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2016 Dodge Challenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Dodge Challenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 45.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 31 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

11 reports
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32,876 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Air BagsCrash

ON APRIL 19TH 2021 MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 -35 MPH IN HER 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER SXT ON A MINOR THOROUGHFARE WHEN A CAR TURNED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DODGE CORPORATION AS WELL AS THE THE DE…

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ON APRIL 19TH 2021 MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 -35 MPH IN HER 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER SXT ON A MINOR THOROUGHFARE WHEN A CAR TURNED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DODGE CORPORATION AS WELL AS THE THE DEALERSHIP AT WHICH SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 32,876 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11413368

76,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 67 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JAY WALKING AND SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND FACE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 67 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JAY WALKING AND SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND FACE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERING WHICH EMBEDDED INTO HIS SKIN BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE IT WAS BEING HELD FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11389263

6,022 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

I HAD A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT HEAD ON COLLISION TO GUARD RAILS. SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRICT ME FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD ALSO MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #11366450

30,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER (DISLOCATED) AND TO THE RIGHT KNEE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER (DISLOCATED) AND TO THE RIGHT KNEE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A TOWING COMPANY. HILLTOP CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3291 AUTO PLAZA DRIVE, RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94804, (510) 243-6100) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11122803

10,000 miles · Dec 5, 2017
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AS IF THEY WERE PREMATURELY WEARING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE ALSO M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AS IF THEY WERE PREMATURELY WEARING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AS IF METAL WERE TOUCHING WHENEVER THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA, AS WELL AS WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO POWAY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (13811 POWAY ROAD, POWAY, CA 92064; 858-218-2213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBERS: 30285247 AND 31041577. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO VIEW THE BRAKES. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT IN NEED OF REPAIR. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE POWAY DODGE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBERS: 32657810 AND 32920890. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME POWAY DODGE DEALER REGARDING THE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR, BUT THEY DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11052637

1,900 miles · Jun 11, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsSuspensionCrashInjury

THE CAR STARTED DOING A REAR WHEEL HOP IN SECOND GEAR CHANGE AS ALREADY REPORTED TO DODGE. DODGE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VIA A MR MIKE MACDONALD. THIS WHEEL HOP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO 3 DODGE DEALERS WHO SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". ON THE OFFER TO REPLACE THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CA…

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THE CAR STARTED DOING A REAR WHEEL HOP IN SECOND GEAR CHANGE AS ALREADY REPORTED TO DODGE. DODGE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VIA A MR MIKE MACDONALD. THIS WHEEL HOP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO 3 DODGE DEALERS WHO SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". ON THE OFFER TO REPLACE THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT CAME. I SHOULD HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT OFFER. THE CAR ALMOST KILLED ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, AS MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. MULTIPLE CASES OF AIR BAGS ON THESE CARS NOT DEPLOYING HAS COME UP IN GOOGLE SEARCHES. BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES RUPTURES WHEN THE CAR WENT SIDEWAYS FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER WHAT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WAS THE THROTTLE BEING STUCK. I CAN PROVIDE IMAGES LATER AFTER THE HOSPITAL OF THE TIRE HOP MARKS. DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING A COFFIN ON WHEELS. ODDLY, MR. MIKE MACDONALDS PHONE SENDS ME STRAIGHT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10994349

1 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI #10968229

2,000 miles · Feb 3, 2017
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT NOT DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10949326

6,000 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Air BagsSuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE VEHICLE SPUN A…

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TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND LOST SEVERAL TEETH, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10888898

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CONDITION IN WHICH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN NECESSARY. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CONDITION IN WHICH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN NECESSARY. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ADVANCE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION DUE TO THE LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE FORCE OF HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT BELT ALSO DID NOT SECURE THE CONTACT, WHICH CAUSED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10871669

Official recalls

1

18V332000 · Electrical System:software; Electrical System:wiring; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 17, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:software

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Electrical System:wiring

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

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.