NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,420 reports3,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
SteeringStructureCrashInjury
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED FREE SPINNING AND THE TIRES WERE NOT CONTROLLED BY THE STEERING WHEEL ANY LONGER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT A WALL AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. HONDA HAS NEVER COME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AS I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD. MY V…
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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED FREE SPINNING AND THE TIRES WERE NOT CONTROLLED BY THE STEERING WHEEL ANY LONGER. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT A WALL AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. HONDA HAS NEVER COME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AS I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD. MY VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING AT THE LOCAL HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT ANYTHING DONE TO IT. HONDA WILL NOT LOOK INTO WHAT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING. *TR UPDATED 06/13/13*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10500539
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2013
Seats
THE SEATS ARE HORRIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED, THEY MAKE YOU HUNCH OVER, WHERE YOUR SPINE IS IN THE SHAPE OF A C, INSTEAD OF HOW IT SHOULD BE. THE HEADREST PUSHES YOUR HEAD FORWARD THAT FURTHERS THE PAIN. I GOT A LUMBAR CUSHION (TO MAKE DRIVING THE CAR BEARABLE), BUT NOW THERE IS AN GAP BETWEEN MY UPPER BACK AN…
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THE SEATS ARE HORRIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED, THEY MAKE YOU HUNCH OVER, WHERE YOUR SPINE IS IN THE SHAPE OF A C, INSTEAD OF HOW IT SHOULD BE. THE HEADREST PUSHES YOUR HEAD FORWARD THAT FURTHERS THE PAIN. I GOT A LUMBAR CUSHION (TO MAKE DRIVING THE CAR BEARABLE), BUT NOW THERE IS AN GAP BETWEEN MY UPPER BACK AND THE SEAT. I'VE ALSO HAD TO TURN AROUND THE HEADREST, BECAUSE IT WAS HURTING MY NECK PUSHING MY NECK SO FAR FORWARD WHEN THE REST OF ME IS SET BACK. PLEASE FIX THIS!!!!! NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PAIN WITH A NEW CAR OR ANY CAR. MAKE THE HEADRESTS ADJUSTABLE AND SEATS WITH ERGONOMIC SUPPORT STANDARD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499744
10 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Power Train
WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM 20+ MPH TO COME TO A STOP THERE IS A NOTICEABLE JERK (WHEN THE RPM INDICATOR IS CLOSE TO 1) BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN I NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR SIGNAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498439
500 miles · Feb 11, 2013
SeatsInjury
I PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA ACCORD AFTER MY FORMER CAR WAS REAR ENDED AND I SUFFERED SEVERE WHIPLASH AND BACK PAIN. AS A RESULT OF THIS I DID NOT REALIZE THE POOR DESIGN OF THE SEAT, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE HEAD RESTS. IN MY TEST DRIVE LASTING 10 - 15 MINUTES I DID NOT NOTICE IT, BUT AFTER TWO WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP AND DRIVING THE…
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I PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA ACCORD AFTER MY FORMER CAR WAS REAR ENDED AND I SUFFERED SEVERE WHIPLASH AND BACK PAIN. AS A RESULT OF THIS I DID NOT REALIZE THE POOR DESIGN OF THE SEAT, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE HEAD RESTS. IN MY TEST DRIVE LASTING 10 - 15 MINUTES I DID NOT NOTICE IT, BUT AFTER TWO WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP AND DRIVING THE CAR 1 HOUR EACH WAY TO AND FROM WORK, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE HEAD REST STICKS OUT SO FAR THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET COMFORTABLE IN THE CAR, AND ADDITIONALLY, IT HURT THE THORACIC PORTION OF MY MIDDLE BACK. I KNOW THIS, BECAUSE ALTHOUGH I AM STILL IN PHYSICAL THERAPY, ON THE WEEKEND WHEN I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR MY BACK HURTS MUCH LESS THAN IT DOES DURING THE WEEK WHEN I MAKE MY COMMUTE TO WORK. ADDITIONALLY THIS WEEKEND MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR FOR A LONG DRIVE AND SHE SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PAIN THAT I SUFFERED FROM. IT IS SO BAD, WE HAD TO CUT OUR TRIP SHORT. I CONTACTED THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT A REQUIREMENT BY THE US GOVERNMENT. THEREFORE I AM CONTACTING YOU CONCERNING HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497762
100 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Electrical SystemCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE BACK UP CAMERA AND THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE BACK UP CAMERA AND THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE TO NOTIFY THE CONTACT THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
NHTSA ODI #10496902
3,000 miles · Feb 6, 2013
SteeringStructureWheelsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A CAR WAS VEERING INTO MY LANE. AS I WENT TO THE LEFT MY STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT SPINNING AND THE TIRES WERE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE TIRES. WE JERKED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM LANE TO LANE UNTIL WE FINALLY CRA…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A CAR WAS VEERING INTO MY LANE. AS I WENT TO THE LEFT MY STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT SPINNING AND THE TIRES WERE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CORRESPONDING WITH THE TIRES. WE JERKED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM LANE TO LANE UNTIL WE FINALLY CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF THE HIGHWAY. WE THEN SPUN OUT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE RESTED. HONDA HAD NOT RESPONDED AT THIS TIME BUT EVERYONE INCLUDING THE GUYS AT THE HIS BODY SHIP FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496636
224 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobility
THIS CAR HAS PUSH BUTTON START ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE CAN BE CUT OFF WITH CAR IN ANY GEAR AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN PARK. I LEFT THE CAR IN DRIVE ON A HILL AND WENT TO GET OUT AND THE CAR WAS DRIFTING FORWARD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR SAFETY FEATURES AND THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN. HAS COLLISION ,LANE CHANGE WARNINGS AND THEY ARE…
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THIS CAR HAS PUSH BUTTON START ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE CAN BE CUT OFF WITH CAR IN ANY GEAR AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN PARK. I LEFT THE CAR IN DRIVE ON A HILL AND WENT TO GET OUT AND THE CAR WAS DRIFTING FORWARD. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR SAFETY FEATURES AND THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN. HAS COLLISION ,LANE CHANGE WARNINGS AND THEY ARE SO LOW YOU CAN NOT HEAR THEM. I AM 67 AND MY HUSBAND IS 71 AND THIS IS NOT A SAFE CAR FOR OUR AGE GROUP.CALLED HONDA AND THE WARNINGS CAN NOT BE CUT UP AND THERE IS NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT CAR DRIFTING IF YOU DO NOT PUT IN PARK. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496064
330 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
ON 1/16/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT CAME ON AND BLINKED OFF AND ON THREE TIMES AND WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE GAS CAP WAS CHECKED IT WAS NOT LOOSE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT THEN CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED OVER THE PHONE AND A TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS NORMAL A…
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ON 1/16/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT CAME ON AND BLINKED OFF AND ON THREE TIMES AND WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE GAS CAP WAS CHECKED IT WAS NOT LOOSE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT THEN CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED OVER THE PHONE AND A TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS NORMAL AND THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WOULD GO OUT.THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS YOU COULD SMELL FUEL IN THE CAR IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE A FAULTY GAS TANK THAT WAS LEAKING AT A SEAM. NO LEAKAGE WAS NOTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS REPLACING THE GAS TANK UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493755
25 miles · Jan 16, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM 20+ MPH TO COME TO A STOP THERE IS A NOTICEABLE JERK (WHEN THE RPM INDICATOR IS CLOSE TO 1) BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (GUN HONDA, SAN ANTONIO) AND THE TECHNICIAN COULD REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT MENTIONED IT AS A FEATURE OF THE NEW CVT TRA…
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WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM 20+ MPH TO COME TO A STOP THERE IS A NOTICEABLE JERK (WHEN THE RPM INDICATOR IS CLOSE TO 1) BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (GUN HONDA, SAN ANTONIO) AND THE TECHNICIAN COULD REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT MENTIONED IT AS A FEATURE OF THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION AND SAID HE DOESN'T KNOW OF ANY WAY TO FIX THE SAME. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN I NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR SIGNAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493229
1,034 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Visibility
AFFECTED PARTS: WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY TIME, ABOUT 8:45 AM: A GENTLE RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED SO I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO SLOW AND STEADY (NOT INTERMITTENT). THE WATER PILED UP ON THE WINDSHIELD TO THE LEFT BY THE DOOR POST AND TO THE RIGHT NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUED …
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AFFECTED PARTS: WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY TIME, ABOUT 8:45 AM: A GENTLE RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED SO I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO SLOW AND STEADY (NOT INTERMITTENT). THE WATER PILED UP ON THE WINDSHIELD TO THE LEFT BY THE DOOR POST AND TO THE RIGHT NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUED TO STAY THERE UNTIL I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN OFF THE ROAD. THE RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) WAS CLEAR. THE WATER RESTRICTED MY VIEW TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT (FROM THE LEFT DOOR POST TO ABOUT 10:30 CLOCK POSITION, AND FROM ABOUT 1:30 TO 2:30 POSITION. DANGEROUS IN STANDARD DAYLIGHT, BUT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, OR WITH A MUCH HEAVIER RAIN. THE CAR IS NEW AND THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ENOUGH RAIN THAT I'VE HAD TO TURN THE WIPERS ON STEADY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493070
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