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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
Clear category filter
20,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING IDLE FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING IDLE FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT DID STATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING MORE THAN 2.5 QUARTS OF ENGINE OIL WITHIN A 15 DAY SPAN. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,492.

NHTSA ODI #10564788

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE 2012 HONDA CR-V INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD PAUSE, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE VEHICLE, HAD BEEN IDLING. THERE WAS ZERO RESPONSE FOR 3-4 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD UNCONTROLLABLY SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLE…

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SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE 2012 HONDA CR-V INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD PAUSE, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE VEHICLE, HAD BEEN IDLING. THERE WAS ZERO RESPONSE FOR 3-4 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD UNCONTROLLABLY SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PROBLEM WAS HER USING HER LEFT FOOT TO BRAKE. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 01/30/14

NHTSA ODI #10560957

20,700 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE DID NOT START ON A COLD MORNING (TUESDAY 07TH JANUARY, 2014, 9:30 AM EST). OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND -10F (AS INDICATED BY CARS DASH). I DO NOT HAVE A GARAGE. SO CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE. I CLEARED SNOW ON TOP OF CAR AND I TRIED STARTING, BUT IT WONT START. I GAVE THE STARTER, 10-12 MINUTES RECOVERY TIME BETWEEN TRYIN…

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VEHICLE DID NOT START ON A COLD MORNING (TUESDAY 07TH JANUARY, 2014, 9:30 AM EST). OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND -10F (AS INDICATED BY CARS DASH). I DO NOT HAVE A GARAGE. SO CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE. I CLEARED SNOW ON TOP OF CAR AND I TRIED STARTING, BUT IT WONT START. I GAVE THE STARTER, 10-12 MINUTES RECOVERY TIME BETWEEN TRYING SUBSEQUENT STARTS. BUT, CAR WOULD MAKE CLICKING NOISE. GEICO EMERGENCY ROADSIDE WAS BACKED UP AND THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE 6 HOURS TO SEND SOME ONE. I HAD TO GET IT JUMP STARTED LATER THAT EVENING. ADDITIONAL FACTS: (I USE THE CAR EVERYDAY. I DID NOT LEAVE ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE/LIGHTS ON ON THE ABOVE DAY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560204

20,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
EngineFire

WHILE DRIVING, I SMELLED SOME BURNING, AND SAW WHITE SMOKES, SO PULLED OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, GOT OUT OF THE CAR. AFTER 30 SECONDS OR (POSSIBLY A FEW MINS), IT CAUGHT FIRE (ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD), AND PEOPLE AROUND US TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE USING THEIR OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO NO AVAIL. FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED WITHIN M…

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WHILE DRIVING, I SMELLED SOME BURNING, AND SAW WHITE SMOKES, SO PULLED OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, GOT OUT OF THE CAR. AFTER 30 SECONDS OR (POSSIBLY A FEW MINS), IT CAUGHT FIRE (ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD), AND PEOPLE AROUND US TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE USING THEIR OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO NO AVAIL. FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED WITHIN MINUTES , AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. AT THIS TIME, INSURANCE DOES NOT SEEM REALLY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT THE ROOT CAUSE. HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY ARE OUT OF THE MIX SINCE THEY DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE. HONDA AMERICA IS SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOK INTO THIS AND SIMPLY WAIT FOR THE OUTCOME FROM INSURANCE INVESTIGATION. HONDA HAS A HISTORY OF RECALLS (CR-V) ASSOCIATED WITH FIRE HAZARDS SPECIFICALLY FROM 2002-2006, AND 2012 CR-V COULD BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL, BUT THEIR RESPONSES OVER THIS ACCIDENT IS SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS. SO I'M FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST NHTSA, HOPING THAT SOMEONE IN THE AGENCY CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS FIRE INCIDENCE, AND HOPEFULLY, THIS CAN PREVENT "FATAL" DISASTERS IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546273

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2013
Engine

I HAVE BEEN HAVING RANDOM INCIDENTS SINCE I GOT THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WHERE THE GAS PEDAL HAS ACCELERATOR ISSUES. USUALLY FROM EITHER A STOP OR SLOW MOVING, I ACCELERATE AND THERE IS NOTHING FOR A FEW SECONDS, A HESITATION, WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HAVE ALSO A…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING RANDOM INCIDENTS SINCE I GOT THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WHERE THE GAS PEDAL HAS ACCELERATOR ISSUES. USUALLY FROM EITHER A STOP OR SLOW MOVING, I ACCELERATE AND THERE IS NOTHING FOR A FEW SECONDS, A HESITATION, WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND HAVE ALSO ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS WHILE TRYING TO TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC AND LOSING ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO SERVICE AND AM TOLD THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO CAN'T FIX IT. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED DRIVING THIS CAR AS IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND THERE IS NO EXPLANATION HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE I WORK WITH HAS THE SAME CAR BUT A 2013 AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513977

165 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED SEVERAL DIAGNOSTICS, WHICH LOCATED FAILURE CODES WITH THE GROUND WIRE, BATTERY, LIFT GATE POWER ASSEMBLY, AND THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED SEVERAL DIAGNOSTICS, WHICH LOCATED FAILURE CODES WITH THE GROUND WIRE, BATTERY, LIFT GATE POWER ASSEMBLY, AND THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AFFECTED PARTS AND UPDATED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10501202

200 miles · Dec 13, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING IS THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES, USUALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS, WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR ACCELERATES. DURING THIS HESITATION PERIOD, THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV, AND THE CAR JUST COASTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10-12 TIME THIS PAST M…

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BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING IS THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES, USUALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS, WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR ACCELERATES. DURING THIS HESITATION PERIOD, THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV, AND THE CAR JUST COASTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10-12 TIME THIS PAST MONTH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM TRYING TO MERGE INTO FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION NOR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME THEY REPORTED THE ISSUE TO HONDA NATIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488654

3,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482788

100 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Engine

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WITH AND WITHOUT THE ECON BUTTON ON, THE CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. TOOK IT TO HONDA AND ASKED THEM TO DRIVE TO WITNESS THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THEY DROVE IT. THE PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT, SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. YOU HAVE TO ADJU…

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IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WITH AND WITHOUT THE ECON BUTTON ON, THE CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. TOOK IT TO HONDA AND ASKED THEM TO DRIVE TO WITNESS THE PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THEY DROVE IT. THE PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT, SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. YOU HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR DRIVING JUST IN CASE IT MIGHT HAPPEN. THE DEALER TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE WITH ECON BUTTON IN CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THAT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT EVENTUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465936

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.

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