SHUTTER WHEN GOING 25 TO 35
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
49 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GWINNETT PLACE HONDA (3325 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (678) 274-6206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GWINNETT PLACE HONDA (3325 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (678) 274-6206) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,312.
WHILE DRIVING, CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS CHECK EMISSION AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ERROR. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES WHEN I PUT IT IN D POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES. I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY IN MID-WAY AND ALSO THE ENGINE…
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WHILE DRIVING, CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS CHECK EMISSION AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ERROR. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES WHEN I PUT IT IN D POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR FOR REPAIR AND THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES. I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY IN MID-WAY AND ALSO THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION MIGHT GET EFFECTED.
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.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS FOR OVER A PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS, SIMILAR TO THOSE LISTED BY OTHER HONDA OWNERS ONLINE. MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/27/2017 ,10/6/2017,10/9/17 AND IN OTHER SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND ITS INABILITY TO PERFORM IN A SAFE MATTER HAS GREATLY TROUBLED ME CONCERNING M…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS FOR OVER A PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS, SIMILAR TO THOSE LISTED BY OTHER HONDA OWNERS ONLINE. MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/27/2017 ,10/6/2017,10/9/17 AND IN OTHER SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND ITS INABILITY TO PERFORM IN A SAFE MATTER HAS GREATLY TROUBLED ME CONCERNING MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY PUBLIC. THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED ON THAT DAY, WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS BEING PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR ALSO LAUNCHES FORWARD WHILE IN THE DRIVE GEAR OR ON REVERSE AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS , WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF THE GARAGE/DRIVEWAY THE CAR CLUNKED AND LURCHED AHEAD. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS UNATTENDED GAS CONTROL ISSUE, THE CAR ALSO REACHES TOP SPEEDS OF OVER 37 MPH WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL ONCE. THIS NOW HAPPENS DAILY, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR WHEN I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND I FEEL THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN ?AROUND. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (AMERICAN HONDA) REQUESTING A FIELD ENGINEER HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY RESOLUTION AND I?M GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY. I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND RENTING A CAR IS NOT WITHIN MY BUDGET. I HOPE THAT WITH YOUR HELP I CAN GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
RECENTLY, I STARTED NOTICING MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AND A TENDENCY TO OVER-REV, AS WELL AS SPOTTING IN MY PARKING SPACE. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, OCCURRING MAINLY IN THE MORNING. AFTER TWO DAYS, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK, AND AFTER CLEANING THE UND…
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RECENTLY, I STARTED NOTICING MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AND A TENDENCY TO OVER-REV, AS WELL AS SPOTTING IN MY PARKING SPACE. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, OCCURRING MAINLY IN THE MORNING. AFTER TWO DAYS, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK, AND AFTER CLEANING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. UPON ENTERING A ROUNDABOUT, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL DRIVING POWER. HE INSPECTED IT AGAIN, AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT LEFT DRIVE SHAFT HAD SLIPPED OUT OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HOUSING, ALLOWING ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT. WHILE SHOPPING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, I FOUND MENTION OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM BEING REPORTED IN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLES, REQUIRING A RECALL.
FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY.. LOST CONTROL SPUN 5 TIMES AND EVEN AFTER NEW ALTERNATOR.. THE RPM NEV…
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FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY.. LOST CONTROL SPUN 5 TIMES AND EVEN AFTER NEW ALTERNATOR.. THE RPM NEVER REDUCES PROPERLY.. HAD IN SHOP 3 X'S SET AT YOUR SPEC IS WRONG TO MAKE BRAKE ELEASE JERK, CAR SHAKE AT LIGHTS AND CAUSES ME TO REAR END ANOTHER CAR. 2/6/16
FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. HAS FAILED TWICE NOW IN LESS THAN 80,000 MILES FIRST FAILURE UNDER 30,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Official recalls
312V548000 · 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 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.
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
2EA21002 · 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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