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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

What owners actually said

78 reports
40,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Unknown Or Other

DOOR WEATHERSEAL STRIP, BOUGHT CAR LATE 2016, SINCE 2017 I GET A LOUD SHARP SWISLE NOISE AT 70MPH IN OPEN AREA WITH SIDE WINDS, NOISE IT SO LOUD & SHARP & FAST THAT I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE IT COMES ON SO FAST & THEN GOES AWAY, DEALERSHIP HAS FINALLY DETERMINED IT'S THE WEATHERSTRIPPING THAT IS OBVIOUS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT…

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DOOR WEATHERSEAL STRIP, BOUGHT CAR LATE 2016, SINCE 2017 I GET A LOUD SHARP SWISLE NOISE AT 70MPH IN OPEN AREA WITH SIDE WINDS, NOISE IT SO LOUD & SHARP & FAST THAT I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE IT COMES ON SO FAST & THEN GOES AWAY, DEALERSHIP HAS FINALLY DETERMINED IT'S THE WEATHERSTRIPPING THAT IS OBVIOUS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY & MY EXTENDED WON'T COVER IT & THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $300. I FIGURE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11170240

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2018
Electrical System

BATTERY FAILURE LIGHT BROUGHT UP ON DASHBOARD, BATTERY VOLTAGE HEALTHY BUT DASHBOARD READINGS READ OTHERWISE. OVER TIME CAR STALLED OUT, DISABLED ABS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND BRAKES. SPEEDOMETER WENT UP AND DOWN AND POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. BURNING SMELL FROM ENGINE NEAR THE ALTERNATOR

NHTSA ODI #11162096

45,000 miles · Nov 24, 2018
Structure

THE DOOR PANELS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE DOORS.

NHTSA ODI #11153540

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

7,500 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE. I THOUGHT A GARBAGE CAN WAS ON FIRE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY TRUNK WAS ON FIRE. CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN 4 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE COMPANY BELIE…

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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE. I THOUGHT A GARBAGE CAN WAS ON FIRE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY TRUNK WAS ON FIRE. CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN 4 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVE WIRING HARNESS OR BATTERY (LOCATED IN TRUNK) WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11111662

49,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Power Train

CAR STICKS IN GEAR WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING. SNYCHS REPLACED AT 41K NOW AT 49K CLUTCH PLATE NOW NEEDS REPLACING. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AS I COULD NOT GET IT IN/ OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11103496

19,000 miles · May 26, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO I REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS STATIONARY, PUSHED THE START BUTTON TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO LATER THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND SHUTOFF, ALL THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER LIGHTS AND SIDE MI…

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ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO I REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS STATIONARY, PUSHED THE START BUTTON TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO LATER THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND SHUTOFF, ALL THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER LIGHTS AND SIDE MIRROR PROXIMITY LIGHTS CAME ON. THE PUSH BUTTON WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED IN THE "RUN" POSITION. I TRIED TO PUSH THE START BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED, I TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN AS THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN TO ALLOW ME TO OPEN THE DOOR (FRAME LESS DOOR), IF I HAD FORCED THE DOOR OPEN THE WINDOW WOULD HAVE BROKE. I WAS STUCK INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS STATIONARY AND NOT IN DRIVE. I THEN PRESSED THE UNLOCK FUNCTION ON THE KEY FOB AND THE CAR MADE ALL THE NOISES TO UNLOCK, I AGAIN TRIED OPENING THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. I THEN TRIED PUSHING THE START BUTTON AND THE BUTTON WOULD NOT COME OUT OF "RUN" MODE. I PRESSED THE LOCK FUNCTION ON THE KEY FOB, THE VEHICLE MADE ALL THE NOISES OF LOCKING (HORN, FLASHING LIGHTS, ACTUATOR NOISE FOR LOCK) BUT THE DOOR STILL WOULD NOT OPEN AS THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN; THE VEHICLE START BUTTON WAS STILL IN "RUN" MODE. I PRESSED THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON A FEW MORE TIMES UNTIL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. ONCE THE DOOR WAS OPEN I CONTINUE PRESSING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, THE VEHICLE FINALLY LET ME PUSH THE START BUTTON TO TAKE IT OUT OF "RUN" MODE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WENT "OFF" I WAS ABLE TO START IT BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON. ON MAY 22, 2018 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GRESHAM DODGE DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN A QUICK DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THERE WAS NO EVENT STORED, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11098094

33,000 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE ACCERATOR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, WENT TO DEALERSHIP STATED MY PEDAL WAS DEFECTIVE REPLACED IT, WHEN I TAPPED ON PEDAL IN WENT ALL THE WAY DAY, MY CARE STARTED TO SPEED PAST 100MPH ON HIGHWAY,

NHTSA ODI #11063852

16,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Engine

2016 DODGE CHALLENGER 392 ENGINE. WHEN SHIFTING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, THERE IS A SEVERE HESITATION THAT LASTS A FEW SECONDS. THIS HESITATION IS SO SEVERE THAT I HAVE NEARLY BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS. ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC AND ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWA…

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2016 DODGE CHALLENGER 392 ENGINE. WHEN SHIFTING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, THERE IS A SEVERE HESITATION THAT LASTS A FEW SECONDS. THIS HESITATION IS SO SEVERE THAT I HAVE NEARLY BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS. ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC AND ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LOSES ALL POWER FOR ABOUT 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON CHALLENGER CAR FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED ON 2016 & 2017 MODELS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY. WHEN CAR WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD, DEALER KEPT CAR FOR ALMOST A MONTH TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. APRIL OF 2016. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR ALMOST 18 MONTHS BUT NOW HAS RETURNED IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 WORSE THAN BEFORE. DEALER, LEE DODGE IN WESTBROOK MAINE UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER THEIR EXPERTS DROVE THE VEHICLE. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11054112

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

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.