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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
11,000 miles · Sep 19, 2017
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 54 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT MEDIAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHO WAS THROWN FROM TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 54 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT MEDIAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHO WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIBS, A FRACTURED LEFT ARM, AND FRACTURES TO BOTH LEGS. THE 3-YEAR-OLD REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. BOTH RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE LOCAL DEALER CURTSY DODGE (LOCATION UNKNOWN) WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024260

14,500 miles · Sep 14, 2017
Engine

WHEN I OPENED THE CAP OF MY COOLANT EXPANSION TANK, I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE RUST AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP. I INSERTED MY FINGER INTO THE TANK AND FOUND RUST INSIDE THE COOLANT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND CLAIMED THERE WAS NO RUST. WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED TH…

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WHEN I OPENED THE CAP OF MY COOLANT EXPANSION TANK, I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE RUST AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP. I INSERTED MY FINGER INTO THE TANK AND FOUND RUST INSIDE THE COOLANT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND CLAIMED THERE WAS NO RUST. WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THE CAP TO THEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAP WITH AN AFTERMARKET CAP. WHEN I WENT TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HE NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE OIL IN MY COOLANT. HE PROCEEDED TO DO A HYDROCARBON TEST WHICH RESULTED 483 PPM WHICH WAS BAD FOR EMISSIONS. WE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11023568

4,670 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VICTORVILLE MOTORS (LOCATED AT 14617 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTFIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VICTORVILLE MOTORS (LOCATED AT 14617 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTFIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,670.

NHTSA ODI #11015082

7,500 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

LOST POWER STEERING, LOST STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS BRAKES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 695. SYSTEMS CYCLED ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY REMAINED OFF. CAR DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11004713

2,007 miles · Jul 5, 2017
Power TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND USING THE PADDLE SHIFTER TO SHIFT TO AN UP GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT INSTEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WHITTEN BROTHERS OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND USING THE PADDLE SHIFTER TO SHIFT TO AN UP GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT INSTEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WHITTEN BROTHERS OF RICHMOND LOCATED AT 10701 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE #100, RICHMOND, VA 23235, PHONE NUMBER: (804) 378-0707, WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE THEN PURCHASED A DASH-CAM AND UPON RECORDING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHITTEN BROTHERS OF RICHMOND 10701 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE #100, RICHMOND, VA 23235 (804) 378-0707, WHERE BOTH PADDLE SHIFTER BUTTONS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,007.

NHTSA ODI #11003041

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

10,500 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other

U CONNECT SAFETY CONCERNS. DRIVE SHIFT PROMPTED FOR SERVICE, BACK UP CAM SHOWING WHILE IN DRIVE IN NAVE SCREEN, NO CONTROL OVER BLOWERS, WITH MANUAL BUTTONS OR NAV SCREEN, NO CONTROL OF RADIO VOLUME, BLACK SCREEN, AND ASSIST LIGHT AND 911 LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10959050

10,000 miles · Mar 1, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

UCONNECT 911 VEHICLE PHONE CHIP NOT WORKING, WHITE SCREEN ON RADIO MODULE, AND UNABLE TO CONTROL RADIO SETTINGS, NOT ABLE TO CONTROL BLOWER FOR HEAT, AC, OR DEFROST, MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER AND CALL TO CUSTOMER CARE HAS NOT RESOLVED ISSUE AS OF YET. HEAD UNIT IS ON BACK ORDER. PHONE CAN NOT BE CONNECTED TO HANDS FREE SYSTEM S…

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UCONNECT 911 VEHICLE PHONE CHIP NOT WORKING, WHITE SCREEN ON RADIO MODULE, AND UNABLE TO CONTROL RADIO SETTINGS, NOT ABLE TO CONTROL BLOWER FOR HEAT, AC, OR DEFROST, MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER AND CALL TO CUSTOMER CARE HAS NOT RESOLVED ISSUE AS OF YET. HEAD UNIT IS ON BACK ORDER. PHONE CAN NOT BE CONNECTED TO HANDS FREE SYSTEM SAFELY. 10. DEALERSHIP IS NOT BEING COOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10957815

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

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.