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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

Structure complaints

29 reports
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69,721 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Structure

MOONROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. NO IMPACT WITH OBJECT AND NO KNOWN PRIOR DEFECT IN MOONROOF.

NHTSA ODI #10818046

14,268 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING STRUCTURE, AS I PREPARED TO STOP, THE AUTOMOBILE, I THINK, INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. TO SUM UP, I THINK THAT MY CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI #10723606

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2015
Structure

PASSENGER WINDOW ON DRIVERS SIDE. WILL NOT ALWAYS GO UP. IT WILL GO UP IF PULLED UP BY HAND WHILE PUSHING THE CONTROL BUTTON.

NHTSA ODI #10722699

7,057 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THIS IS ABOUT NHTSA RECALL 12V-338, AND TO REPORT HONDA'S FAILURE TO REMEDY A DEFECT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF FIRST CONTACT WITH THE DEALER (HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS, 1720 WEST STREET, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401). WE BROUGHT OUR 2102 HONDA CR-V TO HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS ON MARCH 22, 2013 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR LATCHE…

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THIS IS ABOUT NHTSA RECALL 12V-338, AND TO REPORT HONDA'S FAILURE TO REMEDY A DEFECT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF FIRST CONTACT WITH THE DEALER (HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS, 1720 WEST STREET, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401). WE BROUGHT OUR 2102 HONDA CR-V TO HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS ON MARCH 22, 2013 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR LATCHES AND INNER HANDLES UNDER RECALL 12V-338. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, SO THE PARTS WOULD BE SPECIAL ORDERED AND WE WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY CALL. WE WENT TO HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS ON JUNE 27, 2013 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL PARTS, WHICH WERE THEN IN STOCK, AND THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. WHEN WE ASKED WHY WE HAD NOT BEEN CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL PARTS, NO ONE OFFERED ANY RATIONAL EXPLANATION, MUCH LESS ANY APOLOGY. LATER THAT DAY, WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCK THE CR-V, THE CAR ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHEN EITHER FRONT DOOR WAS OPENED, AND WE HAD TO TURN OFF THE ALARM BY PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WE RETURNED TO HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. THUS, HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS MISSED YOUR 60 DAY REPAIR DEADLINE BY OVER 30 DAYS, AND THEN PERFORMED THE REPLACEMENT IN AN INCOMPETENT MANNER. IF WE HAD NOT GONE IN FOR THE OIL CHANGE, WE BELIEVE WE WOULD NEVER HAVE RECEIVED ANY CALL FROM THIS DEALER ABOUT COMPLETING THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533097

1,475 miles · Jan 17, 2013
StructureCrashInjury

TRAVELING 95 NORTH PULL OVER TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE, DOOR OPEN AND DRIVER FELL OUT. CAR HIT DRIVER. CAR KEPT GOING CROSS THE MEDIAN TO 95 SOUTH LANE IMPACT A HOLE FULL OF WATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493282

3,231 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury

MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING OUR HONDA CRV 2012 HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP. WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER RAN OVER SOME WIRE THAT WAS LEFT ON THE ROAD, THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH OUR HONDA. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ON BOTH CARS. SINCE THE AIRBAGS DI…

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MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING OUR HONDA CRV 2012 HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP. WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER RAN OVER SOME WIRE THAT WAS LEFT ON THE ROAD, THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH OUR HONDA. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ON BOTH CARS. SINCE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SAFETY BELT IN OUR 2012 HONDA CRV DID NOT RESTRAIN MY WIFE FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL, SHE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. I HOPE OTHER OWNERS OF THE HONDA CRV 2012 DO NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SITUATION HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479504

1,662 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Structure

WE TOOK A TRIP FROM GEORGIA TO MISSISSIPPI ON THE WEEKEND OF 28-30 SEPTEMBER. ON THE WAY BACK WE DROVE THROUGH EXTREMELY HEAVY RAIN AT TIMES. ON THE EVENING OF OCT 1ST I RAISED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS WET AND THAT THERE WAS NO WEATHER STRIPPING ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE HOOD (M…

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WE TOOK A TRIP FROM GEORGIA TO MISSISSIPPI ON THE WEEKEND OF 28-30 SEPTEMBER. ON THE WAY BACK WE DROVE THROUGH EXTREMELY HEAVY RAIN AT TIMES. ON THE EVENING OF OCT 1ST I RAISED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS WET AND THAT THERE WAS NO WEATHER STRIPPING ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE HOOD (MY ACCORD AND ODYSSEY HAS IT). THAT ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER CAME IN FROM THE TOP AND NOT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LEAK. THEY LOOKED AT SEVERAL BRAND-NEW CR-VS AND NOTICED THAT THEY TOO DIDN'T HAVE ANY WEATHER STRIPPING ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY RAIN THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP WATER FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE SENSITIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. I NOW HAVE A BRAND-NEW CR-V WITH UNSIGHTLY WATER STAINS ON THE ENGINE, FIREWALL, AND HOOD INSULATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478285

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2012
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

DUE TO RECALL LETTER OF INTERIOR FRONT DOOR LATCH AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH NOT PROPERLY LATCHED, BROUGHT THE CAR TO HONDA OF SERRAMONTE TO HAVE IT FIXED. AFTER RETRIEVING MY CAR, I TESTED THE DOOR LATCH WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR CAN STILL BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476857

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2012
Structure

WHILE DRIVING A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A VERY YELLOW LARGE SPIDER CRAWLING ACROSS MY DASHBOARD. I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD FINDING A NAPKIN TO KILL IT SO IT DIDN'T GET ON ME AS IT WAS MAKING IT'S WAY TO ME VERY QUICKLY FROM THE DASH TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL!!! THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER, ANOTHER SPIDER. (ME THINKING I DIDN'T G…

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WHILE DRIVING A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A VERY YELLOW LARGE SPIDER CRAWLING ACROSS MY DASHBOARD. I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD FINDING A NAPKIN TO KILL IT SO IT DIDN'T GET ON ME AS IT WAS MAKING IT'S WAY TO ME VERY QUICKLY FROM THE DASH TOWARDS THE STEERING WHEEL!!! THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER, ANOTHER SPIDER. (ME THINKING I DIDN'T GET THE FIRST ONE!?) THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER ANOTHER SPIDER AND THIS MORNING WHILE AT THE DUNKIN DONUTS DRIVE-THRU, ANOTHER SPIDER!!!!! ALL OF THESE I HAVE MANAGED TO KILL WHICH ONLY TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE A BUNCH OF SPIDERS IN MY DASHBOARD OR SOMETHING!!! THE ONE TODAY CAME OUT OF THE VENT JUST OVER THE A/C VENT DRIVERS SIDE!??!?! EACH TIME I SEE ONE, IT'S ON THE DASHBOARD INITIALLY AND THEN QUICKLY MOVES AROUND. THIS IS THE LAST THING I NEED AND I WANT THE CAR TORN APART TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM AND HAVE THEM REMOVED IMMEDIATELY! I'M FREAKING OUT! I AM WAITING ON CALL BACKS FROM BOTH HOLLMAN HONDA (THE DEALERSHIP WHICH HAS NEVER HEARD ABOUT ANY SPIDER ISSUES) AS WELL AS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. OF HONDA ITSELF TO OPEN A CASE ABOUT THIS MATTER. BEING THAT THEY ARE POISONOUS (MAZDA HAD A RECALL ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE EVIDENTLY ALTHOUGH HONDA ISN'T ISSUING A RECALL AT THE MOMENT). THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND I PAID CASH FOR IT OTHERWISE, I WOULD TRADE IT IN IF IT WERE A LEASE. I AM TERRIFIED OF SPIDERS AND THESE ARE POISONOUS!!!! HELP!! I CAN'T KEEP DRIVING THIS CAR! SCARED OUT OF MY MIND AND NEEDING A REMEDY FAST! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457778

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