NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
98 reportsClear category filter37,800 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Power Train
OUR 2014 HONDA CIVIC HAS 37K MILES ON IT AND WE WERE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING OR NOT SHIFTING. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE IN NEUTRAL AND COULDN'T GET ANY POWER. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY DISCOVERED IT W…
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OUR 2014 HONDA CIVIC HAS 37K MILES ON IT AND WE WERE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING OR NOT SHIFTING. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE IN NEUTRAL AND COULDN'T GET ANY POWER. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID AND IT CAME "UNPLUGGED" AND WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH RESULTED IN LOW PRESSURE AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #10972291
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUGGESTED REMEDY WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10933708
23,000 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesCrash
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 HONDA CIVIC FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND DRIVING IT FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT LAST NIGHT ON 08/30/2016 I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A FRIENDS HOUSE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE LIKE I HAVE BEEN DOING THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND BEGAN EXITING THE CA…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2014 HONDA CIVIC FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND DRIVING IT FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT LAST NIGHT ON 08/30/2016 I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A FRIENDS HOUSE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE LIKE I HAVE BEEN DOING THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND BEGAN EXITING THE CAR. THE FRONT DOOR WAS OBVIOUSLY OPEN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN REVERSING! THE FRONT DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN SINCE I WAS SO STARTLED NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME LIKE THAT BEFORE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS. FORTUNATELY, I AM LIMBER SO IMMEDIATELY GOT UP, JUMPED BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES THAT DID NOT WORK EITHER SO TURNED THE CAR INTO THE CLOSEST ROCKERY TO STOP IT BEFORE IT HIT ANOTHER CAR OR A HOUSE FURTHER DOWN THE HILL. OBVIOUSLY, MY REAR AND FRONT FENDERS ARE ALL BADLY SCRAPED BY THE ROCKS CLEARLY VISIBLE IN THE PICTURES I TOOK. THE ROCKERY IS FENDER HIGH SO NO QUESTION. NO OTHER SCRATCHES COULD LOOK LIKE THIS. I WENT ON LINE AND SURE ENOUGH, FOUND A RECALL REGARDING THE DRIVE TRAIN TRANSMISSION FOR THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. I NEEDED TO GET THIS ON THE RECORD SINCE I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. [XXX]-OWNER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10899819
32,570 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Power Train
CLUTCH DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CLUTCH FRICTION MATERIAL DISLODGED, TORE INTO LARGE CHUNKS, AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLYWHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE CLUTCH PETAL TO DROP TO THE FLOOR AND KEPT THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THERE WAS NO WAY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPEN…
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CLUTCH DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CLUTCH FRICTION MATERIAL DISLODGED, TORE INTO LARGE CHUNKS, AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLYWHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE CLUTCH PETAL TO DROP TO THE FLOOR AND KEPT THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THERE WAS NO WAY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I HAD ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO 6TH GEAR ABOUT 10 MILES BEFORE I NOTICED A PROBLEM. WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME, I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR, BUT COULDN'T FIND THE CLUTCH PETAL -- I FINALLY FOUND THE PETAL WAS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED, AND COULDN'T GET IT OFF THE FLOOR. IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND THE PETAL, SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, AND STOP THE VEHICLE, I ALMOST RAN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UP TO THIS TIME WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 5TH, EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE ACTING NORMALLY. CLUTCH HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED DURING ITS ENTIRE LIFE.
NHTSA ODI #10899615
12,060 miles · May 2, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN PARK . GOT IN CAR TO START IT AND CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK AND ALL SYSTEMS FAILED COULD NOT START CAR OR STOP CAR FROM ROLLING HAD FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL , DASH BOARD WAS GOING THRU ALL SYSTEMS TELLING ME EVERYTHING WAS FAILING . DOUBLE CHECKED PARK POSITION ,CAR WAS IN PARK.. ONLY WAY…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN PARK . GOT IN CAR TO START IT AND CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK AND ALL SYSTEMS FAILED COULD NOT START CAR OR STOP CAR FROM ROLLING HAD FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL , DASH BOARD WAS GOING THRU ALL SYSTEMS TELLING ME EVERYTHING WAS FAILING . DOUBLE CHECKED PARK POSITION ,CAR WAS IN PARK.. ONLY WAY TO STOP ROLLING WAS TO PUT EMERGENCY BREAK ON. CALLED AAA SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN TOW TRUCK DRIVER TRIED TO START IT . TOTAL FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AGAIN ! 1 MORE YEAR ON THE LEASE AND I AM OUT !
NHTSA ODI #10862604
3,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD DURING A COLD START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD DURING A COLD START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE, AT A COLD START, EXHIBITED AN UNSAFE 7MPH FORWARD ACCELERATION. THIS MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE CONSUMES EXCESSIVE FUEL. THE COLD ENGINE START NOISE DEFECT CONTINUED WITH THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND DID NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE IN TO DRIVE GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/20/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10852161
103,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A SEVERE VIBRATION WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED METAL SHAVINGS IN THE DARKENED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A SEVERE VIBRATION WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED METAL SHAVINGS IN THE DARKENED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WERE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL, IT MAY POSSIBLY HAVE PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION INTERNAL DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10823141
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2015
Power Train
2014 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE 15V-574. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER DID A SOFTWARE CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOFTWARE CHANGED ONLY REDUCED THE STRESS ON WEAK PULLEY SHAFTS AND THERE…
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2014 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE 15V-574. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER DID A SOFTWARE CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOFTWARE CHANGED ONLY REDUCED THE STRESS ON WEAK PULLEY SHAFTS AND THEREFORE, THE FIX WAS ONLY TEMPORARY, BECAUSE THE PULLEYS WERE STILL WEAK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10816106
750 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 750. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10809452
15,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Power Train
RECEIVED RECALL NHTSA RECALL 15V-574. UNDER HIGH STRESS DRIVE PULLEY SHAFTS WITH LOW HARDNESS CAN BREAK! REMEDY IS TO REPROGRAM CVT TO REDUCE STRESS. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NO GUARANTEE IT WILL PREVENT BREAKAGE. NEED SHAFT REPLACED!!
NHTSA ODI #10807923
Official recalls
2Sep 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).
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
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.