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2012 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda CR-V do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 400.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

279 reports with mileage · 124 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.

  • Engine. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports4 fire reports19 injury reports

Engine complaints

89 reports
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41,000 miles · Jul 20, 2017
Engine

THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON IN COLD WEATHER, USUALLY WHEN IT IS FIRST TURNED ON IN THE MORNING. I LIVE ON THE GULF COAST, SO IT REALLY DOESN'T EVEN GET THAT COLD DOWN HERE, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MULTIPLE "COLD" MORNINGS (TEMPERATURES MAYBE IN THE 40S). I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPO…

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THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON IN COLD WEATHER, USUALLY WHEN IT IS FIRST TURNED ON IN THE MORNING. I LIVE ON THE GULF COAST, SO IT REALLY DOESN'T EVEN GET THAT COLD DOWN HERE, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MULTIPLE "COLD" MORNINGS (TEMPERATURES MAYBE IN THE 40S). I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CAR, BUT IT DOES NOT SOUND GOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11006517

31,000 miles · Jun 30, 2017
Engine

WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11002527

99,000 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Engine

I BOUGHT A USED CRV FROM THE DEALER IN MANCHESTER NH. IT IS NOT UNDER WARANTEE ANYMORE. THE VTC ACTUATOR IS BAD AND I NEED IT REPLACED. IT WAS RECALLED BY HONDA. THEY ARE TELLING ME ITS ONLY UP TO 60 K MILES. I BOUGHT IT WITH THAT MANY ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10993802

47,000 miles · May 15, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherCrash

WIFE PULLED CAR INTO ATTACHED GARAGE, HAS STOPPED, NEEDED TO MOVE UP 1-2 FEET, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERPOWERED THE BRAKES, SMASHED A CABINET IN GARAGE, HIT INSIDE WALL, BROKE STUDS, AND MOVED OTHERS DAMAGE BOTH WALL IN GARAGE AND INSIDE HOME, THERE WERE MARKS ON GARAGE FLOOR PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID, NOT SKID …

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WIFE PULLED CAR INTO ATTACHED GARAGE, HAS STOPPED, NEEDED TO MOVE UP 1-2 FEET, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERPOWERED THE BRAKES, SMASHED A CABINET IN GARAGE, HIT INSIDE WALL, BROKE STUDS, AND MOVED OTHERS DAMAGE BOTH WALL IN GARAGE AND INSIDE HOME, THERE WERE MARKS ON GARAGE FLOOR PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID, NOT SKID MARKS INSTEAD IT WAS FROM FRONT WHEELS SPINNING AS IT PUSHED A CABINET INTO AND THROUGH 2 WALLS - TOOK TO DEALEER, HONDA CORPORATE WAS INVOLVED, BEFORE HONDA PEOPLE WE INVOLVED, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUALTION, (NOTE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED OTHER WAS PARKING IN OUTSIDE PARKING LOT, WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT BARELY) IT WAS SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, BY HONDA, CORPORATE, FACTORY REP NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO CALL US. WIFE WAS ACCIDENT FREE 50+ YEARS, SHE IS SHORT ABOUT 5 FOOT, DRIVES WITH RIGHT FOOT ONLY. THERE IS AN ENGINEER OR SOMEONE BACK IN 2012 ALREADY 136,000 REPORTED ACCIDENTS ACROSS ALL MAKES AND MODELS, SUV AND FOREIGN CARS WERE THE WORST, 92% WERE AT SLOW SPEED MOSTLY PARKING, THE ONE THING IN COMMON IS EVERYTHING IS ELECTRONIC, BATTERIES ARE SMALLER AND AT LOW SPEEDS ALL THE POWER BEING USED CAUSES A SPIKE TO THE COMPUTER, WHICH CONTROLS SPEED, NO CABLES OR RODS TO BE PUSHED ON GAS PEDAL ANYMORE, TO MAKE IT WORSE ANOTHER CAR SAME MODEL, YEAR, MAKE IN ON YOUR SITE AS ID 10794564 LOOK AT VIN # ALMOST IDENTICAL. WITH ALL THIS HAPPENING IT APPEARS THE MANUFACTURES ARE NOT BOTHERING TO FIND A COMMON CAUSE FOR THIS, SAVES THEM MONEY, BUT THE DAMAGES, INJURIES, AND DEATHS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND IN 10+ YEARS

NHTSA ODI #10985733

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2017
Engine

VTC ACTUATOR ..HONDA HAS BEEN HAVING RECALLS ON THE ACCORD AND ITS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE'S CRV..THE HONDA DEALERS WANT $1000, REPLACE WITH A NEW UP-GRADED UNIT.. VERY LOUD NOISE ON EVERY START...

NHTSA ODI #10984766

20,000 miles · Apr 11, 2017
Engine

2012 HONDA CR-V VTC ACTUATOR RECALL.....WHENEVER I START MY CAR I HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THE VTC ACTUATOR. THE NOISE IS VERY ANNOYING IT MAKES LOUD LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #10971932

6,600 miles · Mar 24, 2017
EnginePower Train

I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CRV EXL + NAVI 2WD AND LAST 3-4 YEARS I VISITED HONDA DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES AND HONDA PART # 44500-T0A-A00 WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES. THERE IS STILL OIL LEAK FROM PASSENGER SITE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE HALF SHAFT BEARING. LAST TIME VE…

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I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CRV EXL + NAVI 2WD AND LAST 3-4 YEARS I VISITED HONDA DEALERSHIPS MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES AND HONDA PART # 44500-T0A-A00 WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES. THERE IS STILL OIL LEAK FROM PASSENGER SITE INTERMEDIATE DRIVE HALF SHAFT BEARING. LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 14 MONTHS AGO AT HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE LEAK CAME BACK AGAIN. HONDA REGIONAL MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. (NO HELP THERE...) THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY (AND ITS RUNNING OUT...) I CALLED LAST HONDA DEALER AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY REPLACE THE SAME PART AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL LEAK STOPS. AND FOR HOW LONG REPEAT THE SAME REPAIR? I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND KEEP REPAIRING WRONG THING. I WAS WONDERING IF IS THERE WAS SOMEONE AT "HELPFUL HONDA" THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH IT'S PRODUCTS DESIGN AND CAN DIAGNOSE WHERE THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM. THERE IS ALWAYS WET OIL RESIDUE UNDER MY SPLASH GUARD WHICH COULD BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD...I HAVE ALL 6-7 TIMES DEALER REPAIR WORK INVOICES AS A PROOF.

NHTSA ODI #10968406

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2017
Engine

THE CAM ACTUATOR GEAR ASSEMBLY" PART #14310R44A01, ACT. ASSY., 46T VTC THIS PART RATTLES FOR A FEW SECONDS ON STARTUP. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING (ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER) SINCE THE CAR WAS ONE YEAR OLD (IT IS NOW 3 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS OLD).

NHTSA ODI #10955744

42,000 miles · Feb 18, 2017
Engine

OUR CAR STARTED VIBRATING DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20-30 MPH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES (WARRANTY). THIS VIBRATION IS VERY NOTICEABLE AROUND TOWN WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS. THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES! IF PUSHED HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR THE ISSUE DOES NOT HAPPEN, FOR INSTANCE WHEN GOING ON THE FREEWAY. WE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN #…

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

NHTSA ODI #10955448

73,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
EngineVisibility/wiper

PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM. THE 2012-2016 CR-V MODELS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE HEATER CORE BECOMING CLOGGED, AND NOT GENERATING ENOUGH HEAT FOR PROPER DEFROSTING, DEFOGGING AND CABIN HEATING. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS WIDE-SPREAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ISSUE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #14-063 (SEE ATTACHED) FOR FLUSHING …

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PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM. THE 2012-2016 CR-V MODELS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE HEATER CORE BECOMING CLOGGED, AND NOT GENERATING ENOUGH HEAT FOR PROPER DEFROSTING, DEFOGGING AND CABIN HEATING. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS WIDE-SPREAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ISSUE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #14-063 (SEE ATTACHED) FOR FLUSHING OF COOLING SYSTEM, AT A COST TO THE CAR OWNER OF APPROXIMATELY $470.00. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY FACTORY-INSTALLED COOLANT (THIS IS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 105K MILES). SINCE OUR CR-V STILL HAD THE FACTORY COOLANT AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS, AND COULD BE SAFETY-RELATED DUE TO INEFFECTIVE DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING, SHOULD THESE BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL AT HONDA'S EXPENSE, AND THOSE OWNERS WHO PAID FOR THIS TO BE CORRECTED BE REIMBURSED?

NHTSA ODI #10949703

Official recalls

3

13V143000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

12V501000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 16, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 CR-V, equipped with the LX trim level and manufactured from August 30, 2012, to August 31, 2012. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." The incorrect values for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size were specified on the safety certification label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will apply the corrective label free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

12V338000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Jul 19, 2012

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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

3

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.

EQ12002 · Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

Opened Feb 14, 2012 · Closed May 8, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems