NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
499 reportsClear category filter19,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2013 HONDA ACCORD SPORT SUDDENLY FAIL. TWO OF WHICH OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR, WHILE MAKING A LEFT/RIGHT TURNS. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING STRA…
Read full complaint
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2013 HONDA ACCORD SPORT SUDDENLY FAIL. TWO OF WHICH OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR, WHILE MAKING A LEFT/RIGHT TURNS. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, A POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HOWEVER ON THE THIRD RECURRENCE I TRIED THE SAME THE ACT WITHOUT A CORRECTION. I THEN REALIZED THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND HAD IT TOW TO THE DEALER. I ALSO NOTIFIED HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA ON 3-18-15 AT 3:15 HRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695191
39,754 miles · Jan 30, 2015
Steering
I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. TEN MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING QUIT WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN BOTH CASES THE STEERING RE-SET ITSELF AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THEN STARTING IT BACK UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679982
53,000 miles · Jan 17, 2015
Steering
2013 HONDA ACCORD: I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET STIFF AND IMMEDIATELY THE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAD AN ISSUE. I SLOWED DOWN PROMPTLY IN THE ROAD (NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME) AND IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET IT OFF TH…
Read full complaint
2013 HONDA ACCORD: I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET STIFF AND IMMEDIATELY THE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAD AN ISSUE. I SLOWED DOWN PROMPTLY IN THE ROAD (NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME) AND IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A MOMENT JUST AS THE HONDA MANUAL INSTRUCTED AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, NOTHING HAD CHANGED, STILL LIGHT ON THE DASH AND NO POSSIBLE WAY OF ME TURNING THAT WHEEL. I CALLED AAA AND THE DRIVER OF AAA CAN VOUCH FOR THIS BECAUSE IT WAS STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION WHEN HE PICKED IT UP. THIS WAS WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 23 THAT IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON FRIDAY MORNING, AFTER DEALER WAS CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY, THEY CALLED ME SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CARI SAID REALLY!!! I EXPLAINED TO THEM AGAIN AND THEY RAN A TEST AND IT SAID IT NEEDED SOFTWARE UPDATES AND/OR ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK. BUT HONDA REQUIRES THE UPDATES TO BE INSTALLED FIRST AND THERE IS A CHARGE FOR THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. SO I SAID DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. (WHICH I THINK IS ABSURD, MICROSOFT DOESN'T CHARGE ME MONEY FOR UPDATES) WITH IT BEING OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY FOR HONDA TO BE CONTACTED (PER DEALERSHIP HONDA WAS CLOSED) SO I WENT 6 DAYS WITH NO CAR. MONDAY CAME AROUND AND HONDA APPROVED THE DEALERSHIP TO DO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON THE CAR AND WITH THE SAFETY CONCERN THEY WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STEERING RACK. I HOPE THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD THAT BOTHERS ME MORE THAN DRIVING A CAR DOWN THE ROAD AND I LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676256
38,750 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Steering
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT I LOST POWER STEERING. AFTER PULLING OFF ROAD I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE STEERING RE-SET ITSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672452
323 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Power TrainSteeringWheels
05/25/14 WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I NOTICED THE A THUMPING SOUND AND A JERKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED GREAT ALARM FROM ME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE KEPT IT FOR ABOUT A DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT TH…
Read full complaint
05/25/14 WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I NOTICED THE A THUMPING SOUND AND A JERKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED GREAT ALARM FROM ME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE KEPT IT FOR ABOUT A DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THE INSPECTOR SAID THAT THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING TO A NEW VEHICLE, THAT THE NOISE AND JERKING WAS JUST THE WAY IT WAS. THEY CALLED IT A HARD SHIFT. MY CAR IS NOT A DAILY DRIVEN VEHICLE BEING I HAVE TWO OTHER CARS THAT I PRIMARILY USE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT MY CAR HAD APROX. 303 MILES ON IT. NOW SEVERAL MONTHS LATER ON 01/01/15 WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND BEING THAT I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT ONCE TO THE DEALER AND THEM TELLING ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, I HAD NO SECOND THOUGHT OF TAKING IT OUT ON THE ROAD. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN MY RESIDENTIAL STREET AND REALIZED I HAD FORGOT SOMETHING AT HOME. SO ON THE RESIDENTIAL INTERSECTION I STARTED TO MAKE A U TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING CUT OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TURN. I NARROWLY MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STOPPED RIGHT BEFORE I HIT THE CURB AND A PARKED CAR. WHEN I DID STOP AND GOT MY COMPOSURE BACK I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ON AND A BUZZING NOISE. ALL THIS WHILE GOING NO MORE THEN 6 MILES AND HOUR. AT THIS CURRENT MOMENT MY CAR IS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THEN 400 MILES ON IT AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO SUCH A NEW CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT. FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT I GOOGLED MY CAR TO SEE IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND LORD BEHOLD I WAS NOT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE SOME RESULTING IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. BUT MOST OF THE CARS IN THOSE INCIDENTS THAT I COULD SEE HAD ABOUT 20K TO 30K MILES ON THEM AND MINE DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 1K ON IT YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670318
21,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Steering
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OVER THE STEERING OF THE CAR. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. WAS ABLE TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE WHEEL WITH ALL MY MIGHT. PULLED OVER SAFELY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. BROUGHT BY CAR INTO THE BODE SHOP FOR …
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OVER THE STEERING OF THE CAR. IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. WAS ABLE TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE WHEEL WITH ALL MY MIGHT. PULLED OVER SAFELY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. BROUGHT BY CAR INTO THE BODE SHOP FOR UNRELATED ISSUES AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WHILE MOVING THE CAR TO ANOTHER LOCATION. THEY WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR TO HONDA SERVICE FOR REVIEW. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667364
4,500 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering
SO SCARY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF YOUR CAR. I COULDN'T GET THE CAR STEERING TO MOVE, IT WAS WORSE THAN DRIVING A MAC TRUCK. I HAD A REAL HARD TIME GETTING AROUND CORNERS BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE THIS HAPPEN AT NIGHT WITH NO ONE AROUND BUT DRIVE IT TO A SAFE PLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664259
46,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering
I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING TORQUE HAD GONE BAD. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED - OVER $2K! ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS LE…
Read full complaint
I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING TORQUE HAD GONE BAD. TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED - OVER $2K! ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, I HAVE PASSED THE 35K MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS A PRETTY PAINFUL BILL TO BE FORCED TO PAY WITH SUCH A NEW CAR!! WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED IF SO MANY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS?!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664234
23,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
SteeringCrash
ON 11/22/14 I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL STREET GOING UNDER 15MPH APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET FROM THE TURN I WAS GOING TO BE MAKING. A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HEARD A BANG AND MY STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I HIT THE CURB CAUSING MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO BLOW. THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND THE VSA LIGHT WA…
Read full complaint
ON 11/22/14 I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL STREET GOING UNDER 15MPH APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET FROM THE TURN I WAS GOING TO BE MAKING. A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HEARD A BANG AND MY STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. I HIT THE CURB CAUSING MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO BLOW. THE STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND THE VSA LIGHT WAS ON. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN WHICH SHUT THE VSA LIGHT OFF AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY BUT MADE A TERRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING RACK WAS BROKEN. NOW I AM 2 WEEKS INTO THIS THE DEALERSHIP IS STRUGGLING TO GET THE CAR FIXED, HONDA HAS NOT YET RETURNED MY CALL SO NOT SURE THEY WILL WARRANTY THE CAR, I'M PAYING FOR INSURANCE ON A RENTAL AND WONDER IF MY HONDA IS EVEN A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE? IS THIS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE DYING BEFORE IT'S DEALT WITH? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662592
15,000 miles · Dec 4, 2014
Steering
LOW VOLUME...CLICKING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. HONDA KNOWS OF PROBLEM.. SAID THERE IS NO FIX AND IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS CAR. THEIR WORDS NOT MINE .... SAFETY ISSUE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662246
Official recalls
5Jun 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
5EA21002 · 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