MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 9/27/2018 IN HER 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE HIT HER HEAD, CHEST, AND PELVIS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. SHE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH WHEN A CAR STARTED TO TURN IN FRONT OF HER, AND THEY COLLIDED NEARLY HEAD-ON.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
380 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO OPEN ROAD HONDA (50 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817, (732)-234-9716) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 FOR 2014 AND 2015 HONDA CIVICS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MY 2015 CIVIC WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2015 AND ON SEPT. 10, 2018 EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO CARS IN THE RECALL. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF THE RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THESE I…
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A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 FOR 2014 AND 2015 HONDA CIVICS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MY 2015 CIVIC WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2015 AND ON SEPT. 10, 2018 EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO CARS IN THE RECALL. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF THE RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. AMERICAN HONDA IS MAINTAINING NO RESPONSIBILITY AND REFERRED ME TO NHTSA, CLAIMING MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. BUT THE TIME FRAME AND PROBLEM EXPERIENCED IS SUSPECT.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, IT FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A TURN AND NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OUT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE OKAY. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE CAR JUST JERKED WITH A BIG CLUNKING SOUND AND THEN IT STOPPED ALL TOGETH…
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ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, IT FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A TURN AND NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OUT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE OKAY. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE CAR JUST JERKED WITH A BIG CLUNKING SOUND AND THEN IT STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. I WAS STRANDED WITH A DEAD CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL AND IT ONLY HAD 61,00 MILES ON IT!!
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MOVE AFTER YOU APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (SAM LINDER HONDA, 300 AUTO CENTER CIR, SALINAS, CA 93907, (831)-424-1500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (SAM LINDER HONDA, 300 AUTO CENTER CIR, SALINAS, CA 93907, (831)-424-1500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
I WAS SLOWLY TURNING MY VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RESTAURANT. THE CAR WAS FACING THE BUILDING WITH A SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN.PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT SLOW IT DOWN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, JUMPING THE…
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I WAS SLOWLY TURNING MY VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING LOT OF A RESTAURANT. THE CAR WAS FACING THE BUILDING WITH A SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN.PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT SLOW IT DOWN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, JUMPING THE CURBED SIDEWALK AND STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE BRICK WALL OF THE BUILDING. I WAS ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM THE LARGE WINDOW THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS NOON AND FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CUSTOMERS ON THE SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE COSTING $7773 IN REPAIRS. I WAS EVALUATED AT THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE CREW. I HAD AN ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE AND A SORE SHOULDER/NECK. THE DEALER'S STAFF AND THE REGIONAL MANAGER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT HUMAN ERROR. I KNOW I WAS NOT PRESSING ON THE GAS. THE REGIONAL MANAGER ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CRASH SITE TO DEMONSTRATE FOR HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AS IT WOULD MAKE IT MORE CLEAR TO HIM THAN READING ABOUT IT. I DECLINED THIS LUDICROUS REQUEST! A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AS WELL AS INSURANCE CLAIMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.
AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT VIN NUMBER ON THE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT IS DAMAGED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR LOCKED UP AND BRAKED AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. THIS IS BAD LUCKILY I WAS ON A DESERTED FREEWAY AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. THIS IS DANGEROUS.
I JUST PURCHASED THIS HONDA CERTIFIED USED CAR ON MAY 7, 2018. AFTER I STARTED IT IN MY DARK GARAGE THE NEXT MORNING, I NOTICED THAT TO THE RIGHT OF THE CLOCK WAS A WHITE "PASSENGER AIRBAG" NOTICE THAT WAS ON AND REMAINED ON. I HADN'T NOTICED IT IN THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME. …
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I JUST PURCHASED THIS HONDA CERTIFIED USED CAR ON MAY 7, 2018. AFTER I STARTED IT IN MY DARK GARAGE THE NEXT MORNING, I NOTICED THAT TO THE RIGHT OF THE CLOCK WAS A WHITE "PASSENGER AIRBAG" NOTICE THAT WAS ON AND REMAINED ON. I HADN'T NOTICED IT IN THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THAT NOTICE CAME ON RIGHT AWAY FOLLOWED WITH WITH A LARGER, AMBER-COLORED "OFF" SIGN UNDER IT. THIS OFF SIGN WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW SECONDS, BUT THE WHITE "PASSENGER AIRBAG" NOTICE STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THAT I DRIVE THE CAR, AND EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING ON OR NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SOMEONE IN SERVICE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN. I CHECKED MY OWNER'S MANUAL ON PAGES 8-11 BUT THE INFORMATION THERE ABOUT THE AIRBAG WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR AS THOUGH IT WAS ONE LIGHT, WHEREAS ON MY CAR IT IS TWO LIGHTS...THE WHITE "PASSENGER AIRBAG" LIGHT THAT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, AND THE AMBER "OFF" LIGHT THAT IS ONLY ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE NORMAL FOR IT TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. WHEN I GOT TO THE HONDA WEST, LAS VEGAS, SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE MORNING OF MAY 9, 2018, I SHOWED THE SERVICE REP WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HE TOLD ME THAT HIS OLDER HONDA HAD DONE EXACTLY THE SAME THING, AND IT WAS NORMAL. I ASKED HIM TO SIT IN MY PASSENGER SEAT (WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING) AND THE WHITE "PASSENGER AIRBAG" LIGHT REMAIN ON. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GETTING THE CORRECT INFORMATION FROM THIS SERVICE GUY. I TRIED TO FIND A WAY TO CONTACT HONDA USA TO ASK THEM, BUT I COULDN'T FIND A WAY TO DO SO. SO CONTACTING YOU SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO HOPEFULLY GET THIS RESOLVED. THE WEIGHT SENSORS ON THE SEAT SEEM TO BE TRICKY AND I DON'T KNOW IF MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS O.K.
Official recalls
115V574000 · 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
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.
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