IllustrationTHE CHROME SURFACE OF THE INSIDE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES PEELED, CAUSING VERY SHARP SURFACES, WHICH CUT OUR HANDS LIKE A RAZOR BLADE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban 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
80–25K
1925–50K
2950–75K
2775–100K
26100–150K
32150K+
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
What owners actually said
292 reportsFOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET GM/CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR MY FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND SINCE THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL OTHER THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LIST ALTHOUGH IT DID RECEIVE THE SAME MANUFACTURED PART AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS, I TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJU…
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FOR THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET GM/CHEVROLET TO PAY FOR MY FAULTY SPEEDOMETER AND SINCE THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL OTHER THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LIST ALTHOUGH IT DID RECEIVE THE SAME MANUFACTURED PART AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS, I TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-#07187A I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED SINCE A: GM SPOKESWOMAN [XXX] - SAID FRIDAY THAT THE AGREEMENT "CLEARS THE SLATE" BETWEEN DELPHI AND GM "AND RESOLVES A CERTAIN GROUP OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTY ISSUES." SHE SAID THE AGREEMENT COVERS AS MANY AS 50 WARRANTY ISSUES; THE SETTLEMENT REFERS TO AT LEAST 43 WARRANTIES. THE MAJOR ISSUE RESOLVED INVOLVES 1.1 MILLION ELECTRONIC PARTS THAT ARE PART OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS, ACCORDING TO A HEAVILY EDITED VERSION OF THE AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS THE ELECTRONIC BRAIN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASH. WITH THE AGREEMENT AND AN IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP WITH DELPHI, GM HOPES TO SAVE $2 BILLION ANNUALLY IN PARTS COSTS. AS DELPHI EXITS SEVERAL BUSINESSES, GM WILL REPRESENT A DIMINISHING SHARE OF ITS REVENUE -- DOWN TO A QUARTER OR LESS THAN $5 BILLION BY 2010. DELPHI ATTORNEY JACK BUTLER SAID THE AGREEMENT SAVES DELPHI "HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL LIABILITY." DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED UNDER THE DEAL, GM WILL RECEIVE $47.5 MILLION TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC PARTS AND DELPHI WILL PROVIDE 1.1 MILLION NEW PARTS AT NO CHARGE THROUGH 2014. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
GAS GAUGE SHOWING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. CONTINUOUSLY SHOWS EMPTY, ALTHOUGH WLL NOT TAKE MORE FUEL. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR AND CONNECTOR CABLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR OF ELEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR AND CONNECTOR CABLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR OF ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
UPON START-UP, PLUME OF SMOKE FROM EXHAUST FOR 5 - 15 SECONDS. ALSO, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, UP TO 1.5 QUARTS PER 500 MILES. *TR
WHILE THIS WAS/IS A USED VEHICLE, AND WHILE THE MILEAGE IS HIGH, THE SHEER FREQUENCY OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT DICTATES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FREQUENTLY OCCURS. FURTHER EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM IS THAT GM AND ITS DEALERS HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO FIX THE ISSUE AS A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS WHAT IS BEING OFFERED AS A SOLUTI…
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WHILE THIS WAS/IS A USED VEHICLE, AND WHILE THE MILEAGE IS HIGH, THE SHEER FREQUENCY OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT DICTATES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FREQUENTLY OCCURS. FURTHER EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM IS THAT GM AND ITS DEALERS HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO FIX THE ISSUE AS A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS WHAT IS BEING OFFERED AS A SOLUTION. I WAS QUOTED BY MY DEALER THAT THE COSTS FOR THIS IS (~)$8,000.00! AS IS THE CASE WITH THE OTHERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS: I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE OIL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED A FEW COMPONENTS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY (AFTER GETTING A LARGE BILL OF COURSE). WE USE THE CAR VERY INFREQUENTLY AND AS SUCH, WITHIN A 100 MILES OF USE, I WAS BACK AT THE DEALER WITH, AGAIN, VERY LOW OIL PRESSURE. THERE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT $8000 OR PERFORM AN OVERHAUL AT 2000+ WITH NO GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. FROM A COST STANDPOINT: THE SUBURBAN IS A $60,000+ VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXABLE/RESOLVABLE, OTHER THAN BY GM ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL $8000. FROM A SAFETY ISSUE, THESE CARS ARE HEAVY, BIG, AND CAN CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE IF THE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED BY SUCH A LARGE ENGINE PROBLEM AND/OR THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN DUE TO THE ENGINE BLOCK FREEZING UP AND/OR SEIZING DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL PRESSURE. NOW, AND ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF GMS REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH ITS IGNITIONS, I THINK THERE IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR THE NHTSA TO TAKE A HARD LOOK INTO THIS, OPEN A FULL INVESTIGATION, AND HOPEFULLY RECTIFY THIS FOR THE HUNDRED (AND POSSIBLY THOUSANDS) OF CONSUMERS AFFECTED AND FORCE GM TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, BOTH WITH RESPECT TO ITS EXISTING/PAST SALES, AS WELL AS ADDRESS ITS FUTURE DESIGNS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT SATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE REMEDY REPAIR FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT SATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE REMEDY REPAIR FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,771.
INTERIOR FRONT DOOR HANDLES PLASTIC CHROME PEELING AND CUTTING HANDS. *JS
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITS A DEAD BATTERY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES OR NONE AT ALL. AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, WE GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND CABLES TESTED. ALL TESTED GOOD. WE ALSO NOTICE THAT A…
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THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITS A DEAD BATTERY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES OR NONE AT ALL. AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, WE GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. WE HAVE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND CABLES TESTED. ALL TESTED GOOD. WE ALSO NOTICE THAT AROUND THE SAME TIME THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING, THAT ENGINE NOISE COULD BE HEARD THROUGH THE VEHICLE SPEAKERS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE STEREO IS ON. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT INTERMITTENT INTERVALS. WE HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN SHOP IN ORDER TO TROUBLESHOOT. PARASITIC DRAW TEST IS NEGATIVE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT CONSTANT. *TR
Official recalls
421V050000 · 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
1EA21002 · 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.