND 8:30 P.M. AND WE WERE UNABLE TO TAKE IT IN TO BE EXAMINED. THIS PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE MAKING A TURN OR AT ANYTIME WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302899

65,414 miles · Jul 7, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE DRIVE POSITION AFTER BEING PLACED INTO REVERSE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THREE PLATES, A VALVE, FILTER KIT, AND A GASKET KIT. THE VEHIC…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE DRIVE POSITION AFTER BEING PLACED INTO REVERSE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THREE PLATES, A VALVE, FILTER KIT, AND A GASKET KIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN A YEAR LATER AFTER ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING SPEED. SHE DROVE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PAST FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE ORIGINAL REPAIR, BUT THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME DEFECT. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,414 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10275996

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.

21V052000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

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.