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2012 Dodge Challenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Challenger years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Challenger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 45.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

7 reports
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120,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I INITIALLY GOT MY ALTERNATOR CHANGED BY MY OWN MECHANIC BEFORE THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THE ALTERNATOR. THEN SOME TIME LAST YEAR 2018 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS. WHILE MY CAR WAS AT DODGE THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RECALL ON MY ALTERNATOR STILL HADN'T BEEN CLEARED SINCE I NEVER CHANGED IT WITH DODGE SO I WAS …

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I INITIALLY GOT MY ALTERNATOR CHANGED BY MY OWN MECHANIC BEFORE THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THE ALTERNATOR. THEN SOME TIME LAST YEAR 2018 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS. WHILE MY CAR WAS AT DODGE THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RECALL ON MY ALTERNATOR STILL HADN'T BEEN CLEARED SINCE I NEVER CHANGED IT WITH DODGE SO I WAS LIKE WHAT THE HECK WHY NOT JUST GET A BRAND NEW ONE THROUGH DODGE THIS TIME WHILE THEY'RE REPAIRING WHATEVER NEEDED TO BE DONE WITH MY AIR BAGS. FAST FORWARD TO JULY OF 2019 I TOOK MY CAR IN TO DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME SHAKING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK AND FOR THE GEARS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. MY RPMS WERE GOING WAY TOO HIGH BEFORE THE NEXT GEAR WOULD SHIFT. SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT I WAS BACK A WEEK LATER BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE ANOTHER SEVERAL DAYS THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE ACTUAL ISSUE SO NOW I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. ( SOMETHING WAS MISFIRING , A COIL WAS CHANGED ETC.) NOW SEPT OF 2019 MY CAR DECIDED TO STOP ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST KILLING ME. MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, AIR BAGS LIGHT, STEERING WHEEL , NO KEY FOB DETECTED ALL WHILE LOOSING POWER. THANKFULLY I MADE IT OFF THE EXIST WITH JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET TO A GAS STATION RIGHT OFF THE FREEWAY BEFORE MY CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF ON ME. I TOOK THE BATTERY TO GET CHECKED IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, RECHARGED IT CAR STARTED FINE THEN WENT BACK TO DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH WARNING SIGNS ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD AND LEAVING ME AGAIN. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND STILL WONT TURN ON. BEING THAT I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR THE FIRST TIME MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT I AM PRETTY SURE THIS IS THE SAME EXACT THING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I GOT IT WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER BUT I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11254881

50,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

DRIVING AND THE POWER SURGED, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, NONE OF MY GAUGES WORKED AND STEERING FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST SUMMER TO GET THIS FIXED L. AND NOW TWO MONTHS SINCE IT FINALLY WENT SOUTH AND HAVE STILL BEEN WAITING. WONDERFUL JOB BY THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10860733

60,600 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

ABOUT 2.5 MILES FROM HOME, MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A HUMMING/WHINING SOUND WHEN I WOULD PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND CALLED MY DAD USING THE U-CONNECT BLUETOOTH HANDS FREE SYSTEM. ABOUT 1 OR 2 MINUTES INTO THE CALL, I LOST POWER TO THE RADIO. THEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND…

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ABOUT 2.5 MILES FROM HOME, MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A HUMMING/WHINING SOUND WHEN I WOULD PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. I BEGAN TO PANIC AND CALLED MY DAD USING THE U-CONNECT BLUETOOTH HANDS FREE SYSTEM. ABOUT 1 OR 2 MINUTES INTO THE CALL, I LOST POWER TO THE RADIO. THEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE ODOMETER STOPPED READING MY SPEED AND ALL NEEDLES ON THE DASH SPIKED THEN FELL FLAT SHOWING NO READINGS AT ALL. AS I CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL, I STARTED TO SMELL MELTING/BURNING. I TRIED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND HAND NO POWER. THE CAR FINALLY DIED WHEN I PULLED INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO ENTER THE GATE CODE. MY CAR THEN BLOCKED THE ENTIRE ENTRANCE TO COMPLEX UNTIL I COULD GET IT TOWED. THERE WAS AN ALTERNATOR RECALL I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF, YET THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT NOTED ON MY ACCOUNT. (THANKS FOR TELLING ME.) AND THEN THE BATTERY WAS SO CORRODED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, POSITIVE CABLE, AND REWIRE. THE ALTERNATOR COSTS WERE COVERED BUT I AM OUT ALMOST 1200$ ON THE REST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702042

89,000 miles · Dec 31, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

DRIVING TO WORK. CAR STARTS TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE THEN THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON, I DRIVE THE CAR UP THE ROAD A LITTLE MORE AND THE RADIO TURNS OFF AND THE GAUGES START TO MOVE ERRATICALLY AND THEN THE CAR JUST DIED, COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED YOU COULD CLEARLY SMELL SOMET…

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DRIVING TO WORK. CAR STARTS TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE THEN THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON, I DRIVE THE CAR UP THE ROAD A LITTLE MORE AND THE RADIO TURNS OFF AND THE GAUGES START TO MOVE ERRATICALLY AND THEN THE CAR JUST DIED, COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED YOU COULD CLEARLY SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I AM TOLD THAT THE "PARTS TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE". I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ALTERNATOR WOULD BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BUT IT WOULD FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE RECALL. I GOT THE CAR HOME AND WHILE READING THE REPAIR PAPERWORK REALIZE THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT REPLACED JUST "REPAIRED AND REPLACED". VERY UPSET AND SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE! NOT TO EVEN MENTION HOW UPSET ABOUT BEING LIED TO BY THE DEALERSHIP. COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS BAD EXPERIENCE!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669223

49,750 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET - ALL CONSOLE STARTED TO BLINK AND VEHICLE WENT DEAD. NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER. TRIED STARTING IT AND NOTHING. CALLED AAA AND THEY TRIED JUMPING MY CAR AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME - CAR IS DEAD AND SAID THAT MY ALTERNATOR IS FRIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659884

46,200 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE BATTERY LIGHT APPEARED THEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. I GOT HOME TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAS NOT ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. TOOK THE BATTERY IN FOR RECHARGE AND THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND TEST THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650473

25,700 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I HAD OBSERVED A WHINING SOUND FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS LIKE A POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT ANY FLUID IN IT. I TRIED TO LISTEN UNDER THE HOOD TO LOCATE THE SOUND BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM LOW IN THE ENGINE BAY ON THE LEFT SIDE, LOOKING AT IT. MY WIFE LEFT FOR WORK AND AS SHE PULLED OFF, THE NOI…

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I HAD OBSERVED A WHINING SOUND FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. IT WAS LIKE A POWER STEERING PUMP WITHOUT ANY FLUID IN IT. I TRIED TO LISTEN UNDER THE HOOD TO LOCATE THE SOUND BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM LOW IN THE ENGINE BAY ON THE LEFT SIDE, LOOKING AT IT. MY WIFE LEFT FOR WORK AND AS SHE PULLED OFF, THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD AND WORSE THAN BEFORE. I HOPED SHE WAS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT AND MAKE IT TO WORK. SHE CALLED ME JUST AS SHE WAS GETTING TO WORK, WHEN THE VEHICLE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS LIT UP ALONG WITH A CONSTANT ALARM CHIME. SHE WAS ABLE TO PARK AND CALL ME. I LEFT HOME TO GO THERE. I STARTED THE CAR UP WHEN I GOT THERE AND ALL WAS NORMAL UNTIL I STARTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. ON THE WAY, THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ALARM CHIME. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS DURING THE RIDE TO LISTEN FOR NOISES. AS I APPROACHED THE DEALER AND PARKED, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LAMP LIT UP AS WELL AS SOME CHIMING. I TRIED PUSHING THE TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH WITH NO RESULT. I TRIED TO ROLL UP THE WINDOWS BUT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. AS I WAS GETTING READY TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE ENGINE DIED. THE SERVICE TECH WAS RIGHT THERE AND ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. I SAID I HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HE CHECKED ME IN AND GOT THE TABLET OUT TO READ THE ERROR LOG IN THE CAR. HE SAID I HAD AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE. WHEN THEY CHECKED THE CAR IN AND WERE TRYING TO MOVE IT, THE BATTERY HAD DIED AND THEY JUMPED IT TO GET IT GOING. I ASKED ABOUT ANOTHER NOISE AND SAID IT WAS THE WATER PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639354

Official recalls

6

19V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

18V021000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

17V435000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jul 10, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

16V352000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

14V634000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Oct 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

13V118000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.

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

1

EA21002 · 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.