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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

37 reports
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90,000 miles · Sep 3, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN EARLY 2015. NEVER HAD SO MUCH AS A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION. GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN 2015 ABOUT A SENSOR FOR MAKING THE "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT STAY ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HONDA TELLS ME THEY FIXED THIS IN DECEMBER 2015. ON AUGUST 27, 2020, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON A VERY DANGEROUS HIG…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN EARLY 2015. NEVER HAD SO MUCH AS A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION. GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN 2015 ABOUT A SENSOR FOR MAKING THE "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT STAY ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HONDA TELLS ME THEY FIXED THIS IN DECEMBER 2015. ON AUGUST 27, 2020, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON A VERY DANGEROUS HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED. NO NOISE, NO POP, NO STUTTER. THE CAR STARTED DECELERATING AND EVERY ERROR MESSAGE KNOWN TO MAN CAME ON THE SCREEN. CHECK POWER STEERING, CHECK TMP SYSTEM, CHECK ENGINE, CHECK TRANSMISSION, ETC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, BARELY GETTING ACROSS THE LINE AND HAVING TO SIT AND PRAY FOR HALF AN HOUR THAT THE HUGE CARS BARRELING TOWARD ME WOULD NOT HIT ME. GOT IT TOWED TO KING HONDA. A TECHNICIAN CALLED FIVE DAYS LATER AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. I CAN EITHER PAY $6000 FOR A TRANSMISSION FROM HONDA, OR I CAN PAY $2000 FOR A USED TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THE DRIVE SHAFT PULLEY BROKE. I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE RECALL NUMBER 15V574000 THAT SAYS THE SOFTWARE SETTINGS THAT CONTROL THE TRANSMISSION OPERATION MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT. HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. HE SAID HE'D TALK TO HIS MANAGER AND CALL ME BACK. HE LEFT A MESSAGE SAYING THE TRANSMISSION HAS COME APART ON THE INSIDE AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. IN THE MEANTIME, I'D CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE MAN TOLD ME IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL. HE SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. MY HUSBAND CALLED AND THE MAN LISTENED TO HIM AND AGREED THAT THESE THINGS DON'T "JUST HAPPEN" TO A HONDA THAT IS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES WITH NO NOTICE, NO PROBLEMS, NO NOISE. HE AGREED TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE CAR AND SAID IF THE DRIVE SHAFT PULLEY IS IN FACT BROKEN, IT WOULD BE RELATED TO THE RECALL. WE TOWED IT TONIGHT AND WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY.

NHTSA ODI #11352900

62,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Unknown Or Other

FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR, I REALIZED THAT THE FILL PLUG OR DIPSTICK OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION KEEPS POPPING OUT OF THE FLUID HOLE SPILLING OIL ALL OVER THE TRANSMISSION METAL CASE. THE ISSUES SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA CIVIC 2014 OWNERS. I NOTICE THAT THE ISSUES IS MORE COMMONLY AFTER TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY…

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FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR, I REALIZED THAT THE FILL PLUG OR DIPSTICK OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION KEEPS POPPING OUT OF THE FLUID HOLE SPILLING OIL ALL OVER THE TRANSMISSION METAL CASE. THE ISSUES SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA CIVIC 2014 OWNERS. I NOTICE THAT THE ISSUES IS MORE COMMONLY AFTER TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY TO LONG DISTANCES. THE ISSUE ALSO CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO RUN DRY AFTER SPILLING ALL THE FLUID FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE IS NOT A NORMAL ISSUE, AND HONDA SHOULD RECALL VEHICLES TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11342179

79,695 miles · Dec 1, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND IT TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE I HAVE TO PUT THE GAS PUDDLE TO THE FLOOR AND VIBRATION ON THE SEAT IT'S A CVTS TRANSMISSION IT WAS THE PULLY THAT WAS FIXED ON THE LAST RECALL I'M DRIVING A LOANER CAR IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THE SLIPPING OR CVTS IN GENERAL THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11283109

136,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2014 HONDA CIVIC WITH 136000 ON THE CAR THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTING. SOME 2014 HONDA CIVIC WERE RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET MY VEHICLE, 2014 CIVIC MODEL MISS THE RECALL. ALL CIVICS HAVE A PRETTY SIMILAR SETUP AS FAR AS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. AS FAR AS HONDA GOES THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THERE EN…

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I HAVE A 2014 HONDA CIVIC WITH 136000 ON THE CAR THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTING. SOME 2014 HONDA CIVIC WERE RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET MY VEHICLE, 2014 CIVIC MODEL MISS THE RECALL. ALL CIVICS HAVE A PRETTY SIMILAR SETUP AS FAR AS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. AS FAR AS HONDA GOES THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THERE ENGINES LASTING A WHILE AND HAVING NO ISSUES YET I HAVE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT IS YET UNKNOWN AND WILL COST AT LEAST 5K TO FIX. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS THE CARS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND DOWNSHIFT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THIS CAR HAS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION YET WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN THEN GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUMPS GEARS, YOU GET THE FEELING AS IF YOU ARE ON A MOTORCYCLE AND IT STALLS AND JUMPS FORWARD. ALONG WITH THAT THERE'S A SLIGHT NOICE THAT IS WORKING OVERTIME. (INCIDENT OCCURS AROUND 2MPH-65)

NHTSA ODI #11232186

29,000 miles · Jun 20, 2018
StructureUnknown Or OtherFire

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A VEHICLE. I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THAT I AM REPORTING, BUT I WAS NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY A FIRE THAT THE VEHICLE CAUSED. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE ON THE 1ST FLOOR. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER PARKING MY CAR, A BMW X5 PARKED NEXT TO MY …

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A VEHICLE. I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THAT I AM REPORTING, BUT I WAS NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY A FIRE THAT THE VEHICLE CAUSED. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE ON THE 1ST FLOOR. SEVERAL HOURS AFTER PARKING MY CAR, A BMW X5 PARKED NEXT TO MY VEHICLE. THE OWNER OF THE BMW LEFT THEIR VEHICLE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. HOWEVER, WHILE THE OWNER WAS AWAY FROM THE CAR, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO 4 OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING MY VEHICLE ' THE TWO VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR AND TWO VEHICLES ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF THIS FIRE. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND COMPLETELY DAMAGED THE INTERIOR. WITH ALL THE DAMAGES THAT MY CAR SUSTAINED, IT IS NOT DRIVEABLE NOR IS IT REPAIRABLE. MY INSURANCE HAS A BETTER RECORD OF THE COMPLETE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. UPON, EXPLORING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS SPECIFIC BMW WAS LISTED AS AN AFFECTED VEHICLE FOR RECALL. NHTSA ISSUED SEVERAL RECALLS FOR PARTS OF THE VEHICLE THAT COULD CATCH FIRE EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN OPERATION. FOR EXAMPLE: REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 10-30-2017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 17V683000 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC CONSEQUENCE: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN CAUSE THE PARTS WITHIN THE PCV VALVE TO MELT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW SHOULD BE MORE ATTENTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, I HAVE LOST MY CAR AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECOUP THE RETAIL VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS INCREDIBLY UNFAIR AND BMW SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE AND HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #11102849

47,000 miles · Apr 21, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. 3 ATTEMPTS IN 40 DAYS AND AM SHRUGGED OFF BY THE DEALER. HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT INCONSISTENT BREAKING PRESSURE NEEDED, WILL NOT CHECK BREAKS HAVE EXTREMELY LOOSE STEERING AT HIGH SPEEDS, HAVE LACK OF ABS INTERMITTENTLY, STRONG BURNING SMELL AFTER 30+ MINUTES OF CRUISING ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF POWER WHEN…

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WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. 3 ATTEMPTS IN 40 DAYS AND AM SHRUGGED OFF BY THE DEALER. HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT INCONSISTENT BREAKING PRESSURE NEEDED, WILL NOT CHECK BREAKS HAVE EXTREMELY LOOSE STEERING AT HIGH SPEEDS, HAVE LACK OF ABS INTERMITTENTLY, STRONG BURNING SMELL AFTER 30+ MINUTES OF CRUISING ON HIGHWAY. LOSS OF POWER WHEN WARM OUTSIDE. WILL NOT RESET FROM TIRE ROTATION AND OIL FILTERS MAINTENANCE MINDERS

NHTSA ODI #11089193

77,680 miles · Mar 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WHEN I DRIVING IN US1 SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE AND ALTERNATOR BELTS MAKE SQUEAKER NOISE AND I TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC , HE SAYS TENSIONER BOLT BROKEN BAD HE HAS REPLACE ENGINE, I TOW THE CAR TO HONDA DEALER, THEY FIX WITH $1244.00 WITH NEW WATER PUMP, WHY THE COMPANY MAKE SUCH A BAD BOLT, 2014 IS NEW CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, ONE…

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WHEN I DRIVING IN US1 SMOKE CAME OUT FROM ENGINE AND ALTERNATOR BELTS MAKE SQUEAKER NOISE AND I TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC , HE SAYS TENSIONER BOLT BROKEN BAD HE HAS REPLACE ENGINE, I TOW THE CAR TO HONDA DEALER, THEY FIX WITH $1244.00 WITH NEW WATER PUMP, WHY THE COMPANY MAKE SUCH A BAD BOLT, 2014 IS NEW CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, ONE BOLT THEY GOT REPLACE ENGINE AND TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX IT, I DO NOT PAY I LOOSE MY CAR BECAUSE OF ONE BOLT THIS NOT FAIR NEED TO RECALL ALL CARS.MY HONDA DEALER 732-721-0449

NHTSA ODI #11076046

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE FRONT WINDOW DIVER HAS A LEAK AND THE WINDOW GET FROST IN SIDE THE WINDSHELD IN SIDE THE CAR .WHEN IT' GET 28' DEGREE OUTSIDE AND LOWER. THE TRUNK DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN WIH THE KEY.

NHTSA ODI #11065415

7 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON AND ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD (ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP), I SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. I HAVE HAD THE SHOP AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR DRIVE IT TWICE AND THE MECHANICS CLAIM THEY DO NOT SMELL IT. I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG AND DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY BREATHING CO! I AM VERY FRUSTR…

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WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON AND ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD (ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP), I SMELL EXHAUST IN THE CABIN. I HAVE HAD THE SHOP AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR DRIVE IT TWICE AND THE MECHANICS CLAIM THEY DO NOT SMELL IT. I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG AND DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY BREATHING CO! I AM VERY FRUSTRATED!

NHTSA ODI #11034177

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2017
Unknown Or OtherWheels

TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR JANUARY 2015 HAS LEAKY TIRES. HAS ALWAYS HAD TO ADD AIR

NHTSA ODI #11014272

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