← New search

2014 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Honda Civic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

175 reports with mileage · 116 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

30 crash reports4 fire reports19 injury reports

Power Train complaints

98 reports
Clear category filter
4,600 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Power Train

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 AT APPROXIMATELY 2 P.M., MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OUT ONTO A FOUR-LANE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED. OUT. I HAD JUST GOTTEN MY HAIRCUT AND WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK. I PURCHASED THIS AS A NEW CAR FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEAL…

Read full complaint

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19 AT APPROXIMATELY 2 P.M., MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OUT ONTO A FOUR-LANE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED. OUT. I HAD JUST GOTTEN MY HAIRCUT AND WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK. I PURCHASED THIS AS A NEW CAR FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR. THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER. THE TECHNICIANS AND THE DEALERSHIP GENERAL MANAGER [XXX] HAVE STATED THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. DUE TO THIS, THE DEALERSHIP, [XXX] AND THE DEALERSHIP OWNER [XXX] ARE GIVING ME NO CHOICE OTHER THAN TO DRIVE A VEHICLE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE. HONDAAMERICA HAS NOW BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SITUATION BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. I HAVE A CHILD WHO RIDES IN THIS CAR AND I FEAR FOR HER AND MY SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667922

4,645 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Power Train

THIS IS THE SIXTH COMPLAINT I'VE MADE TO NHTSA FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA AND IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2014 WITH NO RESOLUTION. ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 THE CAR HAD TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHERE IT STALLED OUT. THE FIRST WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8:…

Read full complaint

THIS IS THE SIXTH COMPLAINT I'VE MADE TO NHTSA FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA AND IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2014 WITH NO RESOLUTION. ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 THE CAR HAD TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHERE IT STALLED OUT. THE FIRST WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 A.M. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET TO PICK UP BREAKFAST ITEMS WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN ME AND MY 15-YEAR-OLD WERE DRIVING TO KOHL'S TO DO SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30 P.M. IT STALLED OUT AS I WAS TURNING OFF THE MAIN ROAD INTO THE PARKING LOT. THIS UPSET ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY CHILD WAS IN THE CAR. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO HER DUE TO A FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NO CHOICE, HOWEVER, SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE. I NEED HELP REACHING A RESOLUTION WITH HONDA AMERICA AND FRANK FLETCHER HONDA. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667753

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2014
Power Train

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED: AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES …

Read full complaint

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED: AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN DUE TO STALLING ISSUES AND JERKING TYPE MOTIONS. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS ALONG WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER [XXX] , STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE EACH TIME THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER FILING THE COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA, [XXX], MY CASE MONITOR, ADVISED ME THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. I DISAGREED WITH HER AS I HAVE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS AND GM [XXX] STATEMENTS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I WAS GOING TO KEEP BRINGING IN THE CAR UNTIL THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I REMINDED THEM I HAVE DAILY ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL AND IT HAS JERKING MOTIONS WHEN DRIVING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BUT FRANK FLETCHER HONDA HAS GIVEN ME NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OVER THE SAME ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667171

4,500 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Power Train

AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH D…

Read full complaint

AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN DUE TO STALLING ISSUES AND JERKING TYPE MOTIONS. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS ALONG WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER [XXX] , STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE EACH TIME THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER FILING THE COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA, [XXX], MY CASE MONITOR, ADVISED ME THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. I DISAGREED WITH HER AS I HAVE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS AND GM [XXX] STATEMENTS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I WAS GOING TO KEEP BRINGING IN THE CAR UNTIL THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I REMINDED THEM I HAVE DAILY ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL AND IT HAS JERKING MOTIONS WHEN DRIVING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BUT FRANK FLETCHER HONDA HAS GIVEN ME NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OVER THE SAME ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667170

4,500 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Power Train

AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH D…

Read full complaint

AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. DECEMBER 18, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. AGAIN, IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE 2014 HONDA CIVIC WHICH I PURCHASED FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN DUE TO STALLING ISSUES AND JERKING TYPE MOTIONS. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS ALONG WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER [XXX] , STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE EACH TIME THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER FILING THE COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA, [XXX], MY CASE MONITOR, ADVISED ME THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AS IT WAS DESIGNED. I DISAGREED WITH HER AS I HAVE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS AND GM [XXX] STATEMENTS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I WAS GOING TO KEEP BRINGING IN THE CAR UNTIL THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I REMINDED THEM I HAVE DAILY ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL AND IT HAS JERKING MOTIONS WHEN DRIVING. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BUT FRANK FLETCHER HONDA HAS GIVEN ME NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA OVER THE SAME ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667168

4,400 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Power Train

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 2014 HONDA CIVIC ON DECEMBER 17, 2014 WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 P.M. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER COMPLAINING OF ST…

Read full complaint

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 2014 HONDA CIVIC ON DECEMBER 17, 2014 WHEN AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 P.M. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT ON HIM IN TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN SIX TIMES FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER COMPLAINING OF STALLING, JERKING ISSUES. I LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH FRANK FLETCHER HONDA, HONDA AMERICA STATED THEY WERE CLOSING OUT THE CASE SINCE THE ISSUE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON MY HUSBAND. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLIANT FILED WITH NHTSA. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALERSHIP MANAGED BY [XXX] IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE ISSUE CANNOT BE REPLICATED. I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND IT SCARES ME WHEN SHE IS RIDING IN THE CAR. THE SEMI-STALLING, JERKING ISSUE OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667037

4,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Power Train

ON DECEMBER 6, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER. AT APPROXIMATELY 9:05 P.M., THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, SIX TIMES FOR STALLING ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE …

Read full complaint

ON DECEMBER 6, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER. AT APPROXIMATELY 9:05 P.M., THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR INTO FRANK FLETCHER HONDA IN BENTONVILLE, AR, SIX TIMES FOR STALLING ISSUES. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA AMERICA AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE MONITOR [XXX] 800-999-1009, EXT. [XXX] (CASE NO[XXX]). APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AFTER I LODGED THE COMPLAINT, HONDA AMERICA ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED AS IT SHOULD BE AND SAW NO REASON TO ASSIST WITH MY CONCERN. I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE ISSUE AND SINCE MY HUSBAND'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE VEHICLE DYING, I HAVE BEEN NERVOUS DRIVING IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664782

1,032 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Power Train

I PURCHASED A NEW HONDA CIVIC 2014 ON 6/27/2014. ONE MONTH AND A HALF LATER DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE, EACH TIME I TRIED TO SPEED UP TO 50 MILES/HOUR, I STARTED FEELING SOME JERKINESS. SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR, I WAS NOT SURE THAT IT WAS NORMAL OR NOT. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT, ONE MORNING WHEN I WAS VERY SLOWLY PULLING THE CAR OUT…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A NEW HONDA CIVIC 2014 ON 6/27/2014. ONE MONTH AND A HALF LATER DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE, EACH TIME I TRIED TO SPEED UP TO 50 MILES/HOUR, I STARTED FEELING SOME JERKINESS. SINCE IT WAS A NEW CAR, I WAS NOT SURE THAT IT WAS NORMAL OR NOT. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT, ONE MORNING WHEN I WAS VERY SLOWLY PULLING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE DIED. I TURNED ON THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO MOVE THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES ON THE SAME DAY. NEXT DAY I CALLED THE CAR DEALER AND TOOK MY CAR FOR THE INSPECTION. THEY FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A DEFECT AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN ON 10/19/2014, WHEN I WAS DRIVING A STREET, I GOT A TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. MY HUSBAND HELPED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRES, BUT THE WARNING SIGN DID NOT DISAPPEAR. ON 10/27/2014, WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE AFTERNOON, A SERIES OF WARNINGS APPEARED (VSA, TPMS, EPS, ABS). AFTER HE GOT HOME, HE CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK FOR TOWING SERVICE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AS HE DID NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER NEXT MORNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR AND PERFORMED THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE VSA SYSTEM. HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650901

Official recalls

2

15V574000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 15, 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).

14V109000 · Tires:bead

Mar 10, 2014

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Honda Civic LX vehicles manufactured November 26, 2013, through January 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, during mounting of the tires, the tire bead may have gotten pinched between the assembly equipment and the steel wheel rims, resulting in damage to the tire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The tire damage could cause the tire to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any damaged tire, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD8.

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