NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
176 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD IT ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS. MY ISSUES STARTED WITH MY BATTERY FAILING TWICE WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH OTHER. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW ONES ONLY A YEAR AFTER BUYING IT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE SO WORN DOWN AS IF THEY WERE NOT NEW TO BEGIN WITH. THEN I HAD A SYSTEM FAILURE THAT REQUIRED MY CAR TO B…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD IT ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS. MY ISSUES STARTED WITH MY BATTERY FAILING TWICE WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH OTHER. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW ONES ONLY A YEAR AFTER BUYING IT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE SO WORN DOWN AS IF THEY WERE NOT NEW TO BEGIN WITH. THEN I HAD A SYSTEM FAILURE THAT REQUIRED MY CAR TO BE TAKEN IN TO SERVICE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. THEN MORE RECENTLY I HAD A TRANSMISSION PIECE FAILURE THAT EMPTIED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE POINT THAT I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND MY CAR SLOWLY STOPPED MOVING WHICH EVENTUALLY HAD ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A COUPLE HOURS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET TOWED. HONESTLY ONE OF THE WORST EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE. I WAS BY MYSELF ON THE SIDE OF A WOODED AREA WHILE IT WAS GETTING DARK. WHEN I HAD MY CAR NOT START IT WAS IN A STATIONARY POTION. WHEN MY CAR HAD A WEIRD SYSTEM MOLT DOWN I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP I WAS ALSO DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING I WAS ON A MAIN STREET AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11242365
122,000 miles · Jul 26, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ARRIVED AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PRIORITY HONDA (3311 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24019, (540) 366-0888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ARRIVED AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PRIORITY HONDA (3311 PETERS CREEK RD, ROANOKE, VA 24019, (540) 366-0888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA ODI #11235150
66,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT FEELS DAMAGED, IT MAY BREAK, THE VEHICLE MAY LOOSES ACCELERATION AND IT KEEPS STICKING
NHTSA ODI #11234280
123,200 miles · Jul 21, 2019
Power Train
DRIVING AND IT JUST CUT OFF IN BUSY HIGHWAY.! GOT IT TO SIDE OF ROAD. IT WOULD START BUT WHEN YOU PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ANYTHING..THE GEARS SEEMED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.! I BOUGHT NEW. KEPT UP WITH ANYTHING THAT NEEDED DONE. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED MY SON!! NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DIDNT OVERHEAT. J…
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DRIVING AND IT JUST CUT OFF IN BUSY HIGHWAY.! GOT IT TO SIDE OF ROAD. IT WOULD START BUT WHEN YOU PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ANYTHING..THE GEARS SEEMED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.! I BOUGHT NEW. KEPT UP WITH ANYTHING THAT NEEDED DONE. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED MY SON!! NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DIDNT OVERHEAT. JUST CUT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11233695
92,000 miles · Jun 19, 2019
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DOWN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. THE WAY IT FEELS WHEN THEY GRIND DOWN A ROAD FOR REPLACING. I TURNED MY RADIO OFF TO HEAR BETTER. IT SOUNDED ROUGH AND I HEARD A LOUD POP. MY ACCELERATOR THEN MADE MY ENGINE REV. MY CA…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DOWN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD. THE WAY IT FEELS WHEN THEY GRIND DOWN A ROAD FOR REPLACING. I TURNED MY RADIO OFF TO HEAR BETTER. IT SOUNDED ROUGH AND I HEARD A LOUD POP. MY ACCELERATOR THEN MADE MY ENGINE REV. MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. I PUT IN PARK AND COULD HEAR THAT MY ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. I PUT INTO DRIVE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO BUT ONLY REV UP. MY CAR HAS 92,000 MILES AND IS MY DAILY COMMUTER. I HAVE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND IT WAS DUE FOR THE THIRD OIL CHANGE SOON. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC AND PERFORM MY OWN SERVICES. THE OIL FOR TRANNY SERVICE WAS PURCHASED BOTH TIMES FROM YUBA CITY HONDA. I HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. HIGHWAY MILES ARE KNOWN TO BE EASIEST ON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS HAPPENED WITH NO FOREWARNING.
NHTSA ODI #11221228
37,570 miles · May 30, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR SLOWED DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. ALSO WHEN I STOPPED OR WAS SLOWING DOWN, MADE A TURN OR BRAKING THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON INDIVIDUAL DAYS. I PUT ON MY FLASHING HAZARD LIGHTS TO PREVENT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND ON BUSY STREETS. I HAVE READ ABOUT HIS HAPPEN…
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THE CAR SLOWED DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. ALSO WHEN I STOPPED OR WAS SLOWING DOWN, MADE A TURN OR BRAKING THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON INDIVIDUAL DAYS. I PUT ON MY FLASHING HAZARD LIGHTS TO PREVENT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND ON BUSY STREETS. I HAVE READ ABOUT HIS HAPPENING TO SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING IT ONLINE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING HIS CAR, IT'S LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE. I AM HAVING IT CHECKED OUT TOMORROW AT A HONDA DEALER.IT MAY TAKE A WHILE FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE CAUSE. I WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS NOT LISTED AS A RECALLED VEHICLE. SINCE HIS HAS HAPPENED ON DIFFERENT DATES I WILL JUST LIST THE LATEST DATE BELOW.
NHTSA ODI #11210823
92,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Power Train
I WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO DRIVE, I RECALL HEARING A SNAP AND THE CAR WENT ABOUT TWO FEET BEFORE I LOST ALL ACCELERATION.
NHTSA ODI #11205092
83,400 miles · Feb 14, 2019
Power Train
MY HONDA CIVIC 2015 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DOVER HONDA (NH) AROUND APRIL 2016 AND HAD ~83,400 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED (JAN 2019). BEFORE THAT TIME IT WORKED PERFECTLY WELL. NO ONE HAD DONE ANY WORK ON THE CAR TO THAT POINT ASIDE FROM TIRE REPLACEMENT AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE, BUT NOTHING RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. WH…
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MY HONDA CIVIC 2015 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DOVER HONDA (NH) AROUND APRIL 2016 AND HAD ~83,400 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED (JAN 2019). BEFORE THAT TIME IT WORKED PERFECTLY WELL. NO ONE HAD DONE ANY WORK ON THE CAR TO THAT POINT ASIDE FROM TIRE REPLACEMENT AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE, BUT NOTHING RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE MY WIFE WAS TAKING AN EXIT RAMP OFF OF A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY (~40 MPH GRADUAL TURNING), THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCK. THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT, SO SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. A VARIETY OF WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DOVER HONDA (NH). THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION FILL CAP WAS NOT ATTACHED (BUT FOUND ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR) AND A PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED FOR JUST UNDER $400. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE IN WORKING ORDER AFTERWARDS. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO DOVER HONDA. THEY SAID THAT THE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AGAIN, THEY SURMISED THAT A NEARBY SHAFT WAS HITTING IT OCCASIONALLY CAUSING THE DAMAGE. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS DEPENDING ON THE OPTION OF NEW OR USED REPLACEMENT. THEY ALSO CHARGED ME ANOTHER ~$100 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HOW A TRANSMISSION FILL CAP BEING MISSING (ASSUMING THAT IT ACTUALLY WAS MISSING) COULD ALLOW THAT MUCH CONTAMINATION INTO A TRANSMISSION TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON ONLY PAVED ROADS IN A LOW DUST ENVIRONMENT LIKE NEW ENGLAND. WHEN OPENING THE TRANSMISSION THERE WAS NO COMMENT BY THE DEALER ON THE FLUID BEING TERRIBLY DIRTY. THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE THAT APPLIES TO THIS VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER, BUT THE FAILURE MODE SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO NOTICE # 15V574000. AT THIS POINT I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #11180000
66,305 miles · Dec 20, 2018
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING I FELT A VIBRATION. ABOUT 15 MILES LATER THE RPMS WERE HIGH AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY ON A MAJOR ROAD GOING UP HILL. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO WARNING OF ANY SORT. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEP INSISTING THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SWITC…
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WHILE DRIVING I FELT A VIBRATION. ABOUT 15 MILES LATER THE RPMS WERE HIGH AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY ON A MAJOR ROAD GOING UP HILL. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO WARNING OF ANY SORT. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND KEEP INSISTING THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SWITCH, ALTHOUGH IT HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY BURNT AND THE CAR'S DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM STILL DOES NOT REGISTER THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEIR ESTIMATE CLAIMS: "REPLACE TRANSMISSION (DTC P0741 TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH STUCK OFF, DURING INSPECTION FOUND TRANSMISSION PRESSURE VALVE LOOSE ON TRANSMISSION ALLOWING FLUID TO SPILL OUT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BURN INTERNALLY, DTC P0741 TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH STUCK OFF, DURING INSPECTION FOUND TRANSMISSION PRESSURE VALVE LOOSE ON TRANSMISSION ALLOWING FLUID TO SPILL OUT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BURN INTERNALLY)"
NHTSA ODI #11162829
70,000 miles · Dec 15, 2018
Power Train
VEHICLE ( MILEAGE 70,511 ) WAS ABOUT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, WHEN I HEAR A NOISE IN THE POWER TRAIN LIKE A POP SOUND, THEN START LOOSING POWER AND STOP. I KNOW IS A RECALL ON 2014 -15 HONDA CIVIC BUT WHEN I USE THE VIN DOEN NOT SHOW ON THE SYSTEM HONDA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING MY CAR FOR REPLACING MY TRANSMITION …
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VEHICLE ( MILEAGE 70,511 ) WAS ABOUT TO ENTER A HIGHWAY, WHEN I HEAR A NOISE IN THE POWER TRAIN LIKE A POP SOUND, THEN START LOOSING POWER AND STOP. I KNOW IS A RECALL ON 2014 -15 HONDA CIVIC BUT WHEN I USE THE VIN DOEN NOT SHOW ON THE SYSTEM HONDA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING MY CAR FOR REPLACING MY TRANSMITION AND THEY TOLD ME TO GET A LAWYER ...'''''CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 2014 . I NEED HELP.
NHTSA ODI #11161759
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.