← New search

2017 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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 67 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

31 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY PASSAGE SIDE DOOR PANEL IS PEELING ON MY 2017 DODGE CHARGER. 11

NHTSA ODI #11342430

35,000 miles · Jul 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other

DOOR PANELS LIFTING ALONG WINDOWS

NHTSA ODI #11340243

43,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
EquipmentUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2017, A MONTH AGO I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A WATERMARK IN THE SCREEN OF MY RADIO, IT IS STRETCHING ACROSS THE SCREEN. I USE THIS TO MAKE PHONE CALLS SINCE WE ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO USE OUR CELL PHONES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE 2017 DODGE CHARGER HAS BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE AN…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2017, A MONTH AGO I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A WATERMARK IN THE SCREEN OF MY RADIO, IT IS STRETCHING ACROSS THE SCREEN. I USE THIS TO MAKE PHONE CALLS SINCE WE ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO USE OUR CELL PHONES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE 2017 DODGE CHARGER HAS BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT THEY SHOULD FIX IT AT NO CHARGE. THEY CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE SCREEN THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE RADIO AND IT IS ALMOST 2,000$. WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I LIVE THEY SAID THEY WOULD REACH OUT TO DODGE SINCE THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327991

40,000 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR INTERIOR COVERING IS SEPARATING FROM DOOR FRAME. NO GLUE RESIDUE APPARENT ON SUBFRAME OF DOOR. DEALER INFORMS PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL POSSIBLY MARCH 2020. PROBLEM REPORTED JULY 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11297302

19,300 miles · Oct 18, 2019
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING VEHICLE ON A CHICAGO STREET 40 DEGREES OUT, AND MOONROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND EXPLODES. REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #11269473

50,000 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Unknown Or Other

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR PANEL SEPARATING AND EXPOSING THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM AND OTHER PARTS OF THE DOOR MECHANISM. IT WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SEPARATED.

NHTSA ODI #11265752

30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL, MY UCONNECT SCREEN IS FAULTY AND GLITCHES OUT AND CHANGES SETTINGS, TEMPERATURE, RADIO STATIONS, TURNS MY SEAT WARMERS ON AND BASICALLY WHATEVER ELSE IT PRESSES ON BY ITSELF. IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND IDLE. THE INCIDENT STARTED HAPPENING RANDOMLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND I STILL HAVE NO …

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL, MY UCONNECT SCREEN IS FAULTY AND GLITCHES OUT AND CHANGES SETTINGS, TEMPERATURE, RADIO STATIONS, TURNS MY SEAT WARMERS ON AND BASICALLY WHATEVER ELSE IT PRESSES ON BY ITSELF. IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BOTH IN MOTION AND IDLE. THE INCIDENT STARTED HAPPENING RANDOMLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND I STILL HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11234852

42,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

RECENTLY I'VE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE WITH IT TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN I FIRST GO TO START IT UP. NOW I AM HAVING A BIGGER ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR DECIDED TO TURN OFF ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I AM FULLY AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME WHILE DRIVING. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DODGE AND THEY SEEM TO NOT CAR…

Read full complaint

RECENTLY I'VE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE WITH IT TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN I FIRST GO TO START IT UP. NOW I AM HAVING A BIGGER ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR DECIDED TO TURN OFF ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I AM FULLY AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME WHILE DRIVING. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DODGE AND THEY SEEM TO NOT CAR OR EVEN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG BECAUSE I CAN NOT REENACT THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE VIDEO OF IT NOT STARTING UP IN THE BEGINNING. SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES THAT COME UP, WHICH OF COURSE MAKES IT EASIER ON THEM TO JUST PUSH THE CUSTOMER AWAY. NOW IN MY OPINION I FEEL LIKE THIS CAN BE A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION IF SOMEONE LIKE MY MOTHER OR MY GRANDMA OWN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOW KNOW HOW TO CONTROL SUCH A HEAVY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD LOOK DEEPER INTO THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF FORUMS ONLINE SUGGESTING A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11174403

10,900 miles · May 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

NOTICED VIBRATION AROUND 10,000 MILES TOOK IN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT DOES MY OIL CHANGES/ROUTINE MAINT.WENT AHEAD HAD OIL CHANGED,ROTATED/BAL TIRES, STILL HAD VIBRATION TOOK IT BACK IN, ALIGHNE FRONT END, THEY COULD NOT GET TO IT THAT DAY HAD A CITY DUMP TRUCK ON MACH WAITING ON PART SO I DROVE IT TO CHATTANOOGA TN WHERE I PUR…

Read full complaint

NOTICED VIBRATION AROUND 10,000 MILES TOOK IN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT DOES MY OIL CHANGES/ROUTINE MAINT.WENT AHEAD HAD OIL CHANGED,ROTATED/BAL TIRES, STILL HAD VIBRATION TOOK IT BACK IN, ALIGHNE FRONT END, THEY COULD NOT GET TO IT THAT DAY HAD A CITY DUMP TRUCK ON MACH WAITING ON PART SO I DROVE IT TO CHATTANOOGA TN WHERE I PURCHASED IT TOLD THEM IT FELT LIKE A BELT MIGHT BE BROKEN IN TIRE HAD A PROMINENT VIBRATION LEFT IT SOMETIME THE NEXT WEEK WAS CALLED IT WAS READY THIS WAS IN OCT 2017 IT STILL HAD VIBRATION BETWEEN OCT 2017/JAN 2018 IT WENT BACK AND FORTH 5 TIMES TO CROWN DODGE OF CHATTANOOGA I WAS TOLD SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME I PICKED CAR UP,, FROM I WAS FEELING IT DOWN SHIFT, IT WAS BREAKING IN POINT,I NEEDED TO RUN ADDITIVE THROUGH ENGINE I HAD BOUGHT BAD GAS I OPENED UP A CASE WITH DODGE IN THIS 4 MONTH TIME FRAME. JAN 2018 AT 14,000 PLUS MILES I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN FACT THE TIRES THEY WERE CUPPING AND BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WOULD NOT MAKE THEM UP DUE TO I HAD NOT KEPT UP MY ROUTINE MAINT I DO HAVE ALL COPIES OF MANIT ON CAR. IT WAS ONLY SERVICED BY DODGE DEALERSHIP , IT HAS NOT BEEN HOT RODED, RACED, OR MISTREATED I OWN A $40,000 PLUS CAR THAT HAD 14,770 MILES ON IT I COULD NOT EVEN DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN!!!!!!! IAM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE NOT OF A CRASH BUT COULD EASILY BEEN I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW SET OF TIRES AT A 50% DISCOUNT AND STILL COST $800 I NEVER IN MY LIFE, FELT SO DISAPPOINTED THIS IS BAD BUSINESS BOTTOM LINE!! FOR BRIDGESTONE AND DODGE I DIDN'T PICK THESE TIRES, YALL DID I INTRUSTED YOU AS A TIRE MANFACTURE AND DODGE AS A CAR COMPANY TO PUT THE BEST PERFORMANCE SPEED RATED TIRE FOR MY CAR ON THAT CAR I LIVE IN SEWANEE,TN ABOUT AN HOUR FROM YOUR LA VERN TENN PLANT I ALWAYS TRY TO STAY USA BUT IF THIS IS WHAT MY HARD EARNED MONEY GETS ME , ITS A SAD DAY IN THIS WORLD HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WERE ME?

NHTSA ODI #11097729

18,000 miles · May 10, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I GET REPEATED WEATHER ALERTS FROM U-CONNECT SCREEN SYSTEM. THE ALERTS COME FROM SERIUS SATELLITE TRAVEL LINK SYSTEM. THEY POP UP AND BLOCK WHATEVER IS DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN LIKE RADIO OR MAPS. THEY CONTINUE TO BLOCK THE SCREEN UNTIL THE DRIVER REACHES OVER TO TURN THEM OFF - DISTRACTING THEIR EYES AND HAND FROM DRIVING! N…

Read full complaint

I GET REPEATED WEATHER ALERTS FROM U-CONNECT SCREEN SYSTEM. THE ALERTS COME FROM SERIUS SATELLITE TRAVEL LINK SYSTEM. THEY POP UP AND BLOCK WHATEVER IS DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN LIKE RADIO OR MAPS. THEY CONTINUE TO BLOCK THE SCREEN UNTIL THE DRIVER REACHES OVER TO TURN THEM OFF - DISTRACTING THEIR EYES AND HAND FROM DRIVING! NEITHER SERIUS OR DODGE ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO TURN THEM OFF. DURING A RECENT WINTER STORM THIS WAS VERY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE MANY ROADS WERE CLOSED AND I COULDN'T FIND A WAY HOME BECAUSE THE ALERTS WERE SO FREQUENT THEY CONTINUOUSLY BLOCKED THE MAP APP - AS I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11093254

Official recalls

4

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.

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.

17V496000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Aug 8, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.

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.

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.