NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
38 reportsClear category filter2,000 miles · Mar 31, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I AM ABOUT TO GO DOWNHILL AND TAKE AN EXIT AT 40 MPH AFTER DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED OF 65 MPH FOR SOME TIME I SEE THIS PROBLEM. RPM IS SUDDENLY SPIKING UP FROM 1500 TO 2500 AND STAYS THERE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. HIT BRAKES OR GAS DOES NOT BRING IT DOWN. GOOD THING IS THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING UP. THAT'S THE GO…
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WHEN I AM ABOUT TO GO DOWNHILL AND TAKE AN EXIT AT 40 MPH AFTER DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED OF 65 MPH FOR SOME TIME I SEE THIS PROBLEM. RPM IS SUDDENLY SPIKING UP FROM 1500 TO 2500 AND STAYS THERE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. HIT BRAKES OR GAS DOES NOT BRING IT DOWN. GOOD THING IS THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING UP. THAT'S THE GOOD SIGN BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH ECON DRIVE BUT I TURNED IT OFF ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505116
300 miles · Mar 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
I AM A FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVER, DRIVE WITH THE ECON BUTTON ON MOS OF THE TIME. I DRIVE 150 MILES 5 TIMES A WEEK. EVERY TIME I AM GOING DOWNHILL AND I PUSH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE RPM'S GO UP. I ALSO TRIED DRIVING WITHOUT THE ECON TO SEE IF IT WOULD CHANGE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU WOULD THINK BY HITTING THE BRAKES A LI…
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I AM A FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVER, DRIVE WITH THE ECON BUTTON ON MOS OF THE TIME. I DRIVE 150 MILES 5 TIMES A WEEK. EVERY TIME I AM GOING DOWNHILL AND I PUSH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE RPM'S GO UP. I ALSO TRIED DRIVING WITHOUT THE ECON TO SEE IF IT WOULD CHANGE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU WOULD THINK BY HITTING THE BRAKES A LITTLE HARDER WOULD DO THE TRICK TO DECREASE SPEED, BUT IT DOESN'T. AS YOU START HOLDING THE BREAKS FOR A LONG TIME, THEN THE RPS WOULD DECREASE. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.CIVICFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/210-ENGINE/350659-2012-HONDA-CIVIC-EX-ENGINE-BRAKING-ECON-BUTTON.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503287
25,000 miles · Feb 13, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A GARAGE, HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THEN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE, A WALL AND A BUILDING. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A GARAGE, HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THEN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE, A WALL AND A BUILDING. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ANKLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10497993
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
I'VE HAD MY 2012 CIVIC FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING ISSUE RIGHT AWAY: WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED AT 1500 RPMS, THEY SUDDENLY JUMP TO 2500 RPMS, PAUSE AT THE HIGHER RPM FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK DOWN. I CANNOT RECREATE IT AT WILL, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADS…
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I'VE HAD MY 2012 CIVIC FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING ISSUE RIGHT AWAY: WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED AT 1500 RPMS, THEY SUDDENLY JUMP TO 2500 RPMS, PAUSE AT THE HIGHER RPM FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK DOWN. I CANNOT RECREATE IT AT WILL, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROADS (AS THIS IS MY USUAL DRIVE TO WORK AND HOME), APPLYING THE BREAK DOES NOT BRING THE RPMS BACK DOWN EITHER. I HAVE DRIVEN A DECENT AMOUNT OF CARS IN MY LIFETIME INCLUDING A 2003 CIVIC IN THE SAME TRIM AS MY CURRENT CIVIC AND NONE HAVE ACTED THIS WAY. I REALIZE A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THAT '03 CIVIC MODEL, BUT NO CAR SHOULD ACT LIKE IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, WHICH IS EXACTLY HOW IT FEELS EVERY TIME THIS OCCURS AND LEAVES ME WITH A VERY UNSETTLING FEELING WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494633
11,000 miles · Jan 21, 2013
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
HELLO GOOD MORNING, YESTERDAY I WAS GETTING HOME AND I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN I RELEASE THE PEDAL MY CAR WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKING SLOT AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH, SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CARD ACCELERATED IT SELF HITTING A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE A LITTLE INJURED IN MY HAND BUT N…
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HELLO GOOD MORNING, YESTERDAY I WAS GETTING HOME AND I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN I RELEASE THE PEDAL MY CAR WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKING SLOT AT A SPEED OF 5 MPH, SUDDENLY LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THE CARD ACCELERATED IT SELF HITTING A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE A LITTLE INJURED IN MY HAND BUT NOTHING I THINK SERIOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493603
800 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AN INCREASE TO AN ACCEPTABLE SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AN INCREASE TO AN ACCEPTABLE SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 800.
NHTSA ODI #10484803
10 miles · Sep 15, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN A DOWNWARD SLOPE FACING DOWN, AND YOU ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR, THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IF YOU ARE PARKED IN A TIGHT SPOT AND YOU WILL ROLL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. WE REPORTED THIS TO HONDA CORPORATION AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I DO NOT…
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WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN A DOWNWARD SLOPE FACING DOWN, AND YOU ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR, THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IF YOU ARE PARKED IN A TIGHT SPOT AND YOU WILL ROLL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. WE REPORTED THIS TO HONDA CORPORATION AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I DO NOT AGREE, SINCE MY OTHER CAR (DIFFERENT MAKE/MODEL) DOES NOT PERFORM THE SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475490
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
REV. SUDDENLY GOES ABOUT 3500PRM AND STAY THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN I DRIVE DOWNHILL. AT THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE LIKE NORMAL. SOMETIME THERE ARE CAR BEHIND YOU AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOUR CAR CAN NOT GO AS FAR AS THE CAR BEHIND YOU. PLEASE TEST THE 2012 HONDA CIVIC, TH…
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REV. SUDDENLY GOES ABOUT 3500PRM AND STAY THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN I DRIVE DOWNHILL. AT THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE LIKE NORMAL. SOMETIME THERE ARE CAR BEHIND YOU AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOUR CAR CAN NOT GO AS FAR AS THE CAR BEHIND YOU. PLEASE TEST THE 2012 HONDA CIVIC, THIS CAR HAVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471215
13,000 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN HIGH RPM WHEN EXCITING HIGHWAY RAMP,ENGINES RPM,S GO UP TO 4 OR 5,WHEN APPLYING BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466546
916 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TURNED LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE TO PARK. I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC, WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT BUMP…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TURNED LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE TO PARK. I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC, WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SCRAPED AND KNOCKED OUT OF PLACE. AMERICAN HONDA HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT BUT REFUSES TO RELEASE ITS REPORT TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466300
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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.
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.