2014 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit

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.

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable and failed to function properly, with the brake assist, power steering, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, an attempt was made to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle became inoperable, failed to start, and entered Accessory Mode only. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,576.

NHTSA ID

11706592

Incident

Dec 22, 2025

Mileage

139,576 mi

THE AIRBAG FAULT CODE KEEPS POPPING UP ON THE DASH BOARD. WHEN THE CODE IS READ, IT SAYS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENOR HAS A FAULT. SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR HAS THE SAME FAULT AND THE RECALL EXPLAINS MY EXACT PROBLEM OF MY CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR WAS. THEN PAY EVEN MORE TO HAVE THE CAR FIX. BECAUSE THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY CAR. EVEN IF IT SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE. THE REASON I HAVE FOUND OUT TO BE THE PROBLEM, WHENEVER I DRIVE THE CAR. THE FAULT CODE DOESN'T POP UP TILL THE WIFE SITS IN THE SEAT. THEN THE LIGHT IS POPPING UP EVERY 3 TO 5 MINUTES. IT ALMOST LIKE A LOSE WIRE BUT I HAVE TRY TO MOVE ALL WIRES AND CHECK THE SENOR AND CAN NEVER GET IT TO FAULT TILL SOMEONE SIT IN THE SEAT. THEN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG INDICATOR SAYS THE AIRBAG IS OFF AND NOT ON. I AM WORRY FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND I LOVE THE CAR. BUT DON'T WANT TO PUT THEM IN HARM WAY. ALSO AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, IT ASK FOR A DATE. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY!

NHTSA ID

11320090

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING, HAS RPM'S BUT NO TRANSMISSION, HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD SHUT VEHICLE OFF TO RESET. CONDITION HAPPENS MORE OFTEN AS TIME GOES ON

NHTSA ID

11141069

Incident

Aug 15, 2018

Mileage

85,252 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING, TRANSMISSION LOOSES COMMUNICATION , HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD SHUT OFF VEHICLE TO RESET

NHTSA ID

11141061

Incident

Jun 8, 2018

Mileage

41,511 mi

VEHICLE JUST OUTSIDE OF FACTORY WARRANTY AT 40K MILES INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER STEERING AND GETS A SERVICE STEERING SYSTEM MESSAGE. PER THE VIN THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SO I TOOK IT TO PETERSON GM @ 12300 FAIRVIEW AVE. BOISE. JOHN ASH IN SERVICE CALLED AND SAID IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING GEAR AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $2500.00. I ARGUED THAT THE RECALL STATES UNDER REMEDY "FOR VEHICLES IN THE FIELD, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY." THEY STATE THAT THE RECALL ALSO STATES UNDER STATUS "REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE YET." AND THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED BY GM TO COVER THE COST. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 1-800-222-1020 ON 03-22-16 AND SPOKE WITH TAYLOR. SHE ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED BY GM AT THIS TIME. I AM HESITANT TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT I WOULD BE PURCHASING THE SAME GEAR GM IS ADMITTING TO HAVING A HIGH FAILURE RATE WITH.

NHTSA ID

10850949

Incident

Mar 21, 2016

Mileage

39,800 mi

This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.