NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
176 reportsClear category filter100,365 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON I-77 AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW. I COULD HAVE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I CALL…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON I-77 AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW. I COULD HAVE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW THE VEHICLE. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHO ASSESSED THE CAR SAID THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE IS ONLY 100,364 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD JUST STOP WORKING. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM (RECALL) WITH THE 2015 HONDA CIVIC BUT MY VIN ISNT INCLUDED. HONDA KNOWS THEY NEED TO EXTENDED OR OPEN RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE VINS. THIS IS HONDAS MESS UP BUY PUTTING IN A FAULTY TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #11296711
126,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Power Train
MY SON JUST RETURNED BACK TO COLLEGE .. .. SO GRATEFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN.. BUT THE NEXT DAY HE WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE .. CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT.. DIDN'T DRIVE 10 FT WHEN THE CAR LOST ACCELLERATION AND FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP....SO HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED TO PUT IT IN DRI…
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MY SON JUST RETURNED BACK TO COLLEGE .. .. SO GRATEFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN.. BUT THE NEXT DAY HE WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE .. CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT.. DIDN'T DRIVE 10 FT WHEN THE CAR LOST ACCELLERATION AND FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP....SO HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE WHEN IT STARTED TO GO IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN SO HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN FEB /2015. THIS HAS BEEN A DEPENDABLE CAR UP UNTIL THIS POINT. I BELIEVE THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 2014/2015 RECALL BUT WASN'T FOR WHATEVER REASON. IT CLEARLY IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL IS CLAIMING. I AM SO GRATEFUL THIS DID NOT CAUSE MY SON TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT... SO FAR FROM HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11292563
43,900 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Power Train
MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF ISSUES WHEN PURCHASED AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES 11/1/18 UPON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 39,000 MILES IT WAS NOTED THAT THOUGH TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS AT SAFE LEVELS THERE APPEARED TO BE A LEAK AS CONDENSATION WAS NOTICED BY THE THIRD PARTY OIL SERVICE TECHNICIAN. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP AN EYE OUT …
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MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF ISSUES WHEN PURCHASED AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES 11/1/18 UPON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 39,000 MILES IT WAS NOTED THAT THOUGH TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS AT SAFE LEVELS THERE APPEARED TO BE A LEAK AS CONDENSATION WAS NOTICED BY THE THIRD PARTY OIL SERVICE TECHNICIAN. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY ISSUES. I DROVE MY VEHICLE WITH NO OBVIOUS ISSUES OF DRIVEWAY LEAKS OR SERVICE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE INDICATING A TRANSMISSION ISSUE IT ALSO SEEMED TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AT 43,900MILES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THE DRIVE LIGHT WAS BLINKING AND MY CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE I NEVER HEARD BEFORE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION AS MY CAR JUST STOPED ACCELERATING AS I WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ALL HAPPENED PRETTY QUICKLY AS THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING SHORTLY AFTER THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED DUE TO NEGLIGENCE BY THE THIRD PARTY OIL TECHNICIAN REMOVING THE CAP FROM MY VEHICLE AND NOT PUTTING IT BACK. I CAN SAY THAT THE CAP WAS NOT REMOVED AS I WAS IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE ONLY. THE THIRD PARTY COMPANY HAS EXPLAINED THAT THEY ALSO WOULD NOT HAVE REMOVED THE CAP AS TRANSMISSION LEVELS A DIGITALLY CHECKED FOR MY VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL. ALSO THIS INCIDENT WAS 8 MONTHS AFTER THEY LAST SERVICED MY VEHICLE. THERE IS NO OUTSIDE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW THE CAP WAS REMOVED FOUND UNHINGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. BELOW ARE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11290218
97,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
Power Train
I WAS TAKING MY MOM TO WORK AT AROUND 4AM. ON MY WAY BACK MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE AROUND AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RAN FINE, BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE. MY CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS LEFT ON NEUTRAL. ONCE I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECH…
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I WAS TAKING MY MOM TO WORK AT AROUND 4AM. ON MY WAY BACK MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY NO CARS WERE AROUND AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RAN FINE, BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE. MY CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS LEFT ON NEUTRAL. ONCE I GOT IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION PRETTY MUCH BLEW OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. ANYWAYS I GOT A NEW TRANSMISSION AND SHORTLY AFTER (NOVEMBER 2019) I COULD FEEL MY CAR JOLTING IF I CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR EVEN ACCELERATED. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BINDING. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT ONCE AGAIN. NOW THE CAR FEELS SOMEWHAT BETTER, BUT STILL JERKS WITH SOME STOPS. I'VE LOOKED UP MY VIN FOR RECALLS AND NOTHING HAS COME UP, BUT THIS IS MY 3RD ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND USED IT FOR DAILY COMMUTES. ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 97,000-100,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE SO I'M UNSURE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI #11289222
114,835 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Power Train
THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE LIKE IT WANTED TO STOP BUT IT WAS STILL MOVING AND THEN IT SHOOK HARD AND THEN THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AND IT LOST ACCELERATION AND STOPPED IN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11287571
78,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesWheelsCrashInjury
IT WAS RAINING, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN AND IT WAS AS IF THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP, TCS BLINKING ON AND OFF, AND THE TIRES REMAINED PULLING AS IF POWER WAS STILL BEING SENT TO THE FRONT TWO, LOCKED UP, TIRES AND I HAD NO CONTROL AS THE CAR PULLED ME STRAIGHT FORWARD INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE RESULTING IN A COLLISION THAT HAD…
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IT WAS RAINING, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN AND IT WAS AS IF THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP, TCS BLINKING ON AND OFF, AND THE TIRES REMAINED PULLING AS IF POWER WAS STILL BEING SENT TO THE FRONT TWO, LOCKED UP, TIRES AND I HAD NO CONTROL AS THE CAR PULLED ME STRAIGHT FORWARD INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE RESULTING IN A COLLISION THAT HAD ME HIT A STOPPED CAR SO HARD IT SPUN THE OTHER CAR AROUND AND TOTALED MY CAR. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 500 FEET OF WHERE I INITIALLY PULLED OUT ONTO THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING ON WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO MALFUNCTION TO THE ROAD WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ONTO TO AVOID THE CRASH AND COULD NOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #11280248
158,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-80 AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. RPMS WOULD GO TO 4000. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW. I COULD HAVE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-80 AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. RPMS WOULD GO TO 4000. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW. I COULD HAVE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO TOW THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO SHOP WHO ASSESSED THE CAR SAID THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE IS ONLY 158,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD JUST STOP WORKING. THE SHOP SAID IT WOULD BE $5100 TO REPLACE.
NHTSA ODI #11278148
69,000 miles · Oct 30, 2019
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. I HAD TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO PUT THE CAT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE STILL NOTHING. I'M SO GLAD I WASN'T GOING FASTER THAN 35MPH CUZ THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SCARY IF IT DID THAT WHILE I WAS DOING 65 OR 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT IT MY…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. I HAD TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO PUT THE CAT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE STILL NOTHING. I'M SO GLAD I WASN'T GOING FASTER THAN 35MPH CUZ THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SCARY IF IT DID THAT WHILE I WAS DOING 65 OR 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT IT MY VIN BUT IT SAYS NO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. I FOUND A RECALL THAT STATES 2015 TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED. SO WHY ISN'T MY VEHICLE BEING FLAGGED FOR THIS
NHTSA ODI #11277224
61,000 miles · Oct 28, 2019
Power Train
THE INTERNAL SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AT 61K MILES ON A ROAD TRIP, THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN WE LEFT FOR A ROAD TRIP, ON OUR WAY BACK HOME THIS HAPPENED. HONDA HAS BEEN OF NO HELP TO ME IN THIS SITUATION WITH A CASE MANAGER TELLING ME "THATS NOT MY…
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THE INTERNAL SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AT 61K MILES ON A ROAD TRIP, THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN WE LEFT FOR A ROAD TRIP, ON OUR WAY BACK HOME THIS HAPPENED. HONDA HAS BEEN OF NO HELP TO ME IN THIS SITUATION WITH A CASE MANAGER TELLING ME "THATS NOT MY PROBLEM". I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO EITHER BUY THE CAR BACK AT FAIR MARKET VALUE OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AS I AM ON FEAR OF MY SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #11271587
52,000 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Power Train
MY CIVIC HAS 52000 MILES ON IT & HAS ALWAYS RAN PERFECTLY FINE & HAS BEEN MAINTAINANCED PROPERLY SINCE I GOT IT. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY & IT STARTED TO BOG DOWN LIKE IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SENSOR CAME ONLY DASH SCREEN & ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN PULLED OVER & PUT THE CAR IN PARK & THE DRIVE "D…
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MY CIVIC HAS 52000 MILES ON IT & HAS ALWAYS RAN PERFECTLY FINE & HAS BEEN MAINTAINANCED PROPERLY SINCE I GOT IT. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY & IT STARTED TO BOG DOWN LIKE IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SENSOR CAME ONLY DASH SCREEN & ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN PULLED OVER & PUT THE CAR IN PARK & THE DRIVE "D" WAS BLINKING & CHECK EMISSION SYSTEM ALSO POPPED UP ON DASH SCREEN. I THEN PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE IN HOPES TO TURN IT AROUND & GET IT BACK TO HOUSE IT ACCELERATED BUT STILL BOGGED WITH PARKING"P" LIT UP. I GOT IT HOME TURNED IT OFF & CALLED TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS. I DROVE IT WITH NO PROBLEMS OTHER THEN CHECK TRANSMISSION & EMISSION SENSOR ON DASH SCREEN TO SHOP WHEN I GOT THERE IT WAS ROUGH TO PUT IN PARK & COULD HEAR IT SWITCH BETWEEN GEARS WHEN MOVING STICK TO PUT IN PARK WHICH COULD NEVER HEAR BEFORE. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY'RE SAYING IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS YEAR, MAKE & MODEL HAS RECALLS FOR THE EXACT ISSUES GOING ON WITH MY CAR. AS I SHOULD NOT HAVE TRAMISSION FAILURE AT 50000 MILES IN A CAR THAT I MAINTAINANCED PROPERLY & DROVE PRETTY MUCH ONLY AROUND MY SMALL TOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11242942
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.