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2015 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 180 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 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2023
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

Transmission failed on the freeway December 2021. I was suddenly unable to speed up or accelerate my car. Placed me, my passengers and other people on the freeway at serious risk. Many cars braked suddenly behind me and swerved out the way to prevent a car accident. Dealer at the service center denied a problem and was inspected…

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Transmission failed on the freeway December 2021. I was suddenly unable to speed up or accelerate my car. Placed me, my passengers and other people on the freeway at serious risk. Many cars braked suddenly behind me and swerved out the way to prevent a car accident. Dealer at the service center denied a problem and was inspected by them. No warming lamps or messages.

NHTSA ODI #11554984

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

After coming to a complete stop at a Stop Sign with the Honda Civil, my husband (he) started to accelerate, but he could only go up to about 20 mph in a 55-mile zone. Next, the car made a bump noise when his foot was on gas pedal. The car went about 100 feet before it started to slow down on a busy highway. The car was not goi…

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After coming to a complete stop at a Stop Sign with the Honda Civil, my husband (he) started to accelerate, but he could only go up to about 20 mph in a 55-mile zone. Next, the car made a bump noise when his foot was on gas pedal. The car went about 100 feet before it started to slow down on a busy highway. The car was not going the speed limit because it couldn't pick up speed. Multiple cars and trucks had to go around. Next, he had to pull over to the shoulder of the road because the car wouldn't pull no matter what gear it was placed in. The car stopped completely, and it had to be tolled home due to inability to move. Langdale Honda was called and asked about a possible recall on the transmission. They said that I would have to pay about $140 for an inspection for the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11552660

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

Failure of transmission control module Description fits exact diagnosis in recall. Check transmission light on at 45,000 miles. Andy Mohr wants money to inspect it. I an more than willing to if they will inspect it for free but it is not drivable. If they would come pick it up I would be happy to let them drive it all they wan…

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Failure of transmission control module Description fits exact diagnosis in recall. Check transmission light on at 45,000 miles. Andy Mohr wants money to inspect it. I an more than willing to if they will inspect it for free but it is not drivable. If they would come pick it up I would be happy to let them drive it all they want. The problem came with no warning on the Highway. car wouldn’t no longer switch to second gear. Purchased at Andy Mohr Honda in Bloomington at 17,000 miles off lease from some someone who barely drove it. Certified Preowned by Honda. Paid in full, feel ripped off. Yes, available for inspection on request No warning: transmission complete failure 2015 Silver Honda Civic Has been discussed with mechanics at Curry Buick in.Bloomington as well as our Winslow marathon which has great mechanics, they told me to contact you. The issue according to the NTHSB is the “TCM” or transmission control module. resulting in cars wheels locking up, or spinning out of control and not changing gears (this is what happened to me and repeated itself when I waited a week and tried driving around my neighborhood ) the issue is supposed to result in transmission and Powertrain failure, making engine wanting to redline very easily. I’m lucky I didn’t burn my engine up. I didn’t purchase a car in 2018 at 17,000 miles and expect the transmission to fall out at 45,000 miles. That’s unacceptable and I was never notified, and Andy mohr purports that my vehicle was either serviced or software changed resulting in no issue, however a transmission dying at 45,000 mi on a Honda Civic is not right and I suspect Honda notified the previous lessee and they did not service the car or had it improperly serviced. Otherwise I see no reason to have a car fall apart at 45,000 miles. I drive like grandma.

NHTSA ODI #11514998

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2022
Vehicle Speed ControlWheels

I was driving and my tires felt as if they were locking while I was driving. As I was driving up a hill my car slowed down and I couldn’t press on the gas pedal. I luckily was able to get it to a safe spot but I wasn’t able to reverse back or drive forward.

NHTSA ODI #11460443

110,000 miles · Feb 16, 2022
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independen…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with internal transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11452201

81,000 miles · Jan 15, 2021
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

TODAY I WENT UNDER THE HOOD BECAUSE MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ON THE WAY TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AS MY CAR WAS ACTING STRANGE. IT WASNT ACCELERATING AS NORMAL AND DIDNT FEEL LIKE IT WAS SWITCHING GEARS. UNDER THE HOOD I DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FILL CAP WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. IVE READ ONLINE OT…

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TODAY I WENT UNDER THE HOOD BECAUSE MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ON THE WAY TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AS MY CAR WAS ACTING STRANGE. IT WASNT ACCELERATING AS NORMAL AND DIDNT FEEL LIKE IT WAS SWITCHING GEARS. UNDER THE HOOD I DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FILL CAP WAS COMPLETELY MISSING. IVE READ ONLINE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS ADVISED TO FILE THIS REPORT.

NHTSA ODI #11388295

67,390 miles · Jul 29, 2020
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

II HAD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. TO ALLOW AN ONCOMING CAR TO PASS, I STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY, AND HIT MY REAR BUMPER. UPON IMPACT, MY CAR SUDDENLY REVVED AND ACCELERATED TO PERHAPS 20-30 MPH. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE, …

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II HAD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. TO ALLOW AN ONCOMING CAR TO PASS, I STOPPED IN THE INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY, AND HIT MY REAR BUMPER. UPON IMPACT, MY CAR SUDDENLY REVVED AND ACCELERATED TO PERHAPS 20-30 MPH. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED. I QUICKLY APPLIED THE HAND BRAKE, AND MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A FACING BUSINESS. FORTUNATELY, NO HUMAN OR PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALER, WHO THOROUGHLY INSPECTED THE APPLICABLE COMPONENTS; THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS, SO THEY CONTACTED HONDA, WHO SUBSEQUENTLY CAME OUT BUT AGAIN COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT I MIGHT HAVE ERRONEOUSLY APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE MANY YEARS OF EXCELLENT DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND QUICK REACTION TIME. I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE, AND THAT MY CAR EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WITH A SUPPOSED CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH, THIS CAR CONTINUES TO BE MY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS HAVE AN UNDERLYING FEAR THAT THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MIGHT OCCUR AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11342151

178,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST ACCELERATION IN DRIVE POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #11319269

100,365 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

90,000 miles · Nov 8, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED MY CAR DRIVING STRANGE( SOUNDING AND FEELING LIKE IT WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR) MOMENTS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND 2 WARNINGS IN THE DASHBOARD ABOUT MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS. MY CAR BEGIN…

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MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I NOTICED MY CAR DRIVING STRANGE( SOUNDING AND FEELING LIKE IT WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR) MOMENTS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND 2 WARNINGS IN THE DASHBOARD ABOUT MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS. MY CAR BEGIN TO DECELERATE, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND BEING HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I FOUND THIS VERY STRANGE AND DANGEROUS DUE TO MY CAR BEING A 2015 AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11278901

Official recalls

1

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).

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