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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

What owners actually said

380 reports
50,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Power Train

2015 HONDA EX WITH 55,000 MILES WHEN I START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO DRIVE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS MY HALF SHAFT MAKING THE NOISE EVERYDAY WHEN I AM PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE FIRST TIME I USE MY BRAKES THIS NOISE OCCURS AND AFTER I PARK MY CAR FOR…

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2015 HONDA EX WITH 55,000 MILES WHEN I START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO DRIVE WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS MY HALF SHAFT MAKING THE NOISE EVERYDAY WHEN I AM PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE FIRST TIME I USE MY BRAKES THIS NOISE OCCURS AND AFTER I PARK MY CAR FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME FIRST TIME I HIT MY BRAKES WHEN LEAVING THE NOISE IS THERE IT GOES AWAY AFTER THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING BUT ALWAYS COMES BACK AFTER BEING PARKED HIT THE BRAKES AND LOUD CLUNKING NOISE ALWAYS IS THERE LOUD ENOUGH FOR ME AND THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR TO CLEARLY HEAR IT

NHTSA ODI #11351720

57,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Structure

TAFETTA WHITE HONDA CIVIC SI PAINT PEELING AROUND BACK WINDOW FOR THE 2ND TIME WITHIN 1 YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11349980

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE 89000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS MY JUNE CONSUMPTION HAS DECREASED 12-25 MILES PER GALLON. UNDER SIMILAR DRIVING CONDITIONS MY MILEAGE DROPPED FROM AVG OF 50MPG TO 42 MPG. HONDA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE DAILY 8-10 STOP & GO AND HIGHWAY DR…

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I HAVE 89000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS MY JUNE CONSUMPTION HAS DECREASED 12-25 MILES PER GALLON. UNDER SIMILAR DRIVING CONDITIONS MY MILEAGE DROPPED FROM AVG OF 50MPG TO 42 MPG. HONDA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE DAILY 8-10 STOP & GO AND HIGHWAY DRIVING AT SNAGGED OF 45 MPG

NHTSA ODI #11343493

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

45,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Air Bags

INTERMITTENT CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING. RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. STARTED ABOUT JUNE 2019. TOOK IN TO DEALER TO CHECK BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ERROR CODE. WARNING DID NOT SHOW AGAIN UNTIL MAY 2020. HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN SINCE BUT IS STILL INTERMITTENT. WHILE THE WARNING WAS ON TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD IT CHECKED …

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INTERMITTENT CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING. RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. STARTED ABOUT JUNE 2019. TOOK IN TO DEALER TO CHECK BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ERROR CODE. WARNING DID NOT SHOW AGAIN UNTIL MAY 2020. HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN SINCE BUT IS STILL INTERMITTENT. WHILE THE WARNING WAS ON TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD IT CHECKED WHILE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. READ AN ERROR CODE OF B0001:13, OPEN OR INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FIRST INFLATOR. WARNING HAS NOT COME ON SINCE THEN. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK SYSTEM AGAIN. CODE SEEMS TO RESET AND CLEAR ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #11339008

21,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH EVERY GEAR CHANGE I MAKE. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR MAKES A SOUND. THE CAR IS STILL STATIONARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329144

124,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING GARAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OR LESS, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE LOCATION. AN INDEPENDENT M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING GARAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OR LESS, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE LOCATION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.*DT *AS

NHTSA ODI #11327977

75,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Structure

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON 06/01/2015 FROM HONDA. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT IN THAT TIME. I RECENTLY NOTICED THE PAINT IS LITERALLY PEALING OFF THE CAR AROUND THE REAR WINDSHIELD. I WENT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MANY HONDA, TOYOTA, KIA PRODUCTS WERE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ESPECIALLY IN…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON 06/01/2015 FROM HONDA. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT IN THAT TIME. I RECENTLY NOTICED THE PAINT IS LITERALLY PEALING OFF THE CAR AROUND THE REAR WINDSHIELD. I WENT TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MANY HONDA, TOYOTA, KIA PRODUCTS WERE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ESPECIALLY IN WHITE.I CALLED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND APPARENTLY THE RECALL FOR THE PAINT ISSUE DOESN'T COVE MY PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. SO NOW AM LEFT WITH AN ONLY 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH PEALING PAINT. SO I HAVE TO INCUR THE REPAIR COSTS AND HOPE THAT MORE OF THE PAINT DOESN'T END UP COMING OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327097

73,000 miles · May 15, 2020
EngineFire

ON 5/14/2020 IN THE AFTERNOON, I PARKED MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC EX L IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TOOK GROCERIES IN THE HOUSE. I CAME BACK OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND THERE WAS A FIRE STARTING IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (BATTERY AREA). THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED LESS THAN 9 MONTHS AGO AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP. I NOW FIND OUT ACCORDS WERE REC…

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ON 5/14/2020 IN THE AFTERNOON, I PARKED MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC EX L IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TOOK GROCERIES IN THE HOUSE. I CAME BACK OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND THERE WAS A FIRE STARTING IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE (BATTERY AREA). THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED LESS THAN 9 MONTHS AGO AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP. I NOW FIND OUT ACCORDS WERE RECALLED FOR BATTERY FIRES, WHY NOT CIVICS ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324723

84,000 miles · May 11, 2020
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THIS CIVIC AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, IT SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING AND DECELERATING. ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAD TO CUT OFF TRAFFIC TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY CALLED A DAY LATER AND SAID: "THE DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT…

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WHILE DRIVING THIS CIVIC AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, IT SUDDENLY STARTED SURGING AND DECELERATING. ALL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAD TO CUT OFF TRAFFIC TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY CALLED A DAY LATER AND SAID: "THE DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT NO GOOD. NEED NEW TRANSMISSION, WANT TO REPLACE?" I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THE RECALL FOR MANY HONDAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST SINCE ITS NOT A RECALL CAR. I GET IT BUT: ITS THE SAME PART! FURTHER, THE CAR IS MANAGED BY A 'MAINTENANCE REMINDER'. IT TELLS YOU WHEN TO CHANGE FLUIDS/PERFORM MAINTENANCE BASED ON DRIVING HABITS. NOT ONCE DID THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT LIGHT UP. THE DEALER SAID ITS OUR FAULT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T COMPLETE A SERVICE AT 30K INTERVALS. ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. WHO HAS 7K FOR A TRANSMISSION ON A 15K CAR??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324192

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