NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
9 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 8, 2023
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
The VSA modulator is a known issue from honda. Mine went out while going down the highway. So many have gone bad recently that the modular is hard to get due to backorder. Warning lamps: Check brake system, Check ABS system, Check VSA & Check Power Steering. First three were one after another. Check power steering was about 10 s…
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The VSA modulator is a known issue from honda. Mine went out while going down the highway. So many have gone bad recently that the modular is hard to get due to backorder. Warning lamps: Check brake system, Check ABS system, Check VSA & Check Power Steering. First three were one after another. Check power steering was about 10 seconds after the others.
NHTSA ODI #11537066
25,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
MY ABS, VSA AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. HONDA DEALER TOLD ME IT COSTS $1,600 TO 'REPLACE' ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS OBSCENE AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND HE DIDN'T EVEN MENTION A FIX FOR VSA OR POWER STEERING. I TESTED A HARD BRAKE AND ABS FAILED. WHAT IF MY POWER STEERING FAILS DURING A …
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MY ABS, VSA AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. HONDA DEALER TOLD ME IT COSTS $1,600 TO 'REPLACE' ABS CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS OBSCENE AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND HE DIDN'T EVEN MENTION A FIX FOR VSA OR POWER STEERING. I TESTED A HARD BRAKE AND ABS FAILED. WHAT IF MY POWER STEERING FAILS DURING A TURN AND I HIT SOMEONE? HONDA SERVICE TECH SAID SCANS COULD NOT INDICATE A FIX. GOOGLE / YOU TUBE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH HONDA CIVIC AND ACORDS. A SIMPLE FUSE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE FUSE AND REPLACE THEM FOR VEHICLE OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE BEFORE SOMEONE HAS AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11195717
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
ALSO WASN'T ABLE TO SELECT THE STEERING, THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKES AND THE WHEELS/TIRES. THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING GOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I'VE GOT THIS CAR IT'S BEEN A HUGE PAIN AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE HAD IT. I'M CURRENTLY MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IT AND HAVE HAD THE CA…
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ALSO WASN'T ABLE TO SELECT THE STEERING, THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKES AND THE WHEELS/TIRES. THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING GOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I'VE GOT THIS CAR IT'S BEEN A HUGE PAIN AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE HAD IT. I'M CURRENTLY MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IT AND HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2017 AND HAVE PUT OVER $9,000 WORTH OF WORK INTO IT.. IT FINALLY HAS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN I'VE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A YEAR BECAUSE I CAN'T CONTINUE TO DUMP MONEY INTO IT. THE ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE HAVE BEEN ON SINCE I'VE GOT IT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON SINCE I'VE GOT IT THE AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY AND THE ELECTRICAL HAS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AS WELL ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WOULD COMPLETELY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY THIS HAPPENED THANK GOD BECAUSE HAD IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT I WOULDN'T OF BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MANY TIMES AND THE TIRES CONSTANTLY LOOSE THREADING AND FEELS LIKE THE CAR STEERING IS SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. THE CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT LIGHTS BLINK AS WELL RANDOMLY AS WELL WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS. MY STERLING WHEEL HAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING UNABLE TO MOVE IT AT ALL. THIS CAR HAS COST ME LOADS OF MONEY AND PUT ME IN SUCH A BAD PLACE FINANCIALLY I WISH I NEVER GOT IT.
NHTSA ODI #11163361
1 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HONDA CIVIC SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING STANDARD. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDDAL AND IT HESISTATES TO GO AND THEN GOES IMMEDIATELY WHICH MAKES IT FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SHIFTING GEARS. (USED TO DRIVE STANDARD). IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS ON A…
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I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HONDA CIVIC SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING STANDARD. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDDAL AND IT HESISTATES TO GO AND THEN GOES IMMEDIATELY WHICH MAKES IT FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SHIFTING GEARS. (USED TO DRIVE STANDARD). IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS ON AND LESS WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS OFF BUT IT DOES DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING ON REGULAR STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. THE CAR SHAKES A LOT WHEN THE AC IS ON. YOU TURN THE AC OFF AND IT STOPS SHAKING. THE CARS ENGINE IS FULL OF RUST THANKS TO HONDA FOR USING CHEAP PARTS TO MAKE THIS CAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL HONDAS WITH THE SAME ISSUE OF SEVERAL ENGINE PARTS BEING RUSTED.
NHTSA ODI #11141202
23,000 miles · Feb 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, & POWER STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME AND CAN NOT BE RESET. THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ARE NOT ENGAGED WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE PRESENT, THUS CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THESE LIGHTS FIRST APPEARED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY ON DRY/SUNNY DAY. THESE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED…
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ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, & POWER STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME AND CAN NOT BE RESET. THE VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ARE NOT ENGAGED WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE PRESENT, THUS CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THESE LIGHTS FIRST APPEARED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY ON DRY/SUNNY DAY. THESE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON SINCE, AND WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER ECU RESET.
NHTSA ODI #11072169
48,928 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIT UP, I️ CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS LOCKED A FEEL A SMALL TUG ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11054300
33,250 miles · Oct 22, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE VSA WARMING LIGHT HAS COME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARNING LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY CIVIC FOR ANY INFORMATION. IT SUGGESTED THAT…
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FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE VSA WARMING LIGHT HAS COME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARNING LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY CIVIC FOR ANY INFORMATION. IT SUGGESTED THAT I WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES AND THE RESTART THE CAR. I WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR. BOTH LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE LOCAL CARMAX DEALER, WHERE I'D PURCHASED THIS CAR. THE SERVICE CENTER COULD NOT LOOK AT MY CAR THEN, BUT THE TECHNICIAN SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME FOR THE NEXT MONDAY AND REASSURED ME THAT I WOULD "PROBABLY" BE FINE UNTIL THEN. WHEN THAT DAY CAME I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED TO BE LOOKED AT BY AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER, AUTONATION HONDA, BUT THAT CARMAX WOULD COVER THE COST BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THEIR LIMITED WARRANTY. DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTONATION AND THEY UPDATED THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE FOR THE VSA. TODAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017, I WAS DRIVING TO VISIT FAMILY WHEN THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARNING LIGHT. ONCE AGAIN, I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGES FOR BOTH MY CARMAX AND AUTONATION CONTACTS AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OFF. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA APPEARS TO HAVE IGNORED THIS ISSUE IN LATER MODEL CARS AND I FEEL THIS IS SEVERELY DANGEROUS!
NHTSA ODI #11035519
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2015
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE PRESENTED THEMSELVES WHILE THE CAR WAS ON AND IN MOTION. DEAR HONDA: RECALL THE AIRBAGS ASAP!! #1 SIGN OF ISSUE @ 45 MILES: PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT/SENSOR WOULD BLINK ON-OFF INTERMITTENTLY (ALL THE TIME) ONLY WHILE DRIVING. BACK DRIVER WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. #2 @ 15000 MILES: STEERING WHEEL CO…
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ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE PRESENTED THEMSELVES WHILE THE CAR WAS ON AND IN MOTION. DEAR HONDA: RECALL THE AIRBAGS ASAP!! #1 SIGN OF ISSUE @ 45 MILES: PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT/SENSOR WOULD BLINK ON-OFF INTERMITTENTLY (ALL THE TIME) ONLY WHILE DRIVING. BACK DRIVER WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. #2 @ 15000 MILES: STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INTERMITTENTLY WORKED BACKWARDS (VOLUME UP WOULD TURN DOWN & VICE VERSA.) IT WASN'T FREQUENTLY AND ALWAYS EVENTUALLY STARTED WORKING CORRECTLY. #3 @ 40000 MILES: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING "CHECK AIRBAGS" IT GOES OFF EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BUT IS ON 90% OF THE TIME. (NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER WANTS $150 JUST TO LOOK. HAVING THE CAR LESS 2YRS. AND THE AIRBAG HAVING ISSUES SINCE 45 MILES AND NEVER BEING IN AN ACCIDENT, I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR AND CAN'T AFFORD ANYWAY. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. #3 @ 60000 MILES: MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. IT WON'T EVEN TURN ON. #4 @ 64000 MILES: THE HORN DOES NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME. ALL THESE ISSUES AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2.5 YRS. THE CRUISE AND VOLUME CONTROLS NOT WORKING IS ANNOYING BUT THE HORN AND AIRBAG IS A HUGE RISKY ISSUES. I'M NOT THE FIRST TO COMPLAIN. HONDA IS AWARE THERE IS ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS IN THESE MODELS AND STILL HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL? SHAME ON YOU HONDA! WHY WAIT? PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY AIRBAGS! HOW MANY BEFORE YOU MAKE IT RIGHT??!!
NHTSA ODI #10782506
49,526 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I WAS DRIVING 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AROUND A 30 MILE AN HOUR GRADUAL BEND. I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING LOSING CONTROL MOMENTARILY ,I SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE JUST MISSING GOING INTO THE WOODS AND ALMOST CREATING AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. THE CHECK POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY LIGH…
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I WAS DRIVING 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AROUND A 30 MILE AN HOUR GRADUAL BEND. I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING LOSING CONTROL MOMENTARILY ,I SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE JUST MISSING GOING INTO THE WOODS AND ALMOST CREATING AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. THE CHECK POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON THE INFORMATION BOARD .THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE .MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE THE CAR OFTEN AND I'M NOT TOO SURE THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN AS GOOD AS MINE AND THIS TRULY SCARES ME.THIS IS MY 6TH HONDA ,I PURCHASE ALL MY CAR IS NEW, AND I'VE NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE!
NHTSA ODI #10735900
NHTSA investigations
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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