NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
213 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 24, 2020
Air Bags
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CHEVY SUBURBAN WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING FOR A LONG WHILE ON WHEN THERE WILL BE A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL AND EVERYTIME I CHECK THERE IS NOTHING NEW STATED. THIS DEFECT DEALS WITH THE AIR BAG. A FUNCTION OF THE CAR THAT DEALS WITH SAFETY. I THINK IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG WITH THERE …
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THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CHEVY SUBURBAN WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING FOR A LONG WHILE ON WHEN THERE WILL BE A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL AND EVERYTIME I CHECK THERE IS NOTHING NEW STATED. THIS DEFECT DEALS WITH THE AIR BAG. A FUNCTION OF THE CAR THAT DEALS WITH SAFETY. I THINK IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG WITH THERE BEING NO INFORMATION PUT OUT ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THEIR HARD EARN MONEY ON THE PURCHASE OF AN EXPENSIVE PRODUCT AND THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE MANUFACTURE. THEIR IS A BIG CRACK IN THE DASH BOARD THAT ALSO LOOKS TERRIBLE. PLEASE GET ON THIS COMPANY ABOUT NOT TAKING THE TIME TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA ODI #11301521
189,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
Suspension
STABILIZER BAR BUSHING BROKE LOOSE FOR THE FRAME MOUNT CAUSING STABILIZER BAR TO HANG ON ONE SIDE(PASSENGER). HAVE TO HAVE IT WELDED AND FABRICATED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE.THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HEARD A NOISE THEN I RAN OVER SOMETHING WHICH WAS THE BUSHING AN CLAMP.
NHTSA ODI #11301498
123,000 miles · Jan 10, 2020
Air BagsElectrical System
DRIVING WHEN YOU REACH ABOUT 30-35 MPH ALL THE LOCKS START CYCLING UP AND DOWN, ALL THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE, THERE IS A THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE. WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP AND RUNS FINE AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T DO ANYTHING LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT COMES BACK ON AND STARTS BACK UP.…
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DRIVING WHEN YOU REACH ABOUT 30-35 MPH ALL THE LOCKS START CYCLING UP AND DOWN, ALL THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE, THERE IS A THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE. WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP AND RUNS FINE AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T DO ANYTHING LIKE THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT COMES BACK ON AND STARTS BACK UP. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS 01/09/20 BUT THIS STARTED IN 12/2019. THE VEHICLE HAS A BRAND NEW ENGINE WHICH ONLY HAS ABOUT 1,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASH AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
NHTSA ODI #11298326
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2020
Air Bags
I OWN A VEHICLE WITH TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE 2017 AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE TAKATA HAS FILED BANKRUPTCY AND GM DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION OR REMEDY APPARENTLY FOR THE RECALL!!! I NEED MY VEHICLE RECALL TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY! WHO'S TO KNOW IF MY AIRBAG INFLATORS ARE …
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I OWN A VEHICLE WITH TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS. THEY HAVE BEEN UNDER RECALL SINCE 2017 AND THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE TAKATA HAS FILED BANKRUPTCY AND GM DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION OR REMEDY APPARENTLY FOR THE RECALL!!! I NEED MY VEHICLE RECALL TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY! WHO'S TO KNOW IF MY AIRBAG INFLATORS ARE COMPROMISED AND I AM ANGRY THAT GM WILL NOT STEP UP AND FIND A SOLUTION AND PAY FOR THE RECALL!! MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY FAMILY IS AT RISK!! WHY HASNT THIS RECALL ON AIRBAG INFLATORS BEEN REMEDIED?? ITS BEEN 3 YEARS! IT'S RIDICULOUS AND I AM ANGRY THAT GM DOES NOT VALUE THE SAFETY OF IT'S CUSTOMERS BY ENSURING SWIFT ACTION ON RECALLS!
NHTSA ODI #11292537
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2019
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) AND CALLED OURISMAN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF ALEXANDRIA (1800 OLD RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22303, (571) 366-8047). THE CONTACT WAS INFORME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) AND CALLED OURISMAN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF ALEXANDRIA (1800 OLD RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22303, (571) 366-8047). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11286417
183,789 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
DASH HAS CRACKED BY AIRBAG. ENGINE JUST STOPS WHILE DRIVING AND COMES RIGHT BACK ON AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF WON'T START NEEDS TO SIT AWHILE THEN IT STARTS AND RADIO N TEMP PANEL GOES TO DEFAULT.
NHTSA ODI #11277990
60,000 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Air Bags
AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A RECALL NOTICE, THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO I'VE STILL NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE.
NHTSA ODI #11271763
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2019
Air Bags
HAD SAFETY RECALL GM # 49152 ON AIRBAG IT IS TO LONG GM NOT REPLACED THE AIRBAG WILL SAVE MILLIONS PER YEAR TIME TO GET IT DONE
NHTSA ODI #11271382
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2019
Air Bags
I RECEIVED A WRITTEN NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS AR RISK FOR AIR BAG FAILURE WITH ONSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT MY DEALER TO SCHEDULE TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. I DID AS INSTRUCTED, AND WAS ADVISED I WOULD BE CONTACTED FOR A SCHEDULED VISIT. I RECEIVED NO FOLLOW UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS R…
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I RECEIVED A WRITTEN NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS AR RISK FOR AIR BAG FAILURE WITH ONSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT MY DEALER TO SCHEDULE TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. I DID AS INSTRUCTED, AND WAS ADVISED I WOULD BE CONTACTED FOR A SCHEDULED VISIT. I RECEIVED NO FOLLOW UP. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS REQESTING REPAIRS. I AM TOLD BY MANAGERS THERE THAT "NO FIX IS AVAILABLE". I NOTE REPORTS THAT OVER 1 MILLION VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. IT SEEMS THAT THE GM LOCAL DEALER IS EITHER UNIMFORMED, OR DELIBERATELY MISLEADING.
NHTSA ODI #11269039
182,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN I HAD HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM MY DASH AREA OF MY 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING LOOSE OR THAT WHAT CAUSE THIS NOISE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, I NOTICED THE NOISE AGAIN AND NOTICED MY DASH WAS CRACKING IN TWO DIFFERENT PLAC…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN I HAD HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM MY DASH AREA OF MY 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING LOOSE OR THAT WHAT CAUSE THIS NOISE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE, I NOTICED THE NOISE AGAIN AND NOTICED MY DASH WAS CRACKING IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. ONE CRACK BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THE OTHER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GAUGE HUMP ON THE DASH.THE CRACK BY THE AIRBAG IS ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF. AND THE ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG AND STILL GROWING. I TRIED TO SEAL THE CRACKS WITH SILICONE, AND THAT DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11267863
Official recalls
4Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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