NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,420 reports59,000 miles · Nov 22, 2019
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT TO GET IN THE TURN LANE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO MOVE. I WAS ABLE WHILE STRUGGLING TO MAKE THE TURN. IT WAS LUCKY AS THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEALER AND NOW HAVE A $3,000 REPAIR BILL TO FIX THE POWER STEE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT TO GET IN THE TURN LANE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO MOVE. I WAS ABLE WHILE STRUGGLING TO MAKE THE TURN. IT WAS LUCKY AS THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEALER AND NOW HAVE A $3,000 REPAIR BILL TO FIX THE POWER STEERING. I HAVE NOTICED ALL THE COMPLAINTS GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11281739
21,600 miles · Nov 17, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
THIS PROBLEM STARTED TWO YEARS AGO AND GOT WORSE IN MAY. IT ALL STARTED WHE WE HAD A ROUGH TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 6 TIME UNTIL THE CAR WOULD FINALLY START. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY SO WE CHANGED THE BATTER UP TO FOUR TIME AND IT STILL KEPT HAVING STARTING ISSUES SO THEN WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE STA…
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THIS PROBLEM STARTED TWO YEARS AGO AND GOT WORSE IN MAY. IT ALL STARTED WHE WE HAD A ROUGH TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 6 TIME UNTIL THE CAR WOULD FINALLY START. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY SO WE CHANGED THE BATTER UP TO FOUR TIME AND IT STILL KEPT HAVING STARTING ISSUES SO THEN WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE STARTER SO WE HAD IT REPLACED AND WE ARE STILL HAVING ISSUES AND NOW THE CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES AND IT FINALLY TURNED OVER. OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR FOR 13 WEEKS AND TOLD US THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE STARTING ISSUES AND THEN TOLD US A FEW DAYS LATER THEY DIDNT PUSH THE BUTTON IN LONG ENOUGH SO IT WAS THERE MECHANICS FAULT AND THEN TELL US THEY FIND A DRAW ON THE BATTERY AND A FEW DAYS LATER TELLS US THERE MECHANIC USED A FAULTY METER AND THEN THEY BLAME IT ON OUR INTERNET, SMART TVS, GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND WIFI. I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE EXCUSES AND NEED A CAR THAT'S NOT GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED AND THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR OUT OF TOWN RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE. I DO HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE HAD TO COME TO MY RESCUE TO JUMP START MY CAR OR WE HAVE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE HAD TWO ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE STARTING ISSUES AND THE BATTERY DRAINING AND THEY BOTH TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE LOTS OF VIDEO AND DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT THE CAR IS DOING AND ALSO FRIENDS THAT WILL SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF. NO ONE WILL RIDE WITH ME ANYMORE IN FEAR THE CAR WONT START OR STALL WHILE STOPPED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES TWO YEARS AGO BUT GOT ALOT WORSE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11280568
60,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Engine
ALONG SEVERAL OTHERS, I BEGAN HAVING THE INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS ON MY 2013 2.4 L ACCORD AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS TYPE OF STARTER USES A SOLENOID TO MOVE THE STARTER MOTOR'S PINION GEAR FORWARD TO MESH WITH THE FLYWHEEL'S RING GEAR WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING THE PLUNGER AND ITS COPPER CONTACT DISC ONTO THE BATTERY …
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ALONG SEVERAL OTHERS, I BEGAN HAVING THE INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS ON MY 2013 2.4 L ACCORD AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS TYPE OF STARTER USES A SOLENOID TO MOVE THE STARTER MOTOR'S PINION GEAR FORWARD TO MESH WITH THE FLYWHEEL'S RING GEAR WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PULLING THE PLUNGER AND ITS COPPER CONTACT DISC ONTO THE BATTERY CONTACT AND THE STARTER MOTOR CONTACT TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER MOTOR. WHEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, TURNING THE IGNITION KEY OR STARTER BUTTON SHOULD MESH STARTER'S PINION GEAR WITH THE FLYWHEEL AND TURN THE STARTER MOTOR TO CRANK THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WITH THESE STARTERS IS THAT THE BATTERY-SIDE CONTACT AND THE BATTERY-SIDE OF THE PLUNGER CONTACT ERODE EXCESSIVELY DUE TO ARCING AND CONSEQUENT PITTING. THIS INTERMITTENTLY PREVENTS THE PLUNGER'S CONTACT FROM CONTACTING THE BATTERY-SIDE CONTACT TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND STARTER MOTOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE PINION GEAR MESHES WITH THE FLYWHEEL BUT THE STARTER MOTOR DOESN'T TURN. NOTE THAT THE PINION GEAR ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING THE FLYWHEEL IS THE CLICKING SOUND HEARD FROM UNDER THE CAR DURING A FAILED START. THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED BY REPLACING THE CONTACTS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN HONDA BRUSH HOLDER (HONDA PART NUMBER: 31210-5A2-A01) WHICH COST ME $45 AT MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. I BELIEVE 2013 THROUGH 2017 2.4 L ACCORDS USE THIS PART WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THEY WILL, OR ARE, EXPERIENCING THE INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. ONE WOULD THINK HONDA WOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11280317
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2019
Structure
PAINT IS FLACKYING FROM CAR. VISIBLE AREAS THAT CAN BE SEEING WHERE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY AND PRIMER IS EXPOSED. I HAVE ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE CAR IN OR SEND PICTURES TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS NOT DO TO LACK OF CARE. MY VEHICLE LOOKS AND RUNS EXCELLENT. LARGE AREAS OF PEELING PAINT THAT CAN EASILY BE SEEN.I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMP…
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PAINT IS FLACKYING FROM CAR. VISIBLE AREAS THAT CAN BE SEEING WHERE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY AND PRIMER IS EXPOSED. I HAVE ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE CAR IN OR SEND PICTURES TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS NOT DO TO LACK OF CARE. MY VEHICLE LOOKS AND RUNS EXCELLENT. LARGE AREAS OF PEELING PAINT THAT CAN EASILY BE SEEN.I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT CONTACTING BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND AMERICAN HONDA, YET I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS AT A RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11279363
175,000 miles · Nov 6, 2019
SteeringCrash
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. I TRAVEL ABOUT 30K A YEAR. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY METICULOUS WITH THE EXTERIOR AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE COURSE OF MY TRAVELS, I HAVE ON AT LEAST 4-5 OCCASIONS HAD DIFFICULTY CHANGING LANES. MORE SPECIFIC, WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE AT LOW SPEED (5-35 MPH) I…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. I TRAVEL ABOUT 30K A YEAR. I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY METICULOUS WITH THE EXTERIOR AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE COURSE OF MY TRAVELS, I HAVE ON AT LEAST 4-5 OCCASIONS HAD DIFFICULTY CHANGING LANES. MORE SPECIFIC, WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE AT LOW SPEED (5-35 MPH) I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE. THE ABILITY TO STEER CAME BACK QUICKLY, BUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO, A TURN WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THIS PAST WEEK, ON 10/30/2019, A SIMILAR SCENARIO TRANSPIRED. I WAS STOPPED AT A "STOP" SIGN AND NEEDED CROSS AN INTERSECTION AND MAKE A LEFT TURN. JUST WHEN IT WAS TIME TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN LEFT. AS THERE WAS AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE SLOW DOWN BUT STRUCK A CURB WITH MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE IMPACT BEAT UP THE RIM PRETTY BAD AND DEFLATED THE TIRE. I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND HEADED TO A NEAR MECHANIC, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE INCLUDED CRACKED RIM, POWER STEERING RACK AND ELECTRONIC STEERING BOX TO NAME A FEW. IN RESEARCHING PARTS, I CAME ACROSS MANY INCIDENTS IN WHICH A 2013 HONDA ACCORD HAS HAD FAILED STEERING CAPABILITY. I CONTACTED HONDA (CASE #10012315), THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM NOW, NOR IN THE PAST AND COULD NOT COMMENT ON PROBLEMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OLD AND HAD A LOT OF MILES. THEY TOLD ME "YOU HAD AN ACCIDENT, WHY ARE YOU CALLING HONDA, YOU SHOULD BE CALLING AN INSURANCE COMPANY". HONDA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I EXPRESSED MY REGRET IN NOT PURCHASING A FUTURE HONDA VEHICLE... SHAME ON HONDA.
NHTSA ODI #11278511
78,000 miles · Nov 3, 2019
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE, MOTHER IN-LAW AND MY TWO YEARS DAUGHTER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD AND STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY! I TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT IT WAS VERY DIFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I STOPPED THE TO C…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE, MOTHER IN-LAW AND MY TWO YEARS DAUGHTER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD AND STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY! I TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT IT WAS VERY DIFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I STOPPED THE TO CHECK MY PHONE ON WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE? THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE BEFORE AND HAD REPORTED IT TO THE NHTSA. BUT NOTHING WAS DONE! I CARE FOR MY FAMILY' SAFETY AND I WILL HOLD THE NHTSA RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY DUE TO THIS ISSUE.THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HONDA.
NHTSA ODI #11277818
49,500 miles · Nov 2, 2019
Steering
THE CAR LOOSES ITS STEERING CONTROL. WHEN STATIONARY (AND DRIVING), IF I TAKE MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING, IT AUTOMATICALLY STEERS ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. IT SOMETIMES RESETS THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED OR WHEN IT IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN SHORTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT LIKE …
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THE CAR LOOSES ITS STEERING CONTROL. WHEN STATIONARY (AND DRIVING), IF I TAKE MY HANDS OFF THE STEERING, IT AUTOMATICALLY STEERS ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. IT SOMETIMES RESETS THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS RESTARTED OR WHEN IT IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN SHORTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT LIKE OTHERS, I ONLY GOT A BIG BILL OF $2800.
NHTSA ODI #11277659
83,300 miles · Oct 31, 2019
Electrical System
REPEATED IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE ON 2013 HONDA ACCORD V6 TOURING WITH PUSH BUTTON START THAT LEFT MY DAUGHTER AND ME STRANDED ON A NIGHT WHEN IT WAS ONLY 13 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. PUSH BUTTON START ONLY RESULTED IN A GRINDING NOISE, NO ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE FLYWHEEL TO START THE ENGINE. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE TORQUE…
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REPEATED IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE ON 2013 HONDA ACCORD V6 TOURING WITH PUSH BUTTON START THAT LEFT MY DAUGHTER AND ME STRANDED ON A NIGHT WHEN IT WAS ONLY 13 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. PUSH BUTTON START ONLY RESULTED IN A GRINDING NOISE, NO ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE FLYWHEEL TO START THE ENGINE. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER ONCE (AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALER TO FIX THIS ISSUE) WITH THE SAME RESULTING GRINDING NOISE AND FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO START. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO HONDA CORPORATION MANY TIMES; IT IS A POORLY ENGINEERED AND FAULTY DESIGN THAT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CANNOT FIX.
NHTSA ODI #11277231
118,000 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Forward Collision Avoidance
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN EAGLE HONDA OF HOUSTON (18787 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77065, (281) 528-1165) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN EAGLE HONDA OF HOUSTON (18787 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77065, (281) 528-1165) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11276908
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2019
Electrical System
SOMETIMES MY 2013 HONDA ACCORD CAR WON'T START IMMEDIATELY. IT WAS STATIONARY. I HAVE TO WAIT A MINUTE AFTER THE FIRST FEW TRIES. IT A STARTER ISSUE. IT NOT THE BATTERY I PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY AND I I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11271513
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