NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
89 reportsClear category filter33,200 miles · Sep 23, 2015
Engine
PURCHASED A HONDA CRV 2012 FROM A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO ME FOR A TEST DRIVE WHICH RESULTED IN MY NOT HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE ON STARTUP. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME YOU START IT (COLD STARTS...WHEN I START IT IN THE MORNING IT MAKES THE SOUND AND IF I START IT WITHIN 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE I…
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PURCHASED A HONDA CRV 2012 FROM A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO ME FOR A TEST DRIVE WHICH RESULTED IN MY NOT HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE ON STARTUP. THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME YOU START IT (COLD STARTS...WHEN I START IT IN THE MORNING IT MAKES THE SOUND AND IF I START IT WITHIN 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL START IT IS MUCH MILDER OF A NOISE.) THE HONDA MECHANIC SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT (STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME) BECAUSE HONDA HAS NOT DONE A "SOFTWARE UPDATE." I NOW SEE, AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HONDA CRV'S THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10773718
35,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Engine
LOUD NOISE ON START-UP ALL THE TIME (DOESN'T MATTER IF COLD OR HOT). TOOK TO DEALER, PEORIA, IL - 12/30/2014 SUSPECTED VTC ACTUATOR. DEALER SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE, AFTER I EVEN RECORDED THE NOISE. BROUGHT BACK IN APRIL 2015, INSISTED THEY LISTEN WHILE I WAS THERE. DIAGNOSED VTC ACTUATOR. SAID HONDA HAD A TECH BULLETIN, …
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LOUD NOISE ON START-UP ALL THE TIME (DOESN'T MATTER IF COLD OR HOT). TOOK TO DEALER, PEORIA, IL - 12/30/2014 SUSPECTED VTC ACTUATOR. DEALER SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE, AFTER I EVEN RECORDED THE NOISE. BROUGHT BACK IN APRIL 2015, INSISTED THEY LISTEN WHILE I WAS THERE. DIAGNOSED VTC ACTUATOR. SAID HONDA HAD A TECH BULLETIN, SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ALLOW DEALER TO FIX IT. TOLD TO CHECK BACK AGAIN SOON. I CHECKED BACK OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. SAME ANSWER. THERE IS NO FIX, HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I CAN'T RESALE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS NOISE. THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD AND EMBARRASSING ON EVERY START UP. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX OR PROVIDE ANY SOLUTION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENT HONDA VEHICLES, AND CONSUMERS CAN'T GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10764021
40,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Engine
COLD START OF ENGINE CAUSES LOUD GRINDING NOISE ONLY 2 AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP 50,000 MILES LOOKING ONLINE IT IS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM AND IS AN ENGINE DESIGN FLAW. HONDA ONLY SAYS IT'S WORKING ON THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A FIX YET. THEY SAY THE OFFICIAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE VTEC ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE. GIVEN THE NUMB…
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COLD START OF ENGINE CAUSES LOUD GRINDING NOISE ONLY 2 AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP 50,000 MILES LOOKING ONLINE IT IS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM AND IS AN ENGINE DESIGN FLAW. HONDA ONLY SAYS IT'S WORKING ON THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A FIX YET. THEY SAY THE OFFICIAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE VTEC ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF POSTS ASKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I WOULD ASSUME THE COMPANY WOULD WORK ON IT ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #10758990
43,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IF IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IF IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER FOUR HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748059
3,600 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE BRAND-NEW THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A "FIX." NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN- BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME AND MY YOUNG CHILDREN STRANDED FOR HOURS. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE END OF MAY (ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE BRAND-NEW THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS HAD BEEN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A "FIX." NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN- BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME AND MY YOUNG CHILDREN STRANDED FOR HOURS. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE END OF MAY (ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO) AND EVERYTHING PASSED INSPECTION THEN. ALSO LIKE OTHER REPORTS I SEE, MY ENGINE SOMETIMES MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN STARTING. MY DEALERSHIP SAID THAT "THIS JUST SOMETIMES HAPPENS." I'M NOT CONVINCED- I'VE DRIVEN SOME VERY OLD CARS THAT DON'T EVEN DO THIS! THIS WAS MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND I'M NOT PLEASED.
NHTSA ODI #10732075
36,306 miles · Jul 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
LOUD METALLIC RATTLE NOISE ON COLD START-UP. HONDA DEALER FOUND HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 09-010 ISSUED, BUT NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE.
NHTSA ODI #10731929
500 miles · Feb 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS DRIVING, CAME TO A STOP AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO 25 MPH. THE CAR HESITATED UPON ACCELERATION AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. NORMALLY WHEN IT OCCURS IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR CORNER. HOWEVER, IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I'VE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, LET …
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THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS DRIVING, CAME TO A STOP AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO 25 MPH. THE CAR HESITATED UPON ACCELERATION AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. NORMALLY WHEN IT OCCURS IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR CORNER. HOWEVER, IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I'VE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, LET OFF THE GAS AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I REPORTED IT TO HONDA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING IF THE DEALER THE CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAD NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND COULD LEAD TO A COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683001
30,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Engine
DURING COLD WEATHER (WINTER) WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING THERE IS A ONE TIME GRINDING NOISE? DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL VALVE, DEALER REPLACED VTC, NOISE DIDN'T GO AWAY. DEALER NOW INDICATES THAT HONDA IS WORKING ON PERMANENT SOLUTION BUT IT HAS BEEN CLOSE TO A YEAR…
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DURING COLD WEATHER (WINTER) WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING THERE IS A ONE TIME GRINDING NOISE? DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL VALVE, DEALER REPLACED VTC, NOISE DIDN'T GO AWAY. DEALER NOW INDICATES THAT HONDA IS WORKING ON PERMANENT SOLUTION BUT IT HAS BEEN CLOSE TO A YEAR AND NO PERMANENT SOLUTION SO FAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659453
6,723 miles · Nov 4, 2014
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WENT TO PARK IN A DIAGONAL, ON STREET PARKING SPOT, AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP. THE CAR INSTEAD ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND PROCEEDED INTO AN ADJOINING PARKING LOT. I TURNED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID VEHICLES AND STRUCK THE RETAINING WALL AT THE BACK OF THE LOT WITH MY LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THIS IMPACT STEEPENED THE TURN…
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I WENT TO PARK IN A DIAGONAL, ON STREET PARKING SPOT, AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP. THE CAR INSTEAD ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND PROCEEDED INTO AN ADJOINING PARKING LOT. I TURNED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID VEHICLES AND STRUCK THE RETAINING WALL AT THE BACK OF THE LOT WITH MY LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THIS IMPACT STEEPENED THE TURN AND SHOT ME BACK OUT OF THE LOT AND ONTO THE STREET. I PROCEEDED UP THE STREET, THE CAR ACCELERATING ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TO DETERMINE IF I WAS ACCIDENTALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND FELT I WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR PROCEEDED RAPIDLY UP THE STREET, OVER 1/10TH MILE IN DISTANCE. IN A PANIC TO TRY AND STOP THE CAR I STOMPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEELS. MY REAR TIRES WERE IN A SKID FOR OVER 150 FEET, WHICH PRODUCED A SIDEWAYS SKID, THE CAR TURNING RIGHT AND SLAMMING BROADSIDE INTO A PARK VEHICLE WHICH STOPPED ME. I FEEL THIS IS A CASE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AND HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS IN LATE MODEL CRVS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652485
15,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Engine
THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE COMPLAINT ON THE 2013 I SAW POSTED WHICH IS..." THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. T…
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THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE COMPLAINT ON THE 2013 I SAW POSTED WHICH IS..." THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000. KMJ ..... ON MY 2012, IT HAS BEEN IN TO SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM TWICE- THEY REPLACED AN ACTUATOR FOR THE STARTER- BUT NOW ADMIT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT USUALLY OCCURS IN COLDER WEATHER AND IT IS A HECK OF A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTING THAT CONTINUES AFTER THE KEY HAS BEEN RETURNED TO NORMAL.. FOR UP TO ABOUT 20 SECONDS. I WAS TOLD THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ADMITS TO IT.. AND IS WORKING ON A FIX-- BUT THAT WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO NOW- AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM WHAT TO DO... WE DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR TO START- AND WILL BE WORRIED MORE AS WINTER APPROACHES..THE PRIMARY REASON WE BUY HONDA'S TO BE DEPENDABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615999
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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
3EA21002 · 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.