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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.

About this comparison →

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

Steering complaints

74 reports
Clear category filter
68,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Steering

DURING RAIN STORMS ESPECIALLY, THE POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON AND I LOSE ALL POWER TO STEER. I CAN STILL STEER BUT ITS EXTREMELY HARD. HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES NOW. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY GET. HAD TO GET A RENTAL UNTIL ITS FIXED. IN MY OPINION, ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS MUCH LESS RELIABLE THAN THE O…

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DURING RAIN STORMS ESPECIALLY, THE POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON AND I LOSE ALL POWER TO STEER. I CAN STILL STEER BUT ITS EXTREMELY HARD. HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES NOW. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY GET. HAD TO GET A RENTAL UNTIL ITS FIXED. IN MY OPINION, ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS MUCH LESS RELIABLE THAN THE OLD TYPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704922

55,626 miles · Mar 14, 2015
Service BrakesSteering

WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW, WHEN I TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES THEY WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WAS GONE ALSO, I DID SEE A ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATED TO CHECK POWER STEERING I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. I CUT OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTED THE CAR AND TH…

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WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW, WHEN I TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES THEY WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WAS GONE ALSO, I DID SEE A ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATED TO CHECK POWER STEERING I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. I CUT OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTED THE CAR AND THE MESSAGE AND THE CHECK STEERING LIGHT WERE GONE. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR LOST POWER. I PUT MY VIN IN HONDA'S WEB SITE TO CHECK FOR A RECALL AND THERE WERE NOT ANY. THIS COULD CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694294

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2015
Air BagsSteering

I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CIVIC AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I JUST NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WHERE THE AIRBAG COMES OUT OF. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO FOR THIS TO START CRACKING OUT OF NO WHERE IS VERY UNSAFE. I'VE GONE TO HONDA TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP ME B…

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I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CIVIC AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I JUST NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WHERE THE AIRBAG COMES OUT OF. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO FOR THIS TO START CRACKING OUT OF NO WHERE IS VERY UNSAFE. I'VE GONE TO HONDA TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP ME BECAUSE IT'S "NOT A BIG DEAL". MY SAFETY AND MY PASSENGERS SAFETY IS A BIG DEAL TO ME SO I NEED HELP GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED BY HONDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10684017

23,000 miles · Jan 11, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesSteering

ON SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2015 I WAS DRIVING I WAS COMING TO A INTERSECTION WHEN THE STOP LIGHT CHANGE I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN AFTER I WAS PUMPING IT. IT DID NOTHING MY STEERING BECAME LOCKED THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE. I ENDING UP IN THE…

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ON SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2015 I WAS DRIVING I WAS COMING TO A INTERSECTION WHEN THE STOP LIGHT CHANGE I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN AFTER I WAS PUMPING IT. IT DID NOTHING MY STEERING BECAME LOCKED THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE. I ENDING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND MOVE MY CAR AWAY THE BRAKES AND STEERING DID NOT WORK. THIS IS NOW PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING SINCE I DON'T KNOW IF AND WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO I HAVE NOTICE ANY ONE THAT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IS SEAT BELTED THE SENSOR IS NOT ABLE TO RECOGNIZED THAT IT GIVING ALERT THAT THE PERSON NEED TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HONDA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671660

19,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Steering

A FEW HOURS AGO (2012 CIVIC SI) THE CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM INDICATOR CAME ON AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS HECK TRYING TO STEER BACK INTO PARKING. CALLED THE DEALER; BUT SINCE IT WAS CLOSING TIME, HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK IN THE A.M. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE REVVING ITSELF WHEN I'M IN NEUTRAL. IT'S BEEN DOI…

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A FEW HOURS AGO (2012 CIVIC SI) THE CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM INDICATOR CAME ON AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS HECK TRYING TO STEER BACK INTO PARKING. CALLED THE DEALER; BUT SINCE IT WAS CLOSING TIME, HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK IN THE A.M. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE REVVING ITSELF WHEN I'M IN NEUTRAL. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668426

28,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Steering

THE POWER STEERING IS OFF WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE RESTARTED TO RECOVER THE POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638262

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE RAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE RAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10630452

21,280 miles · May 6, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

FIRST TIME DRIVING THIS CAR IN LIGHT SNOW. AT THE TOP OF A HILL, I TURNED LEFT TO TRAVERSE THE HILL TO TAKE A SIDE STREET, FOLLOWING MY CO-WORKERS. THE CIVIC SLIPPED - JUST A BIT- AND THE VSA LIGHT LIT. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL THROTTLE CONTROL, BRAKES WERE WILDLY ACTIVATING (SEEMINGLY 1 AT A TIME), AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JER…

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FIRST TIME DRIVING THIS CAR IN LIGHT SNOW. AT THE TOP OF A HILL, I TURNED LEFT TO TRAVERSE THE HILL TO TAKE A SIDE STREET, FOLLOWING MY CO-WORKERS. THE CIVIC SLIPPED - JUST A BIT- AND THE VSA LIGHT LIT. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL THROTTLE CONTROL, BRAKES WERE WILDLY ACTIVATING (SEEMINGLY 1 AT A TIME), AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKING. I WAS GOING VERY SLOW WHEN THE CIVIC TOOK ALL CONTROL AWAY FROM ME. I COULD NOT APPLY ANY THROTTLE TO PULL OUT OF A VERY MINOR SLIP AND MY CAR ACCELERATED SIDEWAYS DOWN THE SLOPE INTO A CURB WHICH DESTROYED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND SUSPENSION. I HAVE SPENT $1125 SO FAR TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND HAVE NOT REPLACED THE TIRE & WHEEL YET (ANOTHER APPROX. $600). I TOLD THE 2 FORD DEALERS WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND NEITHER GAVE IT ANY THOUGHT. I REQUESTED THEY TURN OFF THE VSA SYSTEM, BOTH REFUSED. I CAN NOT THINK OF ANY REASON, IN THE REAL WORLD, ANY CAR SHOULD TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL AWAY FROM THE DRIVER LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR SUCH A MINOR OCCURRENCE AS A SLIPPING WHEEL. IF A SEMI WAS BEHIND ME, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR ME TO GET OUT OF IT'S WAY. IT WAS JUST DUMB LUCK I HIT THE CURB WHERE I DID VS. TOBOGGANING INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC OR PICKING UP EVEN MORE SPEED BY CONTINUING FURTHER DOWN THAT HILL BEFORE THE CAR CRASHED. I HAVE THIS INCIDENT ON DASH CAM. IT IS AT NIGHT, AND NOT GREAT, BUT IT DOES PLAINLY SHOW WHAT HAPPENED. OUT OF ALL THE CARS THAT DROVE THAT ROUTE, MINE WAS THE ONLY ONE TO CRASH AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY DUE TO THE VSA TAKING CONTROL AWAY FROM ME AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586883

17,300 miles · Apr 30, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A SLIGHT RAIN THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE SUN ROOF WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A SLIGHT RAIN THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE SUN ROOF WAS OPEN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING ELECTRIC SYSTEM DUE TO RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10510110

994 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED AS THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE IN REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THERE WAS ALSO A CLANKING NOISE WHEN THE GEARS CHANGED AUTOMATICALLY AND WHENEVER THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED AS THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE IN REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN DRIVE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THERE WAS ALSO A CLANKING NOISE WHEN THE GEARS CHANGED AUTOMATICALLY AND WHENEVER THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 994.

NHTSA ODI #10489435

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