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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2024
Visibility/wiper

2012 to 2014 honda crv's have a "blockage problem" on the driver's side of the heater core and the driver's side of the heater does not put out any heat. this is a safety issue as condensation builds up on driver's side of the windshield and snow/ice can build up on driver's side of the windshield due to no heat. honda has kno…

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2012 to 2014 honda crv's have a "blockage problem" on the driver's side of the heater core and the driver's side of the heater does not put out any heat. this is a safety issue as condensation builds up on driver's side of the windshield and snow/ice can build up on driver's side of the windshield due to no heat. honda has known of this problem (defect in heater driver side heater core) since at least 2014, see their service bulletin 14-063 dated november 20, 2014. our local honda dealer service department doesn't feel the heater flush produces worthwhile results on an ongoing basis and recommends heater core replacement at $1500-$2000. the service department at our local honda dealer was rather evasive about the cause of the driver's side heater core blockage/failure. my internet research leads me to believe the heater core has a defective design that throws off particles that accumulate in heater core and and gradually block driver's side of heater core and then no heat for driver's side including windshield. i'm using incident date of 11/29/23 because honda service department diagnosed heater core problem that date but driver's side had been gradually losing heat output for some month's. i attempted to resolve heater core issue with honda customer service but got nowhere.

NHTSA ODI #11578531

180,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I WENT THROUGH TWO WINDSHIELDS MADE BY HONDA FOR THIS CAR. I GET A CHIP OR CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST MONTHLY. I'VE ALSO OWNED A HONDA ELEMENT AND HONDA CIVIC. EVERY SINGLE WINDSHIELD MADE BY HONDA IS EXACTLY THE SAME. THE CHIPS ARE A DANGER TO VISIBILITY AND TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING AN ACCIDE…

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I WENT THROUGH TWO WINDSHIELDS MADE BY HONDA FOR THIS CAR. I GET A CHIP OR CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST MONTHLY. I'VE ALSO OWNED A HONDA ELEMENT AND HONDA CIVIC. EVERY SINGLE WINDSHIELD MADE BY HONDA IS EXACTLY THE SAME. THE CHIPS ARE A DANGER TO VISIBILITY AND TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING AN ACCIDENT. FOR THE LATEST WINDSHIELD, I WENT TO HENDERSON GLASS AND THEY INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD NOT MADE BY HONDA. I'VE HAD THE NEW WINDSHIELD FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND NOT ONE SINGLE CHIP FOR CRACK. I'M FINDING BLOGS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH HUNDREDS OF HONDA OWNERS ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. SOMEBODY PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT HONDA WINDSHIELDS. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA WHEN I OWNED THE HONDA ELEMENT. I HAD SENT IN RECEIPTS FOR 3 WINDSHIELDS AND MULTIPLE CHIP REPAIRS ON ALL OF THEM AND WAS AWARDED OVER $1000 FROM THAT. BUT, HONDA NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELDS. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AFTER THAT THE CHIPS PERSISTED EVERY SINGLE MONTH. THE CHIPS HAPPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, ON REGULAR ROADS, DIRT ROADS AND AND ANYWHERE AND ANY TIME THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I'M BEGGING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING, PLEASE!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11297795

62,400 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Visibility/wiper

REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOLLOWING USE OF ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES F, ACTIVE FREEZING DRIZZLE. STARTED THE ENGINE AND WITHOUT DELAY BEGAN DRIVING AND THEN TURNED ON REAR WINDOW ELECTRIC HEAT SWITCH TO IMPROVE REAR VISIBILITY, WHICH WORKED. I LEFT THE SWITCH ON UNTIL WE REACHED OUR …

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REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOLLOWING USE OF ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES F, ACTIVE FREEZING DRIZZLE. STARTED THE ENGINE AND WITHOUT DELAY BEGAN DRIVING AND THEN TURNED ON REAR WINDOW ELECTRIC HEAT SWITCH TO IMPROVE REAR VISIBILITY, WHICH WORKED. I LEFT THE SWITCH ON UNTIL WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION ABOUT 8 TO 10 MINUTES LATER, PARKED THE CAR INSIDE A GARAGE, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, EXITED, ALL VEHICLE WINDOWS SEEMED INTACT WHEN WE DEPARTED THE CAR. WE DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR EXPERIENCE ANY IMPACT. WE WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE, THEN BY REMOTE CONTROL CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR. NEXT MORNING I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW, BROKEN GLASS THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR REAR OF THE CRV, ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE AROUND THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND WHEN I OPENED THE OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR, DISCOVERED BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER THE GROUND AS MUCH AS SIX FEET OUTSIDE THE GARAGE DOOR, AS THOUGH THE FORCEFUL WINDOW BREAKAGE HAD OCCURRED IN THE FEW MINUTES AFTER WE LEFT THE CAR AND BEFORE THE GARAGE DOOR HAD CLOSED. HONDA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY DO NOT WORK ON WINDOW GLASS. THE COMMERCIAL WINDOW GLASS TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE WINDOW STATED THAT THIS WINDOW HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #11186954

114,000 miles · Feb 3, 2019
Visibility/wiper

THE DRIVER SIDE DEFROSTER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO HAVE PROPER VISIBILITY DURING WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN THE WEATHER SUDDENLY CHANGES WHILE DRIVING AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTS TO FROST OVER. THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER PERFORMED TSB …

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THE DRIVER SIDE DEFROSTER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO HAVE PROPER VISIBILITY DURING WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN THE WEATHER SUDDENLY CHANGES WHILE DRIVING AND THE WINDSHIELD STARTS TO FROST OVER. THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER PERFORMED TSB 14-063 WHICH FLUSHED THE HEATER CORE WITH CLR AND FRESH WATER. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BLOWING EXTREMELY HOT AIR, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE IS COOL. THIS TSB WAS ISSUED IN NOVEMBER OF 2014 FOR A 2012 VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY A HEATER CORE SHOULD NOT BE CLOGGED WITH CONTAMINANTS AFTER 2 YEARS WHILE RUNNING APPROVED HONDA ANTIFREEZE IN THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM. THE TSB ALSO EXPLAINS TO THE TECHNICIAN HOW TO CHECK FOR PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE MIXTURE DOOR FOR FRESH AIR. HONDA SAYS THAT THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO PAY FOR A HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT WITH A COST OF OVER $1200. IF THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM WELL-KNOWN ISSUE BY HONDA THEY SHOULD PAY TO FIX THE ISSUE SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURERING ISSUE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH GREATLY AFFECTS VISIBILITY IN WINTER, WHICH CAN ALSO MAKE THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE IF THE WINDSHIELD CANNOT BE DEFROSTED. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR HOURS, THE DRIVER SIDE STILL BLOWS COOLER AIR UNLIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11173772

42,000 miles · Feb 3, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE DEFROSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EMITS AIR THAT IS MUCH COOLER (SOMETIMES COLD) THAN THE AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ABILITY TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR IS GREATLY HAMPERED DURING CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS. HONDA TSB 14-063 ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE AND PLACES AN UNNECESSARY COST ON THE CON…

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THE DEFROSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EMITS AIR THAT IS MUCH COOLER (SOMETIMES COLD) THAN THE AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ABILITY TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR IS GREATLY HAMPERED DURING CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS. HONDA TSB 14-063 ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE AND PLACES AN UNNECESSARY COST ON THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #11066761

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2017
Visibility/wiper

NO HEAT ON DRIVER SIDE VENTS. WILL NOT DEFROST DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR MY WIFE. HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED QUOTED $1,450 FOR REPAIR OF HEATER CORE ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 80,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO HELP IN THE MATTER AND R…

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NO HEAT ON DRIVER SIDE VENTS. WILL NOT DEFROST DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR MY WIFE. HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED QUOTED $1,450 FOR REPAIR OF HEATER CORE ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 80,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO HELP IN THE MATTER AND REFERRED ME TO CORPORATE. IF NO HELP FROM CORPORATE, THIS WILL BE THE LAST HONDA MY FAMILY WILL BUY. WE ARE, OR WERE A COMPLETE HONDA FAMILY AS EVERY MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY, (6) ALL DRIVE HONDA'S. HAS THEIR QUALITY OF VEHICLES DECLINED THIS MUCH. ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED!

NHTSA ODI #11055080

40,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE CAR IS A 2012 HONDA CR-V LX AWD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE, HONDA TSB 14-063, LOW DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT. THE LOW DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT MAKES DRIVING IN THE SNOW DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEAT TO ADEQUATELY DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSH…

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THE CAR IS A 2012 HONDA CR-V LX AWD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE, HONDA TSB 14-063, LOW DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT. THE LOW DRIVER'S SIDE HEAT MAKES DRIVING IN THE SNOW DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HEAT TO ADEQUATELY DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL ALSO START TO ICE UP THE PASSENGER SIDE IS FINE. I MEASURED A 40 - 50 DEGREE F TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE VENTS USING A THERMOCOUPLE DISPLAY DEVICE. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY AND ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11052273

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

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

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

NHTSA ODI #10949703

61,000 miles · Jan 5, 2017
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

TSB 14-063 FAILURE OR PLUGGING OF THE HEATER CORE. NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER SIDE VENTS TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD. IT IS 5 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND THERE IS LITTLE/NO HEAT COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE VENTS, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS WARM. CONTINUALLY HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #10939805

55,000 miles · Aug 27, 2016
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED ARE VERY INADEQUATE. WHEN SET TO THE FASTEST SPEED THE WIPERS DON'T WORK WELL. THE WIPERS TEND TO MOVE FASTER THE FASTER YOU ARE DRIVING. SITTING STILL WIPERS DON'T MOVE. WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD AND FAST THE WIPERS DO SUCH A POOR JOB IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE.

NHTSA ODI #10899052

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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