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2012 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

321 reports with mileage · 133 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

55 crash reports5 fire reports28 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

59 reports
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78,550 miles · May 15, 2020
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR TWO REPAIRS RELATED TO RODENTS CHEWING THROUGH ELECTRICAL WIRING. ONE WAS FOR CHEWING THROUGH FUEL HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP WIRES RESULTING IN REPAIRS THAT COST $915 AND OCCURRED ON 9/5/2018. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I MADE IT HOME THEN TOOK IT TO THE …

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I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR TWO REPAIRS RELATED TO RODENTS CHEWING THROUGH ELECTRICAL WIRING. ONE WAS FOR CHEWING THROUGH FUEL HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP WIRES RESULTING IN REPAIRS THAT COST $915 AND OCCURRED ON 9/5/2018. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I MADE IT HOME THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS FROM CHEWING THROUGH GAS LINE AND IMA INVERTER THAT COST $1701 AND OCCURRED ON 3/15/19. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, IMA BATTERY, CHARGING MALFUNCTION). I DROVE HOME AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO HONDA, THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES AND GOT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR AND THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. I GOT OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I BEGAN TO PULL OVER BUT THEN REGAINED THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND LUCKILY MADE IT HOME. FUEL WAS POURING FROM UNDER THE CAR SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW FUEL LINE, NEW IMA SYSTEM AS WELL AS JUNCTION BOX. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS, DURING WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT IS COMMON FOR CHEWING THROUGH WIRING OF THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL HONDA BECAUSE THE MATERIAL WRAPPING AROUND THE WIRES WAS MADE FROM A SOYBEAN PRODUCT, WHICH RODENTS ARE ATTRACTED TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324711

123,000 miles · Dec 2, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 IN RICHMOND INDIANA WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LIGHTS ON MY DASH OFF LICKED ON AND OFF AND I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING BRAKES STEERING AND THE ENGINE I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE AND COAST TO A STOP AT AN EXIT I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS AND M…

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WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 IN RICHMOND INDIANA WAS TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LIGHTS ON MY DASH OFF LICKED ON AND OFF AND I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING BRAKES STEERING AND THE ENGINE I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE AND COAST TO A STOP AT AN EXIT I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS AND MY HAZARDS WERE NOT WORKING EITHER SO IT WAS A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. IN ADDITION IT WAS LATE IN THE EVENING SO WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST ALL LIGHTS NOBODY COULD SEE ME AND I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING THIS COULD'VE ENDED VERY TRAGICALLY FOR ME TRYING TO MOVE OVER AS THE SPEED LIMIT POSTED IN THE AREA IS 70 MPH. IN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND MULTIPLE FORUMS AND POSTS REGARDING THIS SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS. NOW I NEED TO TOW TO A SERVICE CENTER AND SEE HOW MUCH MORE MONEY I WILL NEED TO COME UP WITH TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11286520

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2019
Electrical System

THE DISPLAY WHICH SHOWS ODOMETER, MPG, ETC FLASHES ON AND OFF. WHEN LOW ON GAS, THE DISPLAY CONTINUALLY BEEPS AND ADVISES YOU ARE LOW ON GAS, INSTEAD OF ONE TIME WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE. REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, NOW BROKEN AGAIN, PART # 78260-TR2-A11RM

NHTSA ODI #11270248

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

CAR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO START WITHOUT A JUMP FOR MONTHS. GOT 2 NEW BATTERIES. 3 NEW ALTERNATORS. KEPT HAPPENING. NOW I MUST KEEP HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES, EVEN IN THE BRIGHTEST DAYLIGHT, OR ELSE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO LOSE CHARGE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11265524

16,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Electrical System

MY ELDERLY MOTHER HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON HER 2012 HONDA CIVIC 4-DOOR LX SEDAN. SHE KEEPS GETTING THE 'CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM' WARNING LAMP ON DASH. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS TWO NEW START BATTERIES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND A CHECK OF THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM LAST TIME INDICATED THE ALTERNATOR…

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MY ELDERLY MOTHER HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON HER 2012 HONDA CIVIC 4-DOOR LX SEDAN. SHE KEEPS GETTING THE 'CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM' WARNING LAMP ON DASH. IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS TWO NEW START BATTERIES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND A CHECK OF THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING SYSTEM LAST TIME INDICATED THE ALTERNATOR WAS GOOD. HERE'S THE UNDERLYING ISSUE...THE CABLING FROM BATTERY TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NON-STOPPED CHEWED ON BY RODENTS! HAS HONDA PRODUCED THESE MODEL CARS WITH SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL CABLE INSULATION MATERIAL THAT RODENTS ARE ATTRACTED TOO? HONDA SHOULD REPLACE ANY AND OR ALL DAMAGED ELECTRICAL CABLES! THIS IS TERRIBLE WHAT MY MOM IS GOING THROUGH AND THE DEALER (WALDORF MARYLAND HONDA) JUST WANTS TO STALL AND TRY TO 'PATCH' UP SOME OF THE CHEWED CABLES, ALL WHILE DOING A HORRIFIC JOB WITH SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL TAPE!!!! COME ON NOW HONDA IS THIS HOW YOU TREAT CUSTOMERS???? ELDERLY CUSTOMERS THAT DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS? SHAME ON YOU!

NHTSA ODI #11258985

66,100 miles · Aug 2, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

MY WIFE AND I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CIVIC WHICH SERIOUSLY IS A NIGHTMARE IN REPAIRS A LOT OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES INVOLVING ELECTRICAL AS WELL AS THE CAR LACKING POWER AND THE CAR NEEDING TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL HARNESS DUE TO THE WIRES BING WRAPPED IN SOME KIND OF SWEET TEXTURE THAT RODENTS SEEMED TO ENJOY TO MUCH. FURTHERMORE WITH THE…

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MY WIFE AND I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CIVIC WHICH SERIOUSLY IS A NIGHTMARE IN REPAIRS A LOT OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES INVOLVING ELECTRICAL AS WELL AS THE CAR LACKING POWER AND THE CAR NEEDING TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL HARNESS DUE TO THE WIRES BING WRAPPED IN SOME KIND OF SWEET TEXTURE THAT RODENTS SEEMED TO ENJOY TO MUCH. FURTHERMORE WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WE HAD WITH HIS CAR AT 66100 MILES I WOULD MUCH RATHER GO BACK TO MY 95 HONDA CIVIC 92 HONDA CIVIC OR 93 HONDA CIVIC DEL SOL ANY OTHER DAY THAN THIS JUNG WHAT KIND OF CAR NEEDS AN UPDATE FOR ITS DIAGNOSTICS TO WORK SERIOUSLY. WHAT IS IT IRON MAN NEEDING A CHARGE THIS CAR IS JUNK THE BATTERY DON'T LAST THAT LONG AND FURTHERMORE WHEN THEY DECIDE TO RECALL THIS BATTERY WHAT IS VEHICLE YOU CAN GLADLY TAKE YOUR JALOPY BACK... DON'T BUY A HONDA UNLESS YOU WANT TO WISH TO BUY NEW LIKE WE DID AND THROW THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO YOUR VEHICLE TO HAVE IT RUN LIKE JUNK. TOYOTA CAMRY OR COROLLA HERE I COME... BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE RESALE VALUE SUCKS AND SO DOES EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE VEHICLE THE GAS MILEAGE IS NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU SHOULD CLAIM IT TO BE ESPECIALLY FOR ECOBOOST MOTOR SO YEAH SAD THING IS MY FAMILY HAS BOUGHT THREE HONDAS AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME THEY SEE ANY OF OUR RETIREMENT THIS CAR IS SERIOUSLY JUNK YOU CAN GLADLY TAKE MY BACK EVEN IF YOU DON'T RECALL IT ALL RIGHTS CAN SEND IT BACK TO YOU IN CONFETTI US ARMY RANGER....

NHTSA ODI #11241385

69,400 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

AT 70,000 MILES MY "VSA ALERT" AND "CHECK STEERING ALERT" HAS BEEN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. HONDA SERVICE "CLAIMS THEY NEVER SAW SUCH A COMPLAINT" BUT LAST WEEK HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE ON 130,000 HONDA VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX COULD RUN OVER $2,000.00 . THIS ALERT FLASHES AND BEE…

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AT 70,000 MILES MY "VSA ALERT" AND "CHECK STEERING ALERT" HAS BEEN FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. HONDA SERVICE "CLAIMS THEY NEVER SAW SUCH A COMPLAINT" BUT LAST WEEK HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE ON 130,000 HONDA VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX COULD RUN OVER $2,000.00 . THIS ALERT FLASHES AND BEEPS, ANNOYINGLY, WHILE AUTO IS STATIONARY AND MOVING, IT FLASHES CONSTANTLY NOW FOR THE LAST 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11219186

60,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Electrical System

THE ODOMETER (MILE COUNTER), THE MILES PER GALN COUNTER CEASED WORKING. LOOKS LIKE A SOFTWARE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11180851

64,000 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

THE CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS A CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "D" INDICATOR ON THE DISPLAY FLASHES. WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR DISPLAYS THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T …

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THE CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS A CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "D" INDICATOR ON THE DISPLAY FLASHES. WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR DISPLAYS THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION, AND NO ERROR CODES CAME UP ON HIS COMPUTER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS NEEDED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION DUE TO THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11082690

30,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST AND BELIEVED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MILLENNIUM HONDA, 286 N FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550, (516) 481-2800) WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NO OPEN RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11071839

Official recalls

3

12V548000 · Steering:column

Nov 21, 2012

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.

12V256000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 4, 2012

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVER’S 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.

11V288000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

May 18, 2011

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.

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