2013 Chevrolet Tahoe

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.

Odometer Fraud. The contact intended to purchase a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the odometer reading displayed 88,000 miles; however, the Carfax history report provided by O'Reilly Auto Parts listed the mileage at 162,000.

NHTSA ID

11749051

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

Mileage

162,000 mi

Dealer has advised that replacement of airbag will result in damage to interior parts and trim and that replacement parts are not available and that the dealer will not be responsible for replacement and repair of damage. I have refused the warranty replacement until a dealer can be located that will not damage car interior

NHTSA ID

11679387

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

One day I was driving normal and my engine light and two other lights came on. It dropped my speed under 30mph and I couldn't pass the gas. It said reduced engine power, service stabilitrak and service traction. I immediately took it to auto zone then placed it in the shop at the dealership. They had my truck for almost 2 months and finally said they fixed it. It ran ok for a month or so. I was so scared to drive because it does it randomly. Boom it happen again now im frustrated because what is the problem. Called shop they said bring it back they will have a new person look at it. They had it for a month again. Paid more money. Then boom a month later the same thing. So at this point im calling no one is answering they ignored me so I called the customer service on the truck to complain. I had to get rentals and everything with the same problem it is over a year later. No answer and nobody called back nothing. I parked my truck for months and yesterday June 24th the lights came on again. I have heard alot of my friends and family say they have a chevy vehicle and they did/do the same thing.

NHTSA ID

11669335

Incident

Apr 5, 2024

I have a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. It is one of the thousands of which the plastic dash has cracked into pieces.My concern is that the loose plastic will hurt someone if the airbag is deployed. GM Should have never used such flimsy plastic on the dashes of so many vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11666122

Incident

Jun 10, 2025

My dashboard has cracked into pieces, material used for dashboard was no good.

NHTSA ID

11653104

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

my dash is cracked and rattles really bad when driving and sounds like pieces breaking, when i hit bumps in road you can see the dash move and bounce and poses a safety risk if in an accident and airbags go off the pressure can further break dash and send pieces of sharp plastic in the faces of passengers, there is thousands of complaints online and social media about the dashes of chevy and gmc trucks and suvs cracking and in several cases totally breaking apart into pieces due to the faulty cheap materials used to make these dashes. this is a potetial serious and lethal defect if in an a accident and these pieces of plastic go flying into people like shrapnel.

NHTSA ID

11597849

Incident

Jun 30, 2024

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON A RECALL FOR AIR BAG SAFETY CONCERN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPLAINED THAT MY LOCAL DEALERS REFUSES TO REPLACE THIS ITEM. EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I KEEP GETTING NOTICES OF THE RECALL BUT WHAT GOOD IS IT WHEN GM AND THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. IF YOU CONTACT THEM, YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY TIMES IV'E CALLED THEM AND COMPLAINED. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO EXCEPT WAIT UNTIL A PASSENGER GETS INJURED OR DIES.

NHTSA ID

11596592

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the Air Bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while parked at a rest stop for approximately five minutes, the vehicle was turned on, and the driver's curtain air bag and the passenger side air bags were deployed inadvertently. The contact sustained lower head and scalp injuries and was knocked unconscious. Medical attention was not needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown third party by the insurance company where it was deemed totalled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,251.

NHTSA ID

11587799

Incident

Apr 28, 2024

Mileage

137,251 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.