2011 Saab 9-3

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.

driver side seat belt not retracting, there is a recall but does not include this vin number.

NHTSA ID

11419150

Incident

May 29, 2021

DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING IN A FORWARD, STRAIGHT MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11352234

Incident

Aug 30, 2020

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11326728

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND SCREWS WERE MISSING THAT CONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11151821

Incident

Nov 4, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE

NHTSA ID

11074242

Incident

Jan 22, 2018

LETTER IS RESPONSE TO THE RECALL OF A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG; SEEKING HELP FOR THIS DILEMNA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 16V063. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. UPDATED 06/29/2017 *JS

NHTSA ID

11002290

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-955-9007. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE DEALER NEARBY REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO DEALER THAT WAS 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11000230

Incident

May 11, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DORSHAL AUTOMOTIVE WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INITIALLY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS BEING SENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STILL WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE LACK OF PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10992890

Incident

May 11, 2016

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.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH