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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

Seats complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2020
Air BagsSeats

PASSENGER AIRBAG NEVER DETECTS WHEN MY SON OR ANOTHER PRETEEN CLOSE TO HIS AGE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT ALWAYS TURNS OFF/ DEACTIVATES. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AND PROVIDE SAFETY FOR MY CHILD OR HIS COUSINS WHEN INSIDE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11306854

115,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO TURN ON AND OFF WHEN SOMEONE PUTS ON A SEAT BELT OR SITS IN THE BACK SEAT

NHTSA ODI #11054490

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2016
SeatsUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

FRONT SEAT ERGONOMICS ARE BAD! CURVES YOUR BACK FORWARD AND HEAD DOWN. THE HEADREST IS TILTED TOO FAR FORWARD AND DOWN. IT HAS RUINED MY BACK. VISIBILITY FRONT AND BACK IS MINIMAL. CAN'T SEE HOOD OR CAR CORNERS. DISTANCE TO OBJECTS, OTHER CARS ETC. IS A GUESSING GAME. WHEN FOOT IS RESTING ON BRAKE AND YOU STEP ON GAS, ENGI…

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FRONT SEAT ERGONOMICS ARE BAD! CURVES YOUR BACK FORWARD AND HEAD DOWN. THE HEADREST IS TILTED TOO FAR FORWARD AND DOWN. IT HAS RUINED MY BACK. VISIBILITY FRONT AND BACK IS MINIMAL. CAN'T SEE HOOD OR CAR CORNERS. DISTANCE TO OBJECTS, OTHER CARS ETC. IS A GUESSING GAME. WHEN FOOT IS RESTING ON BRAKE AND YOU STEP ON GAS, ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. IT'S DANGEROUS!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10854192

59,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Seats

EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE FRONT SEATS HAVE LED TO BACK, LEG AND NECK PAIN. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SEATS FOR EFFECTED CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #10787830

15,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
Seats

HEADREST'S FIXED, FORWARD PROTRUDING ANGLE CAUSES ME DRIVER FATIGUE AND SHAPE OF SEATS CAUSES NUMBNESS. THESE AFFECT DRIVER REACTION AND POSE RISK. I WOULD MUCH PREFER THE PRE-2009 HEADRESTS BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO STAY ALERT AND NOT HAVE MY HEAD SHOVED FORWARD IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE, NON-ERGONOMIC MANNER THAT CAUSES FATIGUE WITHIN…

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HEADREST'S FIXED, FORWARD PROTRUDING ANGLE CAUSES ME DRIVER FATIGUE AND SHAPE OF SEATS CAUSES NUMBNESS. THESE AFFECT DRIVER REACTION AND POSE RISK. I WOULD MUCH PREFER THE PRE-2009 HEADRESTS BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO STAY ALERT AND NOT HAVE MY HEAD SHOVED FORWARD IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE, NON-ERGONOMIC MANNER THAT CAUSES FATIGUE WITHIN JUST MINUTES OF DRIVING. PLEASE STAND UP TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

NHTSA ODI #10782835

12 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Seats

CAR SEATS ARE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE. ABSOLUTELY NO BACK SUPPORT AND HEAD REST IS WAY TOO FORWARD, CAUSING AN ARCH OF YOUR BACK. I HAVE A DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK OF 120 MILES AND EVERY DAY I FEEL LIKE MY BACK NEEDS TO RE-ALIGNED. I HAVE A MONTHLY COST OF $340 FOR CAR PAYMENT AND $50-$80 OF BODY RE-ALIGNMENT. MANUFACTURE SHOU…

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CAR SEATS ARE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE. ABSOLUTELY NO BACK SUPPORT AND HEAD REST IS WAY TOO FORWARD, CAUSING AN ARCH OF YOUR BACK. I HAVE A DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK OF 120 MILES AND EVERY DAY I FEEL LIKE MY BACK NEEDS TO RE-ALIGNED. I HAVE A MONTHLY COST OF $340 FOR CAR PAYMENT AND $50-$80 OF BODY RE-ALIGNMENT. MANUFACTURE SHOULD HAVE A DISCLAIMER ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10749667

31,500 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Seats

THE SEAT IS FAR FROM ERGONOMIC INCLUDING THE HEADREST. THERE IS MINIMAL TO NO LUMBAR SUPPORT. THE HEADREST IS ANGLED CAUSING THE OCCUPANTS HEAD TO BE FORCED FORWARD IN AN UNNATURAL POSITION. THIS HAS RESULTED IN PINS AND NEEDLE SENSATION IN BOTH ARMS AND LEGS AND MULTIPLE VISITS TO MY CHIROPRACTOR. THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT LA…

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THE SEAT IS FAR FROM ERGONOMIC INCLUDING THE HEADREST. THERE IS MINIMAL TO NO LUMBAR SUPPORT. THE HEADREST IS ANGLED CAUSING THE OCCUPANTS HEAD TO BE FORCED FORWARD IN AN UNNATURAL POSITION. THIS HAS RESULTED IN PINS AND NEEDLE SENSATION IN BOTH ARMS AND LEGS AND MULTIPLE VISITS TO MY CHIROPRACTOR. THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT LAST LONG AFTER I AM OUT OF THE CAR LEADING TO SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10735378

4,000 miles · Nov 8, 2014
Air BagsSeats

EVERY NOW AND THEN AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS,ETC. THE WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" COMES ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE WEIGHING AS MUCH AS 145 LBS. IS SITTING IN THAT SEAT. *TR....UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF UPDATED 09/01/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10653564

19,800 miles · Sep 29, 2014
SeatsInjury

2012 CIVIC SEAT ISSUE - I HAD A 2008 CIVIC COUPE. THIS CAR WAS GREAT. THE SEAT, FOR ME WAS VERY COMFORTABLE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IT WAS TOTALED IN A CAR CRASH AND I REPLACED IT WITH A 2012 CIVIC SEDAN. THE SEATS LOOK THE SAME AS THE 2008, BUT NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE. MY BACK HURTS AFTER JUST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE SEAT IS…

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2012 CIVIC SEAT ISSUE - I HAD A 2008 CIVIC COUPE. THIS CAR WAS GREAT. THE SEAT, FOR ME WAS VERY COMFORTABLE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IT WAS TOTALED IN A CAR CRASH AND I REPLACED IT WITH A 2012 CIVIC SEDAN. THE SEATS LOOK THE SAME AS THE 2008, BUT NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE. MY BACK HURTS AFTER JUST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE SEAT IS HARD ON THE BOTTOM AND THE BACK, NOT CURVED PROPERLY TO MY BACK AND NO MATTER WHAT POSITION OR SETTING I TRY, IT HURTS. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE IT STATING THAT IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE AND A NEW ONE WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WANT MY 2008 SEAT BACK. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I CAN PUT UP WITH THIS. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO SELL THE CAR SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639920

40,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Seats

I COMMUTE ALMOST 2 HOURS TO WORK AND THEN 2 HOURS BACK EACH DAY. THEREFORE, I TRADED MY SILVERADO FOR A 2012 CIVIC FOR THE GAS MILEAGE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN MAY OF 2014. IT WAS THE SECOND CIVIC ON THE LOT THAT I TEST DROVE. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AMISS ABOUT EITHER CAR DURING THE TEST DRIVES. HOWEVER, ON MY FIRST TRIP HOM…

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I COMMUTE ALMOST 2 HOURS TO WORK AND THEN 2 HOURS BACK EACH DAY. THEREFORE, I TRADED MY SILVERADO FOR A 2012 CIVIC FOR THE GAS MILEAGE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN MAY OF 2014. IT WAS THE SECOND CIVIC ON THE LOT THAT I TEST DROVE. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AMISS ABOUT EITHER CAR DURING THE TEST DRIVES. HOWEVER, ON MY FIRST TRIP HOME FROM WORK I NOTICED THAT I FELT LIKE MY BUTT WAS SINKING FURTHER INTO THE SEAT AND MY LEGS BEGAN TO ACHE REALLY BAD. ALSO, THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS FAR LESS THAN DESIRABLE. SO FAR THE ONLY FIX I HAVE COME UP WITH IS TO LAY FOLDED TOWEL DOWN IN THE SEAT. BUT SOMETIMES THE TOWEL MOVES OR BECOMES UNFOLDED. I AM STILL SEARCHING FOR A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THE UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607455

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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems