IllustrationTHIS PERTAINS TO THE VEHICLES RADIO WERE THIS IS COMMON IN THE 8.4 TOUCH SCREEN WERE IT DEVELOPS BUBBLES IN THE SCREEN AND THE RADIO WILL INADVERTENTLY SELECT RANDOM TOUCH SCREEN SELECTIONS CAUSEING UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR. THIS IS A DRIVER DISTRACTION AND SAFETY HAZARD.
2018 Dodge Challenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 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
Compare all Challenger years →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
200–25K
1225–50K
150–75K
275–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
35 reports with mileage · 40 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
28 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLLAWAY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLLAWAY AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. STARR MOTORS, INC. (2584 PRUDEN BLVD, SUFFOLK, VA 23434, (757)539-0214) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,559.
WE TOWED OUR VEHICLE OFF AT OURSMAN DODGE IN MD LAST THURSDAY AS APPEARS THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING SOUND AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN, BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A COLLISION. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ROUGHLY 5 MONTHS AGO AND TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE NEVER HAD A COLLISION IN T…
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WE TOWED OUR VEHICLE OFF AT OURSMAN DODGE IN MD LAST THURSDAY AS APPEARS THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING SOUND AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN, BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A COLLISION. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ROUGHLY 5 MONTHS AGO AND TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE NEVER HAD A COLLISION IN THE VEHICLE. THE PART IS UNDER WARRANTY AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AS THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE HOW THE PART BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES AND AGAIN, PURCHASED OVER THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THEY SAID TO CALL THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD SEND A 3RD PARTY VENDOR. I CALLED THEM AND THE PERSON IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY DID SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STATED MAYBE THE PRIOR OWNER WAS IN A COLLISION BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE AND THEY REALLY COULDN'T TELL HOW THE SWAY BAR BROKE. HE SAID HE WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR OUT AND SOMETIMES ITS UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD THE CAR PRIOR DON'T REPORT THINGS. HE SAID HE WOULD GET OUT THERE WITHIN A DAY AND LET US KNOW HOW DODGE WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED. HE GAVE US A CASE NUMBER. WE CALLED IN TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT THE STATUS IS OF THE INSPECTOR AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. SOMEONE STATED THERE WERE NO NOTES OF AN INSPECTOR AND STATED THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE WARRANT? NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON, THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING, WE ARE WAITING ON THE FIRST CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TO CALL US BACK TO FIND OUT IF AN INSPECTION WAS INDEED SET UP AS THAT WAS WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. AGAIN, THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO SHOW A COLLISION, WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT BROKE AND THE PART IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE WORK HARD TO PAY OUR BILLS AND PAY OUR CAR PAYMENTS. TAKE CARE OF THE PART. IF YOU CAN'T TELL ME HOW IT BROKE, THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF IT UNDER THE WARRANTY.
BOUGHT MY CAR ON MAY 7, 2018 BRAND NEW. IT HAS 3206 MILES, I REALLY DONT USE IT BECAUSE IT IS USED FOR PLEASURE/SHOW BUT WHEN I DO THE BATTERY IS DISCHARGED. I HAVE HAD TO CALL A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES-JUNE, JULY, SEPTEMBER,, OCTOBER 2018 THE BATTERY DISCHARGED WITHOUT ANY VALID REASON. IN 2019 APRIL, MAY THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THE …
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BOUGHT MY CAR ON MAY 7, 2018 BRAND NEW. IT HAS 3206 MILES, I REALLY DONT USE IT BECAUSE IT IS USED FOR PLEASURE/SHOW BUT WHEN I DO THE BATTERY IS DISCHARGED. I HAVE HAD TO CALL A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES-JUNE, JULY, SEPTEMBER,, OCTOBER 2018 THE BATTERY DISCHARGED WITHOUT ANY VALID REASON. IN 2019 APRIL, MAY THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. THE DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS AND FINALLY CHANGED THE BATTERY AND RESET THE IBS. HOPEFULLY THIS WORKS BUT I NEEDED TO REPORT IT TO SOMEONE. THE DEALER SAID THAT ONE REASON WHY THE BATTERY DISCHARGES IS BECAUSE I DONT DRIVE IT OFTEN.
TAKATA RECALL: AXLE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. SPEED AT THE TIME WAS 5-10 MILES.
MY RADIO SCREEN CONSTANTLY KEEPS REBOOTING OR GOING ON AND OFF. EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE STREET OR ON THE HIGHWAY IT GOES OFF, THEN I HIT ANOTHER SMALL BUMP AND IT COMES BACK ON. SOMETIMES I DON'T HAVE TO DO A ANYTHING, JUST BE SITTING PARKED, AND IT GOES OUT, WHICH IN TURN, I CAN NOT USE MY BACKUP SCREEN CAUSE IT'S NOT T…
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MY RADIO SCREEN CONSTANTLY KEEPS REBOOTING OR GOING ON AND OFF. EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IN THE STREET OR ON THE HIGHWAY IT GOES OFF, THEN I HIT ANOTHER SMALL BUMP AND IT COMES BACK ON. SOMETIMES I DON'T HAVE TO DO A ANYTHING, JUST BE SITTING PARKED, AND IT GOES OUT, WHICH IN TURN, I CAN NOT USE MY BACKUP SCREEN CAUSE IT'S NOT THERE! THAT MAKES IT DANGEROUS CAUSE I CAN NOT SEE CARS OR PEDESTRIANS BEHIND ME. AS YOU KNOW, MY RADIO SCREEN IS KEY TO OTHER FEATURES THAT I CAN NOT USE BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT REBOOTING OR GOING OFF AND ON.
WEATHER ALERTS KEEP POPPING UP ON MY RADIO SCREEN, REQUIRING ME TO READ THEM AND TAP ON THE OK BUTTON TO MAKE THEM GO AWAY. THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH NOISE/SOUND TO GET MY ATTENTION. THERE IS NO OPTION TO DISABLE THESE ALERTS AND IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING, ON MY LUNCH BREAK, OR ON MY RIDE H…
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WEATHER ALERTS KEEP POPPING UP ON MY RADIO SCREEN, REQUIRING ME TO READ THEM AND TAP ON THE OK BUTTON TO MAKE THEM GO AWAY. THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH NOISE/SOUND TO GET MY ATTENTION. THERE IS NO OPTION TO DISABLE THESE ALERTS AND IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING, ON MY LUNCH BREAK, OR ON MY RIDE HOME. THEY WILL APPEAR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET THEM TO GO AWAY UNLESS I TAKE MY EYES OF THE ROAD AND READ AND TAP ON THE MESSAGE. I CONTACTED UCONNECT AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT XM TO DISABLE THAT SERVICE. I CONTACTED XM AND THEY WOULD NOT DISABLE THAT SERVICE OR BE OF ANY HELP. I WOULD REALLY LIKE A WAY TO GET THESE MESSAGES TO GO AWAY. IDEALLY, AN OPTION IN THE RADIO TO TURN THEM OFF. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY/WEEK, DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER. THIS LAST HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO.
THE UCONNECT RADIO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING IN THE CARS. AS SUCH, THE SYSTEM REBOOTS THE RADIO EVERY 30 SECONDS. THE RADIO CONTROLS THE BACKUP CAMERA AMONG OTHER THINGS. SINCE IT CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTS EVERY THIRTY SECONDS, THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND YOU.CANNOT SEE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU. THE POTENTIAL FOR HITTING PEDESTRIANS IS HORRIBLE…
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THE UCONNECT RADIO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING IN THE CARS. AS SUCH, THE SYSTEM REBOOTS THE RADIO EVERY 30 SECONDS. THE RADIO CONTROLS THE BACKUP CAMERA AMONG OTHER THINGS. SINCE IT CONTINUOUSLY REBOOTS EVERY THIRTY SECONDS, THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND YOU.CANNOT SEE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU. THE POTENTIAL FOR HITTING PEDESTRIANS IS HORRIBLE. PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED BY THIS. DODGE KNOWS ABOUT AND DOESN'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED.
Official recalls
318V524000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Aug 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
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.
18V280000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
May 1, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.