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2009 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

117 reports with mileage · 117 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 122 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

20 reports
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179,164 miles · Jul 3, 2017
Electrical System

FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. CAN PULL IGNITION KEY OUT AFTER STARTING IGNITION AND WITH IT RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #11002795

72,000 miles · Jun 22, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ABNORMAL SMOKE AND BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OPEN THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE FUSE BOX MELTED AND COVERED IN BLACK. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ABNORMAL SMOKE AND BURNING ODOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OPEN THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE FUSE BOX MELTED AND COVERED IN BLACK. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER ROBERTSON'S GMC TRUCK LOCATED AT 2680 CRANBERRY HWY, WAREHAM, MA 02571 WHERE THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND CIRCUIT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V240000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11000582

65,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY TRUCK DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED AND HOME (2 MILES). MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I AM READING A CODE U0191, WHICH REFERS TO THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A BATTERY BECAUSE I HAD A BATTERY DRAINING ISSUE AND WAS HAVING TO JUMP IT IF IT SAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY TRUCK WILL NOT …

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MY TRUCK DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED AND HOME (2 MILES). MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I AM READING A CODE U0191, WHICH REFERS TO THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A BATTERY BECAUSE I HAD A BATTERY DRAINING ISSUE AND WAS HAVING TO JUMP IT IF IT SAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY TRUCK WILL NOT START AT THIS TIME. AFTER DOING SOME CHECKING, BOTH MY FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FLOW MODULE FUSES ARE HOT EVEN WITH THE TRUCK IGNITION OFF. WHICH WOULD INDICATE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER SOME RESEARCH , I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL THAT DESCRIBES THE EXACT ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOESN'T COME UP IN THE RECALL. RECALL BULLETIN # 14515B . I GUESS WHAT I AM ASKING IS WHY WASN'T MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? APPARENTLY THIS IS AFFECTING MORE VEHICLES THAT WHAT THE RECALL INCLUDED.

NHTSA ODI #10966135

73,000 miles · Jan 30, 2017
Electrical System

ALL DOOR LOCKS ARE INOPERATIVE. THEY WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH EITHER THE KEY OF THE DOOR LOCK BUTTONS. JUST FOUND THIS WEBSITE-HENCE DELAY IN REPORTING, DID CONTACT DEALERSHIP-COST OF REPAIR IS ASTRONOMICAL

NHTSA ODI #10948568

53,843 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,843....UPDATED 05/19/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG SDM MODULE WAS CORRODED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED UNDER THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/2/2017*JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10860519

85,000 miles · Mar 23, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER PROBLEMS THAT STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE. FIRST, MY SPEAKERS GO OFF AND ON AS THEY PLEASE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SPEAKER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HITTING BUMPS OR ANYTHING ELSE. SECOND, MY POWER LOOKS HAVE GONE OUT. MY KEY F…

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I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER PROBLEMS THAT STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE. FIRST, MY SPEAKERS GO OFF AND ON AS THEY PLEASE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SPEAKER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HITTING BUMPS OR ANYTHING ELSE. SECOND, MY POWER LOOKS HAVE GONE OUT. MY KEY FOB WILL STILL WORK THEM AND THEY STILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WHEN TRUCK IS MOVED BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE. BUT THE BUTTONS ON THE DOOR DO NOT WORK. I'VE REPLACED ALL THE FUSES, AND STILL, NOTHING. THIRD, MY CRUISE CONTROL IS GOING OUT. ON A LONG DRIVE I USED IT FOR HALF AND THEN THE OTHER HALF IT WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO COME BACK ON. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WORKED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701208

40,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WON'T LOCK AND UNLOCK. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ONE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM AT MY COST. NOW A SECOND LOCK WON'T FUNCTION. THIS IS WELL KNOWN BY GM. THEY REFUSE TO RECALL IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO REPAIR THESE DOOR LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572929

65,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS BEGUN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON MY VEHICLE TO FAIL, THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE GM MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS ACTUATORS. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ALL DOORS WHEN DRIVEN AND UNLOCKS WHEN STOPPED HOWEVER THE FAULTY…

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MY DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS BEGUN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON MY VEHICLE TO FAIL, THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE GM MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS ACTUATORS. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS ALL DOORS WHEN DRIVEN AND UNLOCKS WHEN STOPPED HOWEVER THE FAULTY ACTUATOR DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK OR UNLOCK. THESE ACTUATORS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BEING DEFECTIVE AND GM IS AWARE OF IT BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE FAULTY ACTUATOR EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE LITERALLY REPLACED THOUSANDS OF THESE UNITS. THESE FAULTY ACTUATORS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT A DOOR COULD FAIL TO UNLOCK EFFECTIVELY TRAPPING THE OCCUPANTS. THE FAULTY ACTUATORS ARE ALSO A SECURITY CONCERN BECAUSE THEY COULD FAIL TO SECURE THE VEHICLE ALLOWING ANYONE ACCESS TO IT'S CONTENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543798

83,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVESHAFT, CAUSING THE WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE AND THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVESHAFT, CAUSING THE WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS LOCATION AND REPLACED THE DAMAGED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10531827

21,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO OFF AND REMOVING IT FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN ON. WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO OFF AND REMOVING IT FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN ON. WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10347306

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.

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, 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 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, 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."

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 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

18V267000 · Equipment

Apr 26, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

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

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

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.