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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

What owners actually said

1,420 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2014
Seats

THESE COMMENTS PERTAIN TO MY FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR A CAR WITHOUT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT FORCE MY HEAD DOWN TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE, PAINFUL POSITION. AT 5 FT 10 IN I AM JUST 1/2 INCH OVER THE AVERAGE MALE HEIGHT IN THE U.S. THIS SITUATION, AFFECTING MANY MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS, IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO DEVELOP BACK PROBLEMS, AND IN SOME …

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THESE COMMENTS PERTAIN TO MY FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR A CAR WITHOUT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT FORCE MY HEAD DOWN TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE, PAINFUL POSITION. AT 5 FT 10 IN I AM JUST 1/2 INCH OVER THE AVERAGE MALE HEIGHT IN THE U.S. THIS SITUATION, AFFECTING MANY MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS, IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO DEVELOP BACK PROBLEMS, AND IN SOME CASES REMOVE OR DISABLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, AND EXAMPLES OF HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY EITHER REMOVING OR TURNING AROUND HEAD RESTRAINTS. EVEN A DEALER SUGGESTED I DID THE LATTER, WHICH I WILL NOT DO. SINCE MANUFACTURERS ARE IGNORING THE ISSUE EXCEPT FOR TOP-OF-THE-LINE MODELS, THE NHTSA SHOULD INTERVENE TO FORCE A SOLUTION TO HELP CUSTOMERS RETAIN SAFETY FEATURES WHILE NOT INCURRING BACK INJURIES. THIS IS PART OF THE NARRATIVE I POSTED ON ONE OF MANY ON-LINE FORUMS ON THE SUBJECT: INTERESTED IN BUYING A 2013 HONDA ACCORD EX-L BUT I CAN'T STAND THE HEAD RESTRAINTS. I CAN'T DRIVE WITH MY HEAD LOOKING DOWN. I TESTED IT FOR 45 MINUTES AND ENDED UP WITH A BACK/NECK ACHE. I TRIED A 2012 ACCORD AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM. MY 2008 PILOT DOES NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I TRIED A NEW PILOT AND IT WAS COMFORTABLE. CLEARLY, IT MEETS SAFETY STANDARDS WITHOUT COMPROMISING DRIVER COMFORT. I FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2009. HERE'S ONE OF THOSE WEB SITES: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/ACCORD/2013/ I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL. THREE TIMES THE LADY I SPOKE WITH REPEATED THE LITANY OF "SINCE 2009 ALL HONDA CARS....ETC" REFERRING TO NEW FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS. NEVER MIND THAT THE PILOT DOES NOT SACRIFICE COMFORT FOR SAFETY. HOW CAN HONDA IGNORE SUCH A PROBLEM THAT MUST BE TURNING AWAY ACCORD BUYERS? HOW CAN HONDA IGNORE IT WHEN THEY HAVE THE SOLUTION IN ANOTHER ONE OF ITS MODELS (THE PILOT)? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610566

13,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Power Train

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO INTO REVERSE AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. THE RPM'S GO UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT WILL BEGIN MOVING VERY SLOWLY ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. ONCE IT GETS …

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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO INTO REVERSE AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. THE RPM'S GO UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE, IT WILL BEGIN MOVING VERY SLOWLY ALMOST LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. ONCE IT GETS FAR ENOUGH OUT OF THE GARAGE AND AM ABLE TO PUT IN DRIVE IT APPEARS TO WORK NORMAL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610557

8,500 miles · Jul 7, 2014
SteeringCrash

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE SERVICE CENTER AT HONDA OF BOWIE. THE SERVICE FOLKS SAID IT WAS FIXED AFTER DOING A COMPUTER UPDATE. I BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE THE PROBLEM KEPT REOCCURRING. MY HUSBAND BROU…

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MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE SERVICE CENTER AT HONDA OF BOWIE. THE SERVICE FOLKS SAID IT WAS FIXED AFTER DOING A COMPUTER UPDATE. I BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE THE PROBLEM KEPT REOCCURRING. MY HUSBAND BROUGHT IT BACK IN AGAIN ON JULY 2, 2014 BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE LAST "FIX." THE SERVICE PERSONNEL DID ANOTHER COMPUTER RESET AND MY CAR HAS HAD THE SAME POWER STEERING PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. TODAY (MONDAY, JULY 7, 2014), THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN AND STEERED THE CAR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN ANOTHER NEAR MISS. I HAVE CALLED HONDA OF BOWIE TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE BUT THEY ARE OUT OF LOANER VEHICLES SO I NEED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO AND FROM WORK. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608752

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2014
Electrical SystemTires

FALSE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATION. HONDA ACCORD OWNED FOR 12 MONTHS, LESS THAN 12,000 MILES, I HAVE RECEIVED A LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATION FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE PREVIOUS THREE TIMES, BEFORE TAKING MY ACCORD TO THE DEALERSHIP, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE. ALL FOUR TIRE PRESSURES ARE WITHIN RECOMMENDED SETTINGS. AFTER REC…

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FALSE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATION. HONDA ACCORD OWNED FOR 12 MONTHS, LESS THAN 12,000 MILES, I HAVE RECEIVED A LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATION FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE PREVIOUS THREE TIMES, BEFORE TAKING MY ACCORD TO THE DEALERSHIP, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE. ALL FOUR TIRE PRESSURES ARE WITHIN RECOMMENDED SETTINGS. AFTER RECEIVING MY VEHICLE AFTER SERVICE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS ALL FOUR TIRE PRESSURES ARE LOW. THE LAST TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATES THE TIRES NEED TO BE RE-INFLATED EVERY 2 - 3 THOUSAND MILES. CONTINUED FALSE INDICATIONS IS AS MUCH AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE INDICATOR NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606172

67,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNCIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700.

NHTSA ODI #10605909

26,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Power Train

INITIALLY CAR DROVE FINE AND I DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS. OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STANDSTILL POSITION I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR WOULD MOVE. THE HESITATION MAY LA…

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INITIALLY CAR DROVE FINE AND I DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS. OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STANDSTILL POSITION I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR WOULD MOVE. THE HESITATION MAY LAST APPROX 5 TO 8 SECONDS & THEN JERKINGLY THE CAR WOULD GET INTO PROPER GEAR TO MOVE FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED A KIT ON IT A LEAST TWICE WHICH INITIALLY SEEMED TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. ON JUNE 14TH, JUST BEFORE MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING AT ABOUT 40MPH & CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN A QUICK FORWARD JERKING MOTION & NOT GO ABOVE 40MPH. WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED THE JERKING MOTION WOULD DECLINE AS SPEED DECLINED. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR WE WENT OUT ON THE ROAD BUT THE PROBLEM NEVER MANIFESTED ITSELF. THEY'VE KEPT THE CAR TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT?S GOING ON. MEANWHILE I AM CAR-LESS. THE CAR IS NO OLDER THAN 16 MONTHS AND I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY SINCE APRIL AND THEY KEEP SAYING, IT'S NORMAL OR NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN THEY DRIVE OR HOOK IT UP TO THEIR COMPUTERS OR WE CAN'T DIAGNOSE OR FIX A PROBLEM THAT ISN'T HAPPENING WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR. THE SUPERVISOR FURTHER STATED THAT EVEN IF SOMEONE FROM HONDA HEADQUARTERS CAME THEY WOULD SAY THE SAME THING IF NOTHING HAPPENED AND WOULD GIVE THE KEY BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIX A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T MANIFEST. I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HONDA NEED TO FIX IT. HONDA KNOWS THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH THE INSERTION OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON THEIR 2013 ACCORD. WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO FIX IT? THIS IS MY VERY FIRST HONDA EXPERIENCE AND I'M TOTALLY DISSATISFIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599162

12,500 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED AND TURNED IN A FULL CIRCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN UPDATED 8/30…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED AND TURNED IN A FULL CIRCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN UPDATED 8/30/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10597052

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2014
Seats

HEAD RESTS ON SEATS ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE YOU NEED TO LEAN FORWARD AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING WE REMOVED THE HEAD REST, THOU IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596005

3,987 miles · May 30, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,987 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,100.

NHTSA ODI #10595068

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2014
Unknown Or Other

WENT TO START THE CAR, THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON, EVERYTHING WORKS BUT CAR WON'T START. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594959

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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