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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

What owners actually said

446 reports
71,000 miles · Feb 20, 2015
Air BagsStructure

SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY USED TAHOE A CRACK DEVELOPED NEAR THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, FORMING A "Y" SHAPE WHICH LEAVES A SMALL, SHARP PIECE OF POTENTIAL SHRAPNEL IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. I FEAR THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE POTENTIALLY FATAL OUTCOMES DUE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE BRITTLE PLASTIC BECOMING FLYING SHRAPNEL IN…

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SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY USED TAHOE A CRACK DEVELOPED NEAR THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, FORMING A "Y" SHAPE WHICH LEAVES A SMALL, SHARP PIECE OF POTENTIAL SHRAPNEL IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. I FEAR THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE POTENTIALLY FATAL OUTCOMES DUE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE BRITTLE PLASTIC BECOMING FLYING SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS A WELL REPORTED AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALL GMT900 VEHICLES. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE DASHBOARDS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689685

38,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. WHILE AT LIGHT FELT ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND SHOWED "SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL." TURNED OFF IGNITION AND STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN BUT WITH TROUBLE. BOTH LIGHTS STAY ON AND VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE WITH REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AN…

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WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. WHILE AT LIGHT FELT ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND SHOWED "SERVICE STABILITRAK AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL." TURNED OFF IGNITION AND STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN BUT WITH TROUBLE. BOTH LIGHTS STAY ON AND VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE WITH REDUCED ENGINE SPEED. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND LUCKILY IT HASN'T BEEN WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671465

62,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Seat BeltsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER GRABBED THE SEAT BELT CAUSING IT TO TWIST AROUND THE PASSENGER'S NECK. THE SEAT BELT WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES TO THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER GRABBED THE SEAT BELT CAUSING IT TO TWIST AROUND THE PASSENGER'S NECK. THE SEAT BELT WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR SCRATCHES TO THE NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10671315

51,500 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Structure

THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER FROM THE AIR BAG HAD A CRACK SHOW UP ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SMOOTH ROADWAY WHEN A LOUD POP OCCURRED AND THE CRACKED APPEARED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE DASH, DUE TO THE WARRANTY NOT COVERING THE ISSUE. I DO NOT UNDERSTANDING AF…

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THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER FROM THE AIR BAG HAD A CRACK SHOW UP ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SMOOTH ROADWAY WHEN A LOUD POP OCCURRED AND THE CRACKED APPEARED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE DASH, DUE TO THE WARRANTY NOT COVERING THE ISSUE. I DO NOT UNDERSTANDING AFTER RESEARCHING WHY CHEVROLET HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE DUE TO SO MANY VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME DEFECT. FOR AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THAT IT IS, I WOULD EXPECT A BETTER QUALITY OF PRODUCT. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER TAHOE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650217

37,000 miles · Oct 12, 2014
Structure

INSIDE OF REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS FULL OF WATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644164

55,340 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

I TOOK MY TAHOE TO HERNDON CHEVROLET TO BE DETAILED. WITHIN 24 HRS AFTER THE DETAILING, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASH TOUCHING THE AIRBAG AND TO OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637566

46,595 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,595. UPDATED 10/29/14*LJ UPDATED 4/22/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10633181

57,800 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Air BagsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityStructure

DASH BOARD IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL AS AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE AIR BAG IS KEPT. MY FEAR IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS THE AIR BAG COULD POSSIBLY DEPLOY WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE ACCIDENT OR TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON T…

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DASH BOARD IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL AS AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE AIR BAG IS KEPT. MY FEAR IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS THE AIR BAG COULD POSSIBLY DEPLOY WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE ACCIDENT OR TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE GM MODEL 2007 - 2014 TAHOES, YUKONS AND TRUCKS THAT THE DASHBOARDS ARE CRACKING IN THE SAME AREAS ON ALL OF THE VEHICLES AROUND THE AIR BAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625764

63,138 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Structure

DRIVING AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP, THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL CRACKED AND THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG CRACKED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616921

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2014
Air BagsStructure

I OWN A 2011 TAHOE THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I HAVE 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD; ONE ON THE UPPER LEFT-HAND SIDE OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER RIGHT BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CRACK IS ACTUALLY BRANCHING INTO TWO CRACKS NOW. I HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF …

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I OWN A 2011 TAHOE THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I HAVE 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD; ONE ON THE UPPER LEFT-HAND SIDE OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER RIGHT BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CRACK IS ACTUALLY BRANCHING INTO TWO CRACKS NOW. I HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE IN THE EVENT I AM IN A COLLISION AND MY AIRBAGS NEED TO BE DEPLOYED. THIS CRACKED DASH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN TAHOES FROM AT LEAST 2007 AND NEWER AND I AM CONCERNED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECALL THIS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW FAR BACK IT APPEARS TO BE AFFECTING VEHICLES. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND/OR SHARDS OF SHARP PLASTIC FLYING THROUGH THE AIR IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGERS OR, IN THE EVENT MY AIRBAGS DO DEPLOY, A COMPROMISE TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT DUE TO PUNCTURE. IT IS APPARENT THE DASH IS DEFECTIVE BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR ISSUES REPORTED BY CUSTOMERS. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DASH IS ALREADY COMPROMISED DUE TO THESE CRACKS AND GM NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE SAFETY ISSUES POSED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593337

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.