HELLO GOOD MORNING, YESTERDAY I WAS GETTING HOME AND I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN I RELEASE THE PEDAL MY CAR WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKING SLOT AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH, SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CARD ACCELERATED IT SELF HITTING A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE A LITTLE INJURED IN MY HAND BUT N…
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HELLO GOOD MORNING, YESTERDAY I WAS GETTING HOME AND I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN I RELEASE THE PEDAL MY CAR WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKING SLOT AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH, SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CARD ACCELERATED IT SELF HITTING A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE A LITTLE INJURED IN MY HAND BUT NOTHING I THINK SERIOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493603
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts
WHENEVER THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT MOVES A LITTLE BIT, THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. AND I GET A BIG NOTICE SAYING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS VERY SCARY IN MOST SITUATIONS. I WOULD NEED THIS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491668
1,000 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Air Bags
HONDA CIVIC 2012 HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR SYSTEM. MY SON WHO IS 14 YEARS OLD AND 102 LBS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN HE MAKES ANY SHIFTS LIKE LEAN ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, THE AUTO WARNS THE AIRBAG IS OFF. WE SEE THIS WARNING WITH BIG ILLUMINATION. WHEN THE PASSENGER CENTERS HIMSELF ON THE SEAT, T…
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HONDA CIVIC 2012 HAS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR SYSTEM. MY SON WHO IS 14 YEARS OLD AND 102 LBS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN HE MAKES ANY SHIFTS LIKE LEAN ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, THE AUTO WARNS THE AIRBAG IS OFF. WE SEE THIS WARNING WITH BIG ILLUMINATION. WHEN THE PASSENGER CENTERS HIMSELF ON THE SEAT, THE WARNING GOES AWAY. THE LEAN CAN BE ON ANY SIDE. THE SLIGHTEST LEAN SUCH THAT HIS LEFT LEG IS NOT PUTTING ALL THE WEIGHT CAN TRIGGER THIS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AND HE SAYS THIS IS BY DESIGN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO HONDA MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ARE LOGGED A REPORT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS WITH TOYOTA, LEXUS, HYUNDAI. EVEN WITH A YOUNGER KID IT DOES NOT TRIGGER AIRBAG WARNING. SO THIS IS HONDA CIVIC DEFECT WHICH CAN BE CATASTROPHIC IN ACCIDENT SITUATION WHERE THE PASSENGER WILL BE SHIFTED BY COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489499
12,000 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 4 TO 5 MPH A CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF AN INJURY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 4 TO 5 MPH A CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF AN INJURY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10489438
150 miles · Nov 2, 2012
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER MOVED THEIR WEIGHT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER MOVED THEIR WEIGHT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150.
NHTSA ODI #10483189
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2012
Air BagsExterior LightingInterior Lighting
2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM GEAR SHIFT. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD LEAVE LINES AND SMEARS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINA…
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2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM GEAR SHIFT. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD LEAVE LINES AND SMEARS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM THE HEATER, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON FOR AN HOUR. THE DIMMER LIGHTS DIDN'T CHANGE FROM HIGH TO LOW, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RELEASE WHEN SHE MOVED FORWARD, INSTEAD IT LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF CARBON MONOXIDE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE RUBBER SLIDES IN EACH WINDOW DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY, BECAUSE OF THE MOISTURE ON THE WINDOWS.
NHTSA ODI #10476163
916 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TURNED LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE TO PARK. I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC, WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT BUMP…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TURNED LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE TO PARK. I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC, WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SCRAPED AND KNOCKED OUT OF PLACE. AMERICAN HONDA HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT BUT REFUSES TO RELEASE ITS REPORT TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466300
8,023 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY 8 MONTH OLD, 2012 HONDA CIVIC. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BEFORE I COULD STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED, JUMPED A CURB AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE CAR BOUNCED BACKWARDS ONTO THE P…
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I WAS TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY 8 MONTH OLD, 2012 HONDA CIVIC. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BEFORE I COULD STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED, JUMPED A CURB AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO A BRICK BUILDING. THE CAR BOUNCED BACKWARDS ONTO THE PARKING LOT AND I WAS ABLE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND REGAIN CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF A SPLIT SECOND WITH NO TIME TO JAM THE BRAKE ON AS THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR JOLTED TREMENDOUSLY, THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF, BUT A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING "CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM." *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462086
3,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Air Bags
HI, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE IN REGARDS TO MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC CPE. THE ISSUE IS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. IN JANUARY WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS 9 YR OLD SON SAT IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOR 2 MILE RIDE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SIGN SHOWED THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF. I CAN SEE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF ALL WHILE DURING MY D…
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HI, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR NOTICE IN REGARDS TO MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC CPE. THE ISSUE IS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. IN JANUARY WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS 9 YR OLD SON SAT IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOR 2 MILE RIDE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SIGN SHOWED THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF. I CAN SEE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF ALL WHILE DURING MY DRIVE. I TRIED BY MAKING A ADULT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THEN THERE IS NO WARNING SIGN ABT THE AIRBAGS. IT HAPPENS TIMES WHEN EVER MY FRIENDS 9YR OLD SON SITS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO T HE DEALER TO CHECK ON AIRBAGS, THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS OK. BUT AM NOT CONVINCED. BUT I FEEL CONCERNED ABT OTHER CARS, WHO DRIVE WITH KIDS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. KINDLY PLEASE CHECK WITH AIRBAGS RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LOSS OF DRIVE POWER AND MAY ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN SET WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH OR PEDESTRIAN INJURY.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS MISALIGNED, A SMALL FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED LINE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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
2
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.
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.