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2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

274 reports with mileage · 172 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 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

211 reports
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117,250 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Unknown Or Other

RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. I NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASH TO THE UPPER LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER PLACE ON THE DASH THAT HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I CANNOT PINPOINT EXACTLY WHEN THE CRACKED HAPPENED. BUT, AFTER DOING SOM…

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RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. I NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASH TO THE UPPER LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER PLACE ON THE DASH THAT HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I CANNOT PINPOINT EXACTLY WHEN THE CRACKED HAPPENED. BUT, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN CERTAIN GMC VEHICLES FOR YEARS 2007-2014. I PERSONALLY KNOW TWO PEOPLE THAT OWN GMC/CHEVY SUVS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT CRACK ON THE TOP AREA OF THE DASH. I AM MAINLY CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT MY AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY, THERE COULD BE SHRAPNEL BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION AND SEVERITY OF THE CRACK. ALSO, THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS CRACK WOULD AT ALL INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #11024626

71,000 miles · Sep 19, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE ENTIRE DASH IN MY 2011 CHEV TAHOE IS IN DISINTEGRATION. DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS IT IS CRACKING INTO MANY PIECES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS UNTIL 2016. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THIS FACTORY DEFECT IN MATERIALS?? THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND IS GETTING WORSE AND CRACKING ACRO…

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THE ENTIRE DASH IN MY 2011 CHEV TAHOE IS IN DISINTEGRATION. DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS IT IS CRACKING INTO MANY PIECES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS UNTIL 2016. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THIS FACTORY DEFECT IN MATERIALS?? THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND IS GETTING WORSE AND CRACKING ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. MY SON HAS SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 2012 GMC YUKON. GM WANTED $2000.00 TO REPLACE DASH UNIT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IF DASH COMES APART WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11024204

60,000 miles · Sep 13, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #11023320

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2017
StructureUnknown Or Other

THE DASH BOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. WHEN ASKED A DEALER ABOUT IT THEY SAID THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR CHEVYS. IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMATION IS POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET, WHY WOULD CHEVROLET COMPROMISE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ALSO THE SIDE TRIM IS FALLING OFF

NHTSA ODI #11022433

50,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES (JOINT NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG & SEVERAL PLACES ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE). WE'RE CONCERNED THAT A FRONT END IMPACT ACCIDENT COULD CAUSE A PIECE TO SHEAR OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO EITHER THE AIRBAGS OR THE PASSANGERS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT. DASHBOARD HAS ALREADY BEEN RE…

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DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES (JOINT NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG & SEVERAL PLACES ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE). WE'RE CONCERNED THAT A FRONT END IMPACT ACCIDENT COULD CAUSE A PIECE TO SHEAR OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO EITHER THE AIRBAGS OR THE PASSANGERS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT. DASHBOARD HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT OUR EXPENSE. VEHICLE HAS MOSTLY BEEN GARAGE KEPT.

NHTSA ODI #11021505

48,000 miles · Aug 25, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE 2011. IT WAS REPLACED BY GENERAL MOTORS AT ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET IN SUNRISE, FL IN APRIL OF 2014 DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE MATERIAL CAUSING THE DASHBOARDS TO CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. NOW THE NEW DASHBOARD THAT WAS INSTALLED …

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THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE 2011. IT WAS REPLACED BY GENERAL MOTORS AT ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET IN SUNRISE, FL IN APRIL OF 2014 DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE MATERIAL CAUSING THE DASHBOARDS TO CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. NOW THE NEW DASHBOARD THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE IN 2014 IS CRACKING IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE ORIGINAL DASHBOARD. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM STATING IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. WITH THE DASHBOARD CRACKING, IT IS CAUSING SHARP LOOSE PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT CAN IMPALE THE OCCUPANTS IN A SUDDEN STOP AND/OR COLLISION. THE PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED DUE TO WEATHER EXPOSURE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT WITH ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND LAWSUITS ARE PENDING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES DUE TO THE PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11019770

85,000 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASH HAS CRACKED IN 4 SEPARATE PLACES. ONE CRACK IS AT THE AIR BAG, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ISSUES WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OR DEBRIS FROM DASH BREAKING OFF IF AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #11018901

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

DASH BOARD CRACK. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IT HAS CRACKED AGAIN AND COME LOOSE FROM THE PANEL UNDER THE WINDSHEILD.

NHTSA ODI #11018801

79,473 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ IS GARAGE KEPT. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING IN MARCH 2017 FROM UNKNOWN INJURY/ACCIDENT AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD MAKES NOISE AND "FLAPS" REPEATEDLY. WHEN THIS BEGAN, MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES AND NOW MY CAR IN AUGUST 2017 HAS 85,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11018633

81,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Unknown Or Other

GOT INTO MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ ON A SPRING AFTERNOON, STARTED THE TRUCK, PUT MY TRUCK IN DRIVE, STARTED MOVING AND HEARD A VIBRATING NOISE. LOOKED AROUND MY DASH AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. WHICH HAS NOW TURNED INTO 2 CRACKS ON MY DASH. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN SO FAST? NOW I AM READING ONLINE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM …

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GOT INTO MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ ON A SPRING AFTERNOON, STARTED THE TRUCK, PUT MY TRUCK IN DRIVE, STARTED MOVING AND HEARD A VIBRATING NOISE. LOOKED AROUND MY DASH AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. WHICH HAS NOW TURNED INTO 2 CRACKS ON MY DASH. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN SO FAST? NOW I AM READING ONLINE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN MODELS. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING HANDLED BY GM? NICE TRUCK WHEN I FIRST GOT IT BUT NOW I AM THINKING ABOUT TRADING IN FOR ANYTHING BUT THIS. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK 4 YEARS AND HAVE A CRACKED DASH AND SMELLS OF MOLD THAT MY CAR DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU GM.

NHTSA ODI #11014262

Official recalls

5

21V050000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

11V339000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 28, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 6, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.