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2008 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

113 reports with mileage · 100 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 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

213 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10855514

70,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE, ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY TRACK DISENGAGE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE, ALL FOUR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY TRACK DISENGAGE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SPILLED AND CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS TO FAIL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854329

98,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

I'M AM BRINGING UP A SAFETY CONCERN IN MY VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I OWN A 2008 SUBURBAN AND RECENTLY THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED RIGHT NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I HAVE CALLED THE CHEVROLET CORPORATE TO VOICE MY CONCERNS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHIN…

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I'M AM BRINGING UP A SAFETY CONCERN IN MY VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I OWN A 2008 SUBURBAN AND RECENTLY THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED RIGHT NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I HAVE CALLED THE CHEVROLET CORPORATE TO VOICE MY CONCERNS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM REALLY CONCERNED IF MY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYS IT WILL CAUSE THE DASH BOARD TO BECOME A PROJECTILE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND THIS IS THE SECOND CHEVROLET THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME PLACE. THE FIRST VEHICLE WAS A 07 CHEVROLET TAHOE, WHICH CHEVROLET/GM FULLY REPAIRED. I HAD TO TRADE MY 07 TAHOE BECAUSE MY FAMILY GOT BIGGER AND GOT THE SUBURBAN NOW IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. I AM REALLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILY'S WHO OWN A CHEVROLET WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10852967

189,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKES DO NOT CATCH EVERY TIME. HAD THEM REPLACED BUT STILL HAVE ISSUES WHERE IT SEEMS THAT WHEN YOUR PRESSING THEM TO SLOW OR STOP IT TAKES THEM A WHILE TO CATCH. SAW WHERE EARLIER MODELS HAD BRAKE LINE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10825319

135,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Engine

2008 SUBURBAN 135K. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL, ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. DEALER CHECKED ENGINE TOLD NEW ENGINE NEEDED. I WAS TOLD A COMMON PROBLEM FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTED FAR TO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ENGINE DESIGN. IT SHOU…

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2008 SUBURBAN 135K. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL, ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL. DEALER CHECKED ENGINE TOLD NEW ENGINE NEEDED. I WAS TOLD A COMMON PROBLEM FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTED FAR TO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN ENGINE DESIGN. IT SHOULD NOT REQUIRE DEATHS BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS INVESTIGATED. LIKE SO MANY OTHERS REPAIR COST IS AN UNEXPECTED BURDEN. GM RESPONSE THE VEHICLE HIGH MILEAGE AND AGE ARE A FACTOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A RANG OF MILES. GM SHOULD RECALL THE 5.3L ENGINE AND REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE FIRST ISSUE WITH VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. GM HAS INDICATED 2 QUARTS OF OIL BEING BURNED IN 3000 MILES IS NORMAL. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER. GM SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY BAIL OUT. NO PRIOR WARNING WAS GIVEN, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR LOW OIL INDICATION , NO LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #10824881

121,600 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THIS STARTED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. SUDDENLY MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON ALONG WITH BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO READ STABILITRAK OFF AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL IN READOUT BELOW. IMMEDIATELY MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND DECELERATED SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF ROAD AS TO NOT GET RAN OVER BY TR…

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THIS STARTED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. SUDDENLY MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON ALONG WITH BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO READ STABILITRAK OFF AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL IN READOUT BELOW. IMMEDIATELY MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND DECELERATED SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF ROAD AS TO NOT GET RAN OVER BY TRAFFIC. READ MANUAL SAID TO TURN OFF AND RESTART. DID THIS AND ALL WAS GOOD FOR ANOTHER MILE THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON AND OFF FOR LAST 12 MILES BEFORE I COULD GET HOME. UPON TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP TODAY THEY CAME BACK SAYING NOTHING ABOUT THESE CODES BUT THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE CODE AND OIL LOW?? SO NOW I HAVE GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING. UPON ASKING ABOUT THE INITIAL PROBLEM I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH APPARENTLY THE WHOLE TRUCK PLATFORM AT GM. THIS PROBLEM IS POSTED ALL OVER INTERNET WITH CARS EVEN SHUTTING OFF AND BRAKES LOCKING UP AND THE BIG PROBLEM IS NO DEALERSHIP KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. CHARGE PEOPLE A BUNCH OF MONEY TO FIX NUMEROUS THINGS THEY KNOW WILL NOT FIX ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL ON 2007- AT LEAST 2010 FROM WHAT I CAN SEE FROM DATA THAT IS OUT THERE. I WILL BE SELLING MY TRUCK AFTER THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY KIDS IN IT. I'M DIE HARD CHEVY GUY WHO HAS A 2003 SUBURBAN WITH 400000+ MILES ON IT WITH VERY LITTLE ISSUES IN ALL THESE YEARS. PLEASE MAKE GM FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10820807

80,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD HAS A SERIES OF MAJOR CRACKS FORWARD OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A NUMBER OF CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND IS NOW QUITE "FLIMSY" AND VIBRATES AND/OR BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER TIME. WE HAVE NOT PHYSICALLY BEEN IN THE VEHICLE WHEN…

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THE DASHBOARD HAS A SERIES OF MAJOR CRACKS FORWARD OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A NUMBER OF CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND IS NOW QUITE "FLIMSY" AND VIBRATES AND/OR BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER TIME. WE HAVE NOT PHYSICALLY BEEN IN THE VEHICLE WHEN A CRACK FORMED OR PROPAGATED. IT APPEARS THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD LIKELY SHATTER UPON IMPACT THUS THROWING SHRAPNEL THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10819969

28,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO DON RINGLER CHEVROLET IN TEMPLE, TX AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED NOR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY ENTIRE DASH MOVES WHEN YOU TOUCH IT AND I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING OR WON'T DEPLOY IF I A…

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I HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO DON RINGLER CHEVROLET IN TEMPLE, TX AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED NOR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY ENTIRE DASH MOVES WHEN YOU TOUCH IT AND I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING OR WON'T DEPLOY IF I AM IN A WRECK. THESE CRACKS HAVE INCREASED IN SIZE OVER TIME. THE SMALL ONE IS THE NEWEST CRACK THAT APPEARED OVER CHRISTMAS. I FIRST DISCOVERED THE CRACK RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN FEBRUARY 2010. AT THE TIME, MY CAR WAS ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS OLD. I SPECIAL ORDERED MY SUBURBAN IN THE SUMMER OF 2008.

NHTSA ODI #10818210

48,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND BROKEN AT PASS. AIRBAG AND CENTER OF THE DASH, AND IS REALLY BROKEN ABOVE THE CONSOLE AREA.

NHTSA ODI #10818074

50,000 miles · Nov 26, 2015
Structure

TWO LARGE CRACKS IN DASH, ONE OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER WHERE DASH MEETS AIRBAG. I NOTICED A VERY SMALL CRACK APPROX FOUR YEARS AGO AND HAS NOW GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, I AM JUST ONE MORE COMPLAINING OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH…

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TWO LARGE CRACKS IN DASH, ONE OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER WHERE DASH MEETS AIRBAG. I NOTICED A VERY SMALL CRACK APPROX FOUR YEARS AGO AND HAS NOW GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, I AM JUST ONE MORE COMPLAINING OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH POSSIBLE SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10807089

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.