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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

Wheels complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
86,567 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Wheels

LAST YEAR, IN OUR STATE WE HAVE SOME SNOW AND WHEN I ON MY WAY TO WORK I FEEL EVERYTHING SHAKING STARTING FROM THE WHEEL. WHEN I CHECK UNDER THE CAR THERE WAS NOTHING BUT ICE UNDER THE CAR. AFTER SNOW CLEARS OUT MY STEERING WHEEL IS NOT RIGHT ANYMORE. IT KEPT PULLING TO THE SIDE WHILE I WAS DRIVING EVEN AT LOW SPEED. SO I DON'T …

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LAST YEAR, IN OUR STATE WE HAVE SOME SNOW AND WHEN I ON MY WAY TO WORK I FEEL EVERYTHING SHAKING STARTING FROM THE WHEEL. WHEN I CHECK UNDER THE CAR THERE WAS NOTHING BUT ICE UNDER THE CAR. AFTER SNOW CLEARS OUT MY STEERING WHEEL IS NOT RIGHT ANYMORE. IT KEPT PULLING TO THE SIDE WHILE I WAS DRIVING EVEN AT LOW SPEED. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA ODI #11120519

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2017
Air BagsWheels

WE BOUGHT THE CAR,WE BEEN DRIVING IT NORMALLY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR FOR THE PAST WEEK

NHTSA ODI #11051496

58,578 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Wheels

THE TPMS SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE CAR HAS BRAND NEW TIRES AND COSTS $99 TO SCAN THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10949132

1 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherWheels

I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH MY TWO KIDS. I HAD STEPPED ON MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO WORK. SUDDENLY, I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WAS HARD WHERE I COULDN'T STEP DOWN ON IT. IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT STUCK. I KEPT PRESSING ON IT AND IT DID NOT WORK. I STAR…

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I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH MY TWO KIDS. I HAD STEPPED ON MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO WORK. SUDDENLY, I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WAS HARD WHERE I COULDN'T STEP DOWN ON IT. IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT STUCK. I KEPT PRESSING ON IT AND IT DID NOT WORK. I STARTED ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO CONTROL THE CAR SO I WOULDN'T RUN INTO A HOUSE OR ANOTHER CAR. I SHIFTED THE CAR TO PARK AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. ALL THIS TIME I KEPT TRYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. FINALLY, MY LAST RESORT I PULLED THE HAND BRAKE AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. MY CAR GOT VERY DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10895368

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2016
Wheels

CHECK TPMS SYSTEM WARNING KEPT COMING BACK AFTER SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #10889178

15,000 miles · May 6, 2016
Wheels

LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT INDICATOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. EVEN AFTER ADDING THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF AIR PRESSURE INTO MY TIRE, WITHIN ABOUT A MONTH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HONDA OF SEATTLE THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND EXPLAINED…

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LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT INDICATOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. EVEN AFTER ADDING THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF AIR PRESSURE INTO MY TIRE, WITHIN ABOUT A MONTH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HONDA OF SEATTLE THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE TO ELIZABETH, SERVICE DEPT REP. SHE PROVIDED WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT THERE APPARENTLY ARE SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHE SAID THE COLD TEMPERATURE/WEATHER AFFECTS THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES AND CAN TRIGGER THE SENSOR. ACCORDING TO HER, AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP, THE PROBLEM SHOULD GO AWAY. IT'S NOW SPRING IN SEATTLE AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. ELIZABETH HAS IN FACT TOLD ME THAT A WHEEL BALANCE WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH I AGREED TO HAVE DONE AND PAID OVER $100 THINKING IT WILL SOLVE THIS ANNOYING ISSUE. BUT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT, SHE WAS WRONG AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10863674

200 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureWheels

WHEN YOU BUY A NEW CAR YOU DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, WELL THAT WASN'T THE CASE WITH ME. 1. WATER WAS LEAKING IN THE MOON ROOF ALL THE RUBBER HAD TO BE REPLACED 2. SO MUCH RUST BECAUSE OF LEAK 3. HEATING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN YOU TURNED IT ON WOULD MAKE SUCH A LOUD NOISE IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. DEALERSHIP SAID…

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WHEN YOU BUY A NEW CAR YOU DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, WELL THAT WASN'T THE CASE WITH ME. 1. WATER WAS LEAKING IN THE MOON ROOF ALL THE RUBBER HAD TO BE REPLACED 2. SO MUCH RUST BECAUSE OF LEAK 3. HEATING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN YOU TURNED IT ON WOULD MAKE SUCH A LOUD NOISE IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. DEALERSHIP SAID NEEDED A PART SPENT ALMOST A DAY AND THEN SAID NEED ANOTHER PART ,, CANT BELIEVE A NEW CAR NEEDS NEW PARTS. 4. TIRE SENSOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON . 5.KEYS WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE EGNITION . 6. RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW WOULD RATTLE BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND WINDOW, TOP OF VISOR.. 7.NEEDED NEW BATTERY 8. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. 9 SPENT MORE TIME GOING BACK AND FORTH TO DEALERSHIP WHICH I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO DO THIS. 10. TOLD THE DEALERSHIP CAR MAKES A THUMBING NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP.WAS TOLD A DEFECTIVE RIGHT REAR SHOCK CAUSING THE THUMBING NOISE . 11. HAD TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB ON RIGHT SIDE. 12.SHOULD NOT , HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR...

NHTSA ODI #10779441

38,563 miles · Jul 11, 2015
Exterior LightingStructureWheelsCrashInjury

INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSORS WHERE HIT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL PANELS OF CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE WHERE HIT GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR RAN A RED LIGHT GOING 65 SIDESWIPED US INTO A WALL AND ELECTRICAL BOX....UPDATED 09/15/15 *BF UPDATED 11/13/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10733419

31,600 miles · Mar 12, 2015
TiresWheels

I WAS TRAVELING ON ELKRIDGE LANDING ROAD AND MERGED RIGHT ONTO THE RAMP THAT MERGES TO WEST NURSERY ROAD. THE RAMP HAS A POT HOLE WHICH BASED ON ITS PLACEMENT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETELY MISS, I RAN OVER IT WITH MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE IMPACT IMMEDIATELY FLATTENED MY TIRE. I WAS FORCED TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO…

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I WAS TRAVELING ON ELKRIDGE LANDING ROAD AND MERGED RIGHT ONTO THE RAMP THAT MERGES TO WEST NURSERY ROAD. THE RAMP HAS A POT HOLE WHICH BASED ON ITS PLACEMENT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETELY MISS, I RAN OVER IT WITH MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE IMPACT IMMEDIATELY FLATTENED MY TIRE. I WAS FORCED TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE CLOSEST SHOP AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW WHEEL AS WELL AS THE DIAGNOSTICS TO ENSURE ITS COMPLETION. I HAVE A BILL IN HAND FOR $296.26 WHICH I FEEL STRONGLY THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR AS THE PAYMENT WAS 100% THE RESULT OF THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD. I DO NOT SEE ANY OPTION FOR UPLOADING AN IMAGE OF THE BILL; HOWEVER, I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO SUBMIT A COPY OF IT IF NEED BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693789

13,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Wheels

PURCHASED MY CIVIC WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS, AFTER I PUT MY SELF IN DANGER WHEN A HONDA EMPLOYEE GUARANTEED THE PROBLEM WAS MINIMAL, IT WAS ONLY WORN TIRE NOISE AND I COULD DRIVE. I DROVE IT OUT OF THE STATE BACK AND FORTH, ON MY WAY BACK HOME I HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES AS THE NOISE WAS PRETTY A…

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PURCHASED MY CIVIC WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS, AFTER I PUT MY SELF IN DANGER WHEN A HONDA EMPLOYEE GUARANTEED THE PROBLEM WAS MINIMAL, IT WAS ONLY WORN TIRE NOISE AND I COULD DRIVE. I DROVE IT OUT OF THE STATE BACK AND FORTH, ON MY WAY BACK HOME I HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES AS THE NOISE WAS PRETTY ANNOYING AND MY INSTINCTS WAS THAT I HAD TO STOP EVERY SO OFTEN UNTIL I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER HONDA DEALER. IT WAS THEN WHEN THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THIS CAR SO FAR AWAY, THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. MY HUSBAND AND I WROTE A LETTER TO HONDA, ASKING THAT BETTER TRAINING WAS OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES GIVING WRONG ADVICE AND INSISTING WE HAD TO GET USED TO THE NOISE INSTEAD OF CARING FOR OUR SAFETY, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED AND WE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPEN, WE TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST HONDA AND WE WERE TOLD THE SAME OLD STORY, THE PROBLEM IS A WORN TIRE. NOW SINCE WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE NOISE, WE TOOK IT TO THE FIRST HONDA WHO FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED AGAIN. IT IS VERY SCARY THAT HONDA IS SELLING CARS WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS, NOT JUST ANY PART, BUT WHEEL BEARINGS, PARTS THAT COULD GET YOU KILLED. I WONDER IF HONDA WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, AND IF I THE MONEY I PAY EVERY MONTH FOR THIS CAR, WILL ALLOW ME TO DRIVE IN PEACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477008

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