IllustrationNo warning lights. Loses power, shuts down when traveling. Must pull over, come to a complete stop, put vehicle in park, wait 2-3 minutes sometime longer before it will start back up, Has been occurring for at least 6`months now. Repair shop/dealer unable to confirm due to the fact that it doesn't occur when test driven!!
2016 Dodge Charger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Charger 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
300–25K
2925–50K
2150–75K
1375–100K
13100–150K
1150K+
107 reports with mileage · 75 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.
- Structure. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
25 reportsDriver Seat will automatically move forward or back during the car actively moving. Moving all the way forward and extending back where unable to reach pedals. Extremely dangerous potentially causing and accident, with serious leg injuries. The emergency break will automatically occur with no vehicles/obstructions that would set…
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Driver Seat will automatically move forward or back during the car actively moving. Moving all the way forward and extending back where unable to reach pedals. Extremely dangerous potentially causing and accident, with serious leg injuries. The emergency break will automatically occur with no vehicles/obstructions that would set off the alert, on the highway , potentially being rear ended. The problems have been occurring approximately 1 yr
THE BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD WITHOUT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE.
BACK UP CAMERA STILL SHOWS REAR VIEW EVEN AFTER CHANGING OUT OF REVERSE. ALSO THE DOOR PANEL GLUE HAS FAILED AS WELL AS THE GLUE ON THE PANEL AROUND THE GEAR CONTROL.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY TRUNK FLEW OPEN CAUSING MY CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO THE SHOULDER AND THIS SCENERIO ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A WRECK. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THEY WERE VERY SCARED! ITS RIDICULOUS THAT IT JUST SHUTS OFF BEFORE EVEN GIVING A WARNING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AFTER PARKING OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AFTER PARKING OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JTS DODGELAND OF COLUMBIA - DODGE RAM LOCATED AT (190 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) BUT NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BEING PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF WHEN DRIVING DISABLING TRACTION CONTROL AND SPORT CONTROL DUE TO BAD ALTERNATOR THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND ON SURFACE STREETS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU LOSE COMPLETE POWER FROM THE CAR WITH NO NOTICE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE THAT ALLOWED HIM TO POSITION THE DRIVER'S CHAIR TO CERTAIN SETTINGS FROM DRIVER ONE TO DRIVER TWO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGE THIS FEATURE, HIS DAUGHTER PLACED HER HEAD IN BETWEEN THE HEAD R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE THAT ALLOWED HIM TO POSITION THE DRIVER'S CHAIR TO CERTAIN SETTINGS FROM DRIVER ONE TO DRIVER TWO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGE THIS FEATURE, HIS DAUGHTER PLACED HER HEAD IN BETWEEN THE HEAD REST AND THE REAR WINDOW. ONCE THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR, THE SEAT BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST AND THE SPACE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE HEAD REST BEGAN TO NARROW. AS THE SEAT BEGAN TO ADJUST, THE SEAT BEGAN TO CHOKE HER NECK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HIT THE MEMORY SEAT BUTTON TO CEASE THE SEAT FROM ADJUSTING. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED AND DID NOT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED SINCE THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT POPPING ON AND OFF. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER WHENEVER I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. IT DOES DRIVE BUT IT MAKES A VERY LOUD, UNSETTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD EVEN WHEN I AM SITTING IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS NORMALLY SILENT WHEN SITTING …
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WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT POPPING ON AND OFF. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER WHENEVER I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. IT DOES DRIVE BUT IT MAKES A VERY LOUD, UNSETTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD EVEN WHEN I AM SITTING IN PARK. THE VEHICLE IS NORMALLY SILENT WHEN SITTING IN PARK AND DRIVING. I AM SMELLING SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL AS WELL WHEN DRIVING. MY CAR WAS SENT TO FRISCO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN FRISCO, TX A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING A CODE P0430 WHICH MEANT THERE ARE ISSUES WITH MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS TOLD THAT OVER 800,000 VEHICLES IN THE DODGE MAKE HAD BEEN RECALLED THIS YEAR DUE TO THIS SAME THING. I WAS TOLD MY CAR COULDN'T BE REPAIRED AT THE MOMENT AS THEY WERE UNSURE AS TO WHAT ACTUALLY NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I AM AFRAID THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO QUIT ON ME ANY DAY. I AM BEING TOLD THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON DODGE VEHICLES FOR THIS BUT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE WHEN IT'S THE SAME THING? IN APRIL AND JULY OF THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. I PULLED OVER TO SEE IF IT WOULD STOP AND IT DIDN'T SO I SLOWLY MADE MY WAY OVER TO FREEDOM CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM BY ED MORSE IN DUNCANVILLE, TX WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY IGNITION COILS ARE FAILING AND EVENTUALLY ALL OF THEM WILL FAIL AS THIS IS COMMON IS DODGE VEHICLES. IF THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM, WHY ARE THESE VEHICLES STILL BEING SOLD? WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN FIXED? I HAVE SPENT OVER $800 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR AND IT'S ONLY A 2016. I DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE PROBLEMS THIS SOON ON SUCH A NEW CAR.
HEATHER MAKES NOISES WHEN BLOWING BOLTS ARE MISSING THAT HOLDS THE FRONT GRILL OR BUMPER
Official recalls
518V332000 · 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.
18V281000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
May 1, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
17V824000 · Equipment
Dec 21, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
17V097000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
Feb 14, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.
16V043000 · Structure
Jan 28, 2016
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.
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.