NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
66 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 30, 2021
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF BOSTON (1600 SOLDIERS FIELD RD, BRIGHTON, MA 02135) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF BOSTON (1600 SOLDIERS FIELD RD, BRIGHTON, MA 02135) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT UNLESS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE FAILURE, A LOANER VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
NHTSA ODI #11405643
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2021
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11404982
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2021
Electrical System
CAR UNLOCKS MY ITSELF AFTER LOCKING.
NHTSA ODI #11403790
80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2021
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11395605
89,000 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY CAR WAS IN MOTION I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET AND THEN MY CAR SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN. I HAD NO PRIOR LIGHTS ON. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE REST OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN FLASHING WITH THE CODE P0202, AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 3 MPH. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET …
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MY CAR WAS IN MOTION I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET AND THEN MY CAR SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN. I HAD NO PRIOR LIGHTS ON. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE REST OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BEGAN FLASHING WITH THE CODE P0202, AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 3 MPH. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND IT TOOK ME OVER 20 MINUTES TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION THAT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE 5 MINUTES, I DON'T KNOW HOW I EVEN MADE IT TO THE STATION WITHOUT PUSHING THE CAR MYSELF. I HAD TO TOW IT DIRECTLY TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES. ACURA NOTIFIED ME IT WAS MY FUEL INJECTOR AND COILS AFTER RUNNING THE DIAGNOSTIC. I HAD TO PAY $1,200 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS A COMPLETE PARTS ISSUE, A RARE OCCURRENCE, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE, THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THEN I RECEIVED A CALL FROM ACURA AFTER THE PARTS WERE REPLACED THAT THEY FRIED OUT THE PCM-THE COMPUTER OF THE CAR. THEY STATED MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE UNTIL THE PCM WAS REPLACED AND THAT IT DID NOT SHOW IN THE DIAGNOSTIC UNTIL THEY REPLACED THE PARTS. SO NOW, A PARTS FAILURE LED TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING LISTED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A COMMON ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $1,100 NOW TOTALING TO A $2,200 UNPRECEDENTED OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE FOR A MANUFACTURER FAILURE. THIS IS TERRIFYING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS WORKING COMPLETELY FINE, DRIVING SMOOTHLY, AND OUT OF NOWHERE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION GAVE OUT ON ME, PLACING MY LIFE IN DANGER. SUSPICIOUSLY ENOUGH, DURING THIS TIMEFRAME, I GET A NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR A STOP SALE RELATED TO DRIVESHAFT CORROSION WHICH COULD CAUSE MY CAR TO STOP. WHAT IF THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE OTHER PROBLEMS?
NHTSA ODI #11383823
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE LIGHT ON MY 2013 ILX ARE BEING FOGGY AND SHOW DIMINISH LIGHT . DOOR LATCH ACTS UP SOMETIMES AS WELL- IT LOCK AND THEN IT DOES NOT UNLOCK. PASSENGER AIRBAG ALWAYS IS OUT OF WACK- IT SAYS THAT THEY ARE OFF THEN ON...
NHTSA ODI #11365624
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2020
Air Bags
MY AIRBAG DEFLATOR EVERY YEAR HAS A MALFUNCTION AND I CAN'T PASS MY INSPECTION. THIS IS THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW THAT THIS HAPPENS TO ME. NO ACCIDENT, AS SOON AS CAR STARTS UP ASKS TO CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11343904
77,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Power TrainSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM HER DRIVEWAY, WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS INDEPENDENTLY AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA ILX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM HER DRIVEWAY, WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS INDEPENDENTLY AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AT THE RESIDENCE AND INFORMED HER THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF WAPPINGERS FALLS LOCATED AT 1271 RT 9 S, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590, (845) 298-0400, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #11337707
82,274 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Steering
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE VERY STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #11266864
48,700 miles · Sep 29, 2019
Service BrakesCrash
THE BRAKE FAIL STOPPING THE CAR WHILE DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY VIA EXITING RAMP, RAMP TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER SLOW AT THE MOMENT AND MY CAR JUST ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CAR SLIDE AHEAD AND HIT THE FRONT CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11258800
Official recalls
6Dec 10, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
Jun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Mar 6, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Feb 3, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Jun 13, 2014
American Honda Motor Co., Inc (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles manufactured January 16, 2012 to March 1, 2013, ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured January 12, 2012 to February 7, 2013, and certain model year 2014 ILX vehicles manufactured May 2, 2013, to May 31, 2014, and ILX Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 18, 2013 to February 19, 2014. Excessive heat temperatures around the headlight bulb and reflector unit may diminish the output of the headlight and cause smoke, melting, and fire. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The diminished light output may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additonally, the excessive heat coming from around the bulb and reflector could cause the headlights to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlights, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-862-2872. Honda's number for this recall is JE9.
Jul 19, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
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
1EA21002 · 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.
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