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2010 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 41 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

53 reports
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123,000 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL - NOT ONLY AM I UNDER THE RECALL FOR MY AIRBAGS THAT THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR YET ON MY CAR, BUT NOW I WALK IN TO THE GARAGE TODAY AND MY DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG AND UP OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS. HOW DANGEROUS IS THIS NOW THAT THE DASH HAS CRACKED, I HAVE A CRAP AIR BA…

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TAKATA RECALL - NOT ONLY AM I UNDER THE RECALL FOR MY AIRBAGS THAT THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR YET ON MY CAR, BUT NOW I WALK IN TO THE GARAGE TODAY AND MY DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG AND UP OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS. HOW DANGEROUS IS THIS NOW THAT THE DASH HAS CRACKED, I HAVE A CRAP AIR BAG AND NOW I'M SERIOUSLY THINKING MY FAMILY IS AT RISK ON THIS SHOULD WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THAT DASH WILL BREAK INTO SEVERAL PIECES SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN AND CAUSE MORE INJURY.... GM NEEDS TO FIX BOTH THESE ISSUES ASAP..... A RECALL IS A MUST!!

NHTSA ODI #10916772

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2016
Air BagsStructure

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE IS…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO CRACKS AT THE LOCATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10898046

48,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Air Bags

YET ANOTHER SEVERE DASH CRACK COMPLAINT TO FILE WITH THE MANY. CRACKED DASH THAT COULD POSSIBLY PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #10876305

78,000 miles · Jun 6, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES BY THE AIRBAGS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE WILL BE SHARDS OF PLASTIC FLYING AT ME/MY FAMILY SHOULD AN AIRBAG DEPLOY. THE CRACKS ARE GROWING AND HAPPEN AT A STANDSTILL AND WHILE DRIVING. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2007-2013 DASHES BECAUSE THERE IS A FACEBOOK GROUP WITH OVER 400…

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THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES BY THE AIRBAGS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE WILL BE SHARDS OF PLASTIC FLYING AT ME/MY FAMILY SHOULD AN AIRBAG DEPLOY. THE CRACKS ARE GROWING AND HAPPEN AT A STANDSTILL AND WHILE DRIVING. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2007-2013 DASHES BECAUSE THERE IS A FACEBOOK GROUP WITH OVER 4000 MEMBERS WHO OWN GM PRODUCTS (YUKON, TAHOE, SILVERADO ETC) THEY ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!!

NHTSA ODI #10872870

100,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL, MY VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND LOOKED AND MY DASH CRACKED. THE CRACK CAN INTERFERE WITH MY AIRBAGS DUE TO PLASTIC BEING CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #10863338

110,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Air BagsStructureInjury

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I OWN A 2010 GMC YUKON. I AS WELL AS OTHERS HAVE A CRACKED DASHBOARD, ONE NEAR THE DEPLOYMENT OF MY AIRBAG AND ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSIDERING GMC'S INTEREST IN THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF THEIR VEHICLES. IT IS A SHAME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL BECAUSE OF SUCH REASON AS DEATH! T…

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I OWN A 2010 GMC YUKON. I AS WELL AS OTHERS HAVE A CRACKED DASHBOARD, ONE NEAR THE DEPLOYMENT OF MY AIRBAG AND ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSIDERING GMC'S INTEREST IN THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF THEIR VEHICLES. IT IS A SHAME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL BECAUSE OF SUCH REASON AS DEATH! THERE IS A HUGE CONCERN THAT THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKS CAN ABSOLUTELY CAUSE HE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND GETTING YOUR HAND CUT AND INFECTION IS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY. NOT TO MENTION THE ATTENTION THAT THE CRACKED DASH IS. WHEN SOMEONE IS WALKING BY IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND LOOKS BAD FOR GMC. THIS HAS BEEN BROADCAST-ED ON THE MEMPHIS, TN NEWS LATELY AND ONE DASH OUT OF PLENTY HAS BEEN PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS I DO PLAN ON GOING TO THE NEWS AND TAKEN FURTHER ACTION. I WOULD WANT TO THINK THAT GMC WOULD WANT TO HAVE HIGHER STANDARDS AND BE COMPLIANT WITH THIS KNOWN, IGNORED AND ON GOING ISSUE! WAITING UNTIL DAMAGE IS DONE IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO. FIXING THIS ISSUE IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND GMC SHOULD STAND WITH THAT. I WILL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE VERY SOON. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10819680

94,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Air BagsStructure

THE DASHBOARDS OF 2007-2013 CHEVY, GMC, CADILLAC SUV'S AND TRUCKS BECOME CRACKED DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THEM. THEY IN TURN RATTLE SEVERELY. THE MAIN CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN UPON AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES FROM THE DASH CAN PUNCTURE THE AIR BAG RENDERING IT USELESS AND ALSO PIECES FROM THE DASH CAN BEC…

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THE DASHBOARDS OF 2007-2013 CHEVY, GMC, CADILLAC SUV'S AND TRUCKS BECOME CRACKED DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THEM. THEY IN TURN RATTLE SEVERELY. THE MAIN CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN UPON AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, PIECES FROM THE DASH CAN PUNCTURE THE AIR BAG RENDERING IT USELESS AND ALSO PIECES FROM THE DASH CAN BECOME PROJECTILES CAUSING SEVERE INJURY AS WELL. GM HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER IDENTICAL CASES ON THE INTERNET ON VARIOUS GM FORUMS ALL STATING THE SAME THING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!

NHTSA ODI #10779288

39,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Air BagsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2010 YUKON DENALI WITH NOW, 42000 MILES THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 WITH ABOUT 39000 MILES--- I DONT DRIVE BUT 5000 MILES A YEAR AND MY VEHICLE IS KEPT MOSTLY IN THE GARAGE AND IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I NOTICED ONE CRACK NEAR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG- THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER A NEWER, LARGER CRACK BEGAN FORMING NEAR THE DRI…

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I HAVE A 2010 YUKON DENALI WITH NOW, 42000 MILES THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 WITH ABOUT 39000 MILES--- I DONT DRIVE BUT 5000 MILES A YEAR AND MY VEHICLE IS KEPT MOSTLY IN THE GARAGE AND IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I NOTICED ONE CRACK NEAR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG- THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER A NEWER, LARGER CRACK BEGAN FORMING NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD OVER THE SPEDOMETER. I HAVE THE GMPP PLAN WHICH IS GM'S HIGHEST EXTENDED WARRANTY AND COST ABOUT $2500. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY DASHBOARD ISNT COVERED UNDER MY GMPP WARRANTY BECUASE THE DASH IS CONSIDERED "TRIM" IVE CONTACTED GM NUMEROUS TIMES HOPING TO GET A MORE WORKABLE CSR TO ASSIST IN MONETARY ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING THE DASHBOARD REPLACED--- I RECEIVE LITTLE TO NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AFTER TWO FAILED ATTEMPTS. THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH THESE GM VEHCILES AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GM -- THEY KNOW ABOUT THEIR SHORTCOMINGS AND WE, AS A CLASS ACTION ARE LIMITED BY OUR OPTIONS AS WE SLOWLY WORK UP TO CLASS ACTION STATUS. I WOULD LIKE A FULL INVESTIGATION ON THESE CRACKED DASHBOARDS- BOTH WHY THEY CRACKED AND IF THEY KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND NEVER TRIED TO FIX THEM AFTER THE FACT OF KNOWING [XXX] ADAM PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC

NHTSA ODI #10762538

84,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Air Bags

I HEARD A POP ONE MORNING WHEN GETTING INTO MY VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE CORNERS 2 FRONT CORNERS OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI #10760445

79,810 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Air Bags

OUR 2010 GMC YUKON RECENTLY DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IF THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY, HARD PLASTIC DASH MATERIAL COULD INJURY PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT GM DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ADDR…

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OUR 2010 GMC YUKON RECENTLY DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IF THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY, HARD PLASTIC DASH MATERIAL COULD INJURY PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT GM DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ADDRESS. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, WHICH HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE SERVICE LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #10760115

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

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.

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.