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2013 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Accord years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Accord are substantially higher than the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

882 reports with mileage · 538 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.

  • Steering. Review the 499 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 414 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports9 fire reports42 injury reports

Steering complaints

499 reports
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22,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Steering

STEERING WHEEL IS STIFFER TO THE RIGHT THAN TO THE LEFT. I NEED EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #10781048

20,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Steering

I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES AND IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER STEERING. I AM A BIG GUY AND I HAVE TO USE A LOT OF STRENGTH TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART CAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED 3X TIME IN THE LAST MONTH

NHTSA ODI #10780969

28,850 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Steering

ON JULY 2, 2015 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, POWER STEERING FAILED AND INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY, SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE, AND I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHOULD NOT REOCCUR. ON OCT 6, 2015, WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, IT FAILED AGAIN. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND TOLD THEY WILL NOW REPLACE GEARBOX. I ASKED…

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ON JULY 2, 2015 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, POWER STEERING FAILED AND INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY, SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE, AND I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHOULD NOT REOCCUR. ON OCT 6, 2015, WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, IT FAILED AGAIN. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND TOLD THEY WILL NOW REPLACE GEARBOX. I ASKED WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS AND HOW THIS FIX WILL WORK AND WAS TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW! THEY'RE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, AND APPEARS HONDA DOES NOT TRULY KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10780466

44,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE ON SEPTEMBER 13 2015 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. DROVE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING HOME SYSTEM RESET THE NEXT DAY. FAILURE AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 28. DROPPED OFF AT HONDA DEALER LOU SOBH IN CUMMING GA

NHTSA ODI #10778319

25,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

CANNOT STEER WHEN TURNING AND WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS KEEP TURNING, CANNOT GET THE SPEED UP NORMALLY HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS HARD FOR CAR TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI #10765246

35,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Steering

I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW AND ABOUT A MONTH INTO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN CLEARED. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I…

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I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW AND ABOUT A MONTH INTO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN CLEARED. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVNT HAD ANY PROBLEMS UP UNTIL LAST WEEK. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE EPS LIGHT COMES ON. I HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR OVER A FEW LANES TO GET TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE EPS LIGHT CLEARS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION GOES BACK TO NORMAL. SINCE THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE I FIGURED IT WILL BE FINE. I THOUGHT THAT UNTIL MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AGAIN A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THEN AGAIN AS I AM A FEW MILES FROM HOME. I HAD TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL AND FROM SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY AND ONLY HAD ACCESS TO MY CAR AND MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND I'M SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR LATER ON THIS WEEK TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #10764450

48,460 miles · Sep 11, 2015
Steering

DURING A TRIP TO VIRGINIA FROM FLA. I STOPPED AT ROCK HILL CAROLINS FOR GAS. UPON LEAVING THE STATION AND BEFORE GETTING BACK ON 95 NORTH MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR RESETTING THE STEERING. APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES LATER ON 95 THE STEERING FAILED A SECOND TIME. I AGAIN MADE THE NEXT EXIT A…

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DURING A TRIP TO VIRGINIA FROM FLA. I STOPPED AT ROCK HILL CAROLINS FOR GAS. UPON LEAVING THE STATION AND BEFORE GETTING BACK ON 95 NORTH MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR RESETTING THE STEERING. APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES LATER ON 95 THE STEERING FAILED A SECOND TIME. I AGAIN MADE THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO RESET EVERYTHING. I TURNED AROUND AND WENT HOME WITH NO SUBSEQUENT FAILURES. THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC MODULE WAS REPLACED BY HONDA APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO OR LESS AND THIS IS A REPEAT OF THE SYMPTOMS AT THAT TIME. THIS IS A PRINCIPAL SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10763042

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2015
Steering

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED IN THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER.

NHTSA ODI #10760682

27,614 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A CAUTION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS WITHIN A FEW MILES OF A HONDA DEALERSHIP, SO I DROVE THERE. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON; AND, THE POWER STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. I WAS TOLD THE PRO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A CAUTION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS WITHIN A FEW MILES OF A HONDA DEALERSHIP, SO I DROVE THERE. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON; AND, THE POWER STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS TRANSITORY AND I RESUMED TRAVELING ON I-95. LESS THAN 20 MILES LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND ONCE AGAIN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. LATER THAT SAME DAY, WHILE DRIVING ON ANOTHER HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CAUTION INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO DAYS LATER AT ANOTHER HONDA DEALERSHIP. ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC AT 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES BEFORE I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER. THAT DAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY CLEARED THE FAULT INDICATOR FROM THE COMPUTER'S MEMORY; AND, TOLD ME TO RETURN IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, WHILE TRAVELING ON AN EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ONE MORE TIME, ALONG WITH THE INDICATOR LIGHT AGAIN APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE SAME TIME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME, THAT AFTER TALKING WITH HONDA ADVISORS VIA TELEPHONE, HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM; AND, INSTRUCTED THEM ON A FIX. AFTER PERFORMING THAT FIX, THEY SAID HONDA INFORMED THEM, THAT IF THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T FAIL WITHIN 500 MILES, IT WOULDN'T RECUR IN THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES SINCE THE FIX, THE POWER STEERING AGAIN FAILED. THE CAR IS GOING BACK TO HONDA, AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10760590

40,650 miles · Aug 28, 2015
Steering

THE CAR HAS LOST POWER STEERING ON THREE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST ONE AND ONE HALF WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME, 8/19/2015, AFTER WAITING AT A RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE TURN. I FORCED THE TURN AND COULD SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, READ THE MANUAL, THEN TURNED THE C…

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THE CAR HAS LOST POWER STEERING ON THREE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST ONE AND ONE HALF WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME, 8/19/2015, AFTER WAITING AT A RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE TURN. I FORCED THE TURN AND COULD SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, READ THE MANUAL, THEN TURNED THE CAR ON AND DROVE THE LESS THAN A MILE TO MY HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. ON 8/26/2015, AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM HOME AT NOT MORE THAN 20-30 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR LOST STEERING POWER AGAIN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. I RETURNED HOME AND DROVE THE CAR LESS THAN 20 MILES TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN WESLEY CHAPEL FLORIDA. THEY KEPT THE CAR. WHEN I PICKED IT UP ON 8/27/2015, I WAS TOLD THAT A SOFTWARE UPDATE HAD BEEN DONE. ON 8/28/2015, I DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AROUND TOWN DOING ERRANDS. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO BACK OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT, I NOTICED THE STEERING SYMBOL WAS LIGHTED AND FOUND THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THEN RIGHT BACK ON AND RETURNED HOME. I AM NOW GOING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE HONDA DEALER IN WESLEY CHAPEL.

NHTSA ODI #10760000

Official recalls

5

25V422000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 19, 2025

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The driveshaft may corrode and break, due to damage from road salt or other contaminants.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OM2. This recall expands previous recall number 20V769.

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

20V769000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Dec 10, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

17V418000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Jun 29, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge. Dealers will perform an interim remedy of applying adhesive to the case to prevent water intrusion. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KG0.

13V297000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Jul 8, 2013

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Accord vehicles that are Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) II rated that were manufactured January 15, 2013, through April 5, 2013. The fuel tank neck may be out of specification causing the fuel pump to not properly seal to the fuel tank.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficent seal may led to a fuel leak which increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, nut and O-ring gasket free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Honda's recall number is JA9. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000.

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

5

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.

EA21001 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened May 6, 2021 · Closed Aug 25, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

On May 6, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess a sudden loss of steering control, in Model Year (MY) 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles. Consumers alleged while driving the steering wheel would pull to the left or the right independently. Steering pull may pose a risk of loss of directional control. Honda stated that they believed the inadvertent steering input was caused by a loose magnet located within the electronic power steering (EPS) system. Due to poor formulation of the adhesive, this magnet can become loose and move up to 2 degrees around the steering column. When the magnet moves, the torque sensor generates a signal that results in unwanted steering in either direction. Honda stated the steering force required to maintain directional control with a loose magnet is a maximum of 3-pound feet. The maximum force of the unwanted steering input can be overcome by the driver and is similar to driving on grooved pavement.The Vehicle Research Test Center (VRTC) sent over 4,000 questionnaires to 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicle owners. Of the 637 responses, 58 consumers experienced unwanted steering. Consumers experiencing unwanted steering did not report difficulties maintaining directional control. There were no crashes or injuries reported to VRTC. Testing done by VRTC was not able to reproduce the allegations. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition has a relatively low failure rate. The poor adhesive formulation was addressed by the supplier with three (3) counter measures in the manufacturing process.There has been a declining trend in consumer complaints to NHTSA which indicates possible exhaustion of parts prone to failure. In view of the low rate, declining complaint trend, the nature of failure, and resolution of the adhesive formulation, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11538714, 11528538, 11528008, 11522953, 11496557, 11495837, 11494328, 11478680, 11477167, 11476758, 11476263, 11471198, 11470001, 11467026, 11466561, 11466016, 11465626, 11464143, 11463558, 11462759, 11461500, 11460777, 11460191, 11455540, 11454334, 11452198, 11448114, 11447666, 11444888, 11444823, 11444172, 11443324, 11443243, 11443105, 11441374, 11439520, 11438345, 11437261, 11436824, 11436350, 11435994, 11435079, 11434969, 11434545, 11434442, 11434381, 11433824, 11433745, 11433555, 11433368, 11433176, 11431206, 11430465, 11430253, 11430009, 11429253, 11428301, 11427449, 11426841, 11426340, 11425928, 11425261, 11425230, 11423611, 11423245, 11422445, 11422395, 11422351, 11422220, 11422138, 11422069, 11421683, 11421589, 11421540, 11420573, 11419338, 11419270, 11418147, 11418143, 11417768, 11417742, 11417570, 11417437, 11416804, 11416699, 11416401, 11416378, 11416375, 11416155, 11416117, 11416084, 11416051, 11416032, 11416028, 11416024, 11416000, 11415933, 11415915, 11414105, 11406220, 11398736 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698, 11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11154891

DP20005 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened Nov 23, 2020 · Closed May 7, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated October 19, 2020 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect in the steering system in Model Year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. The petitioner alleges that MY2013 Honda accord vehicles are experiencing a sudden loss of steering control as the vehicle veers from its intended path of travel. The petitioner further alleges that this deviation from the intended path of travel occurs without warning or driver input while operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11349961.On November 23, 2020, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP20-005) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. ODI sent two Information Request (IR) letters to Honda requesting information on steering anomalies in MY2013 Honda Accord vehicles and later MY2014-2015 Honda Accord vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Honda as well as information in NHTSA's database.Based on ODI's review of the applicable materials, including responses to the IR letters sent to Honda, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and Early Warning Reporting data, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition. ODI has opened an Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect, a sudden loss of steering control.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers:11414105, 11406220, 11398736, 11387462 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698 ,11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11324181, 11306112, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11278511, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11156378, 11154891, 11131050

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE14033 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Nov 4, 2014 · Closed Oct 6, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-033 to investigate 24 complaints alleging loss of power steering while driving in model year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).Analysis of service data for the original 24 complaints and 33 additional complaints received after PE14-033 was opened found that 85 percent of the vehicles with diagnostic trouble codes available to identify the faulty component had a code indicating torque sensor failure (DTC 53).In its response to ODI's information request letter for PE14-033, Honda identified two manufacturing process conditions that may have affected the quality of some early production torque sensors.Analysis of warranty returns and manufacturing processes determined that a relatively small number of torque sensors were potentially affected by the conditions, which were corrected by the supplier (Bourns) relatively early in production.Analysis of warranty data indicates that both conditions were early-life failure concerns and most of the affected sensors have already failed, resulting in a cumulative failure rate of less than 0.2 percent.Of the 20 VOQ's that appear to be related to torque sensor failure, 6 reported failure dates in 2013, 12 in 2014, and just 2 to date in 2015.ODI's analysis identified 2 minor crashes with no injuries that may have been related to torque sensor failure in the subject vehicles.This investigation is closed because the low failure rate and a declining trend indicate that failures are rare.The closing of this preliminary evaluation does not constitute a determination that no defect exists or that power steering failures do not present an unreasonable risk to safety. The VOQ's referenced in this resume are:10515618, 10515696, 10537336, 10542360, 10545177, 10563724, 10588425, 10595068, 10605909, 10627926, 10629629, 10630852, 10644762, 10654768, 10661240, 10664234, 10667364, 10672452, 10676256, and 10695191

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