2008 Chevrolet Suburban

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 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH, she started to choke and was unable to breathe, which resulted in the driver fully colliding into a cement wall. The driver sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact child was taken to the local trauma facility. The contact stated that all of the air bags located in the vehicle were deployed during the incident. A police officer was driving behind during the incident and assisted immediately after the crash. The contact was concerned that the air bags deployed violently, causing a fracture to the driver's neck, which resulted in an emergency trigonometry on the scene, who cut the trachea. The driver suffered injuries and underwent multiple operations due to the incident. The driver sustained lung and trachea injuries from the incident. A police report was filed, but the report number was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After the incident occurred, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11664687

Incident

Apr 13, 2025

Mileage

154,000 mi

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA ID

11604238

Incident

Jul 24, 2024

Took my SUV for an airbag recall and when it was completed my truck AirBag light was left on. My truck did not have that light on when I arrived at the location. Dealer mentioned not knowing what to do about it. I made a complaint and nothing was done by the dealer.

NHTSA ID

11560992

Incident

May 6, 2022

The dash board in the vehicle is cracked and none is able to fix problems. The engine misfire and to figure out the problem cost lost of money. The lifters goes bad on vehicle. Suspension works always need.

NHTSA ID

11536434

Incident

May 16, 2021

I have a 2008 Suburban. Beginning in August, there was an accident on the highway and traffic was backed up. I was idling, waiting for the traffic to move, like every other car on the hightway and the suburban just shut off and said "Stablitrak off." It happened numerous times after this, just when idling. I took to the dealership I bought it at. They charged a ton to fix something but it didn't' take care of the problem. It's gotten so much worse. I took back a few months ago and they fixed it again, but didn't charge us this time. Now it's so much worse. Anytime I'm iding, just picking my daughter up at school or just stopped at a red light, a warning comes across, "service stabilitrak" or "stablitrak off." and the car immediately shuts off. It usually restarts in 5 minutes or so and I can usually make it to my destination as long as I don't idle again. Monday I was picking up my daughter and it stalled in the parking lot at her high school with tons of cars behind me- I waited, restarted it as I have done in the past. But then, going down this steep high school hill, the car shut off, lost steering and brakes wouldn't even work. I had teen drivers ahead of me that I nearly crashed into, teens in my car. This is not ok. We took it back to the dealership and now they say it's an electrical problem. I've read a ton online forums that this is something that happens with a lot of other people. I'm afraid to drive my car. I'm also not sure what to get fixed because these other people have spent tons of money, just like me with no results.

NHTSA ID

11521701

Incident

May 8, 2023

Severe crackin of dashboard in multiple places. Poses a risk to passengers in the event of a collision.

NHTSA ID

11501649

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

Dashboard cracked By itself

NHTSA ID

11486077

Incident

Sep 23, 2022

TPS throttle position system. I’ve had issues since 2013 to present time. The car accelerates and decelerates on its own. I have replaced more than once car is not safe to drive. Need help asap

NHTSA ID

11459618

Incident

Nov 16, 2013

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.