VTC ACTUATOR IS FAILING CAUSING A GRINDING SOUND WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. HONDA HAS RECOGNIZED AND ADMITTED TO A DEFECTIVE PART. CONTINUED TO SELL CARS KNOWING THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. 2014-2015 HONDAS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA REPORTS IT IS NOT DOING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OR ANY COMPONENTS. THEY ARE OFFERING NO ASSISTAN…
Read full complaint
VTC ACTUATOR IS FAILING CAUSING A GRINDING SOUND WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. HONDA HAS RECOGNIZED AND ADMITTED TO A DEFECTIVE PART. CONTINUED TO SELL CARS KNOWING THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. 2014-2015 HONDAS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA REPORTS IT IS NOT DOING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OR ANY COMPONENTS. THEY ARE OFFERING NO ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #10795318
18,500 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500....UPDATED 02/03/16 *BF GRINDING NOISE DURING COLD START UP UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
NHTSA ODI #10783481
15,121 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Engine
ENGINE GRINDING NOISE WHEN CROSSING UP AND DOWN STRUCTURES LIKE BRIDGES. ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY WHILE TAKING EXITS. AT A TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO DIE. THIS GRINDING NOISE IS DISTURBING MY CONFIDENCE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY.
NHTSA ODI #10778505
800 miles · Sep 2, 2015
EngineService Brakes
WHEN I TURN ON ENGINE FOR THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT ANY 1-2 HOUR GAP, I HEAR A CRANKY ENGINE SOUND AFTER THE IGNITION. I FOUND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN 2013 MODEL. MY CLOSE FRIEND RETURNED HIS HONDA CRV AFTER A YEAR AS IT SOUNDED LOUD IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS OF MONTANA. IN MY CASE IT WAS NOT SOUNDING EVERYTIME TIL…
Read full complaint
WHEN I TURN ON ENGINE FOR THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT ANY 1-2 HOUR GAP, I HEAR A CRANKY ENGINE SOUND AFTER THE IGNITION. I FOUND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN 2013 MODEL. MY CLOSE FRIEND RETURNED HIS HONDA CRV AFTER A YEAR AS IT SOUNDED LOUD IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS OF MONTANA. IN MY CASE IT WAS NOT SOUNDING EVERYTIME TILL NOW. I NOTIFIED THAT TO MY CAR DEALER WHEN I TOOK THIS VEHICLE FROM BOB ROHRMAN. THESE DAYS IT HAS BECOME A DAILY ROUTINE, THAT SOUND IS HAPPENING EACH TIME YOU IGNITE ENGINE AFTER A GAP OF SAY 1-2 HOURS. MY BRAKES WERE ALWAYS NOISY SINCE DAY ONE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ALSO NOTIFIED TO THE DEALER HOWEVER I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO WET CONDITIONS. HOWEVER IT IS A REGULAR THING. MY CAR IS JUST 7880 MILES AND WELL KEPT, WHY IS THE BRAKE SO NOISY INCLUDING ANOTHER PROBLEM OCCURRING IN ENGINE NOW. PLEASE PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OR I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REQUEST FOR REFUND.
NHTSA ODI #10761142
45,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Engine
I NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE DURING COLD STARTS FROM THE ENGINE THAT CONTINUED WELL INTO THE SUMMER. I REPORTED IT TO MY HONDA DEALER (BILL PAGE/FALLS CHURCH, VA) AND REFERRED TO THE WELL DOCUMENTED VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BASED ON VIDEO AND AUDIO SIMILARITIES IN THE NOISES I WAS HEARING. THE DEALER BEING …
Read full complaint
I NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE DURING COLD STARTS FROM THE ENGINE THAT CONTINUED WELL INTO THE SUMMER. I REPORTED IT TO MY HONDA DEALER (BILL PAGE/FALLS CHURCH, VA) AND REFERRED TO THE WELL DOCUMENTED VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BASED ON VIDEO AND AUDIO SIMILARITIES IN THE NOISES I WAS HEARING. THE DEALER BEING AWARE OF THE PROBLEM REFRAINED FROM ANY INVESTIGATION OR CORRECTION UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A CORRECTIVE SOLUTION FROM HONDA. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO HONDA AMERICA AND THE DEALER LATER IN 2015 AFTER MY HONDA DEALER TECHNICIAN REPTD NO SOLUTION HAS COME FROM HONDA. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HONDA REGARDING MY COMPLAINT SUGGESTING THE VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM IS LIMITED TO ALASKA AND I SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. AS A RESULT TO A SWITCH TO SYNTHETIC OIL AT THE DEALER THE NOISE SEEMS TO HAVE GONE. UNFORTUNATELY THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAS NOT DAMAGED THE ENGINE OR WON'T REAPPEAR IF I DECIDE TO RETURN TO CONVENTIONAL OIL. THE OFFICIAL POSITION BY HONDA VS. THE DEALER SEEMS TO PROMOTE A STAND-OFF TO COMPENSATE FOR A LACK OF A FULLY RELIABLE SOLUTION IN THAT THE DEALER IS TOLD NOT TO INITIATE REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM UNTIL A SOLUTION IS DISTRIBUTED BY HONDA WHILE HONDA CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNIVERSAL AND IS TRYING TO MINIMIZE ITS SCOPE; LEAVING CONSUMERS IN THE MIDDLE TRYING TO MAKE THEIR CRVS OR OTHER MODEL HONDAS RELIABLE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL CONTINUE PURSUIT OF A FIX WITH HONDA AMERICA BUT FEEL NHTSA SHOULD PRESSURE HONDA TO ADDRESS THIS WELL KNOWN AND PUBLICIZED FAULT WITH SOME SORT OF PERMANENT FIX. FOR A MANUFACTURER WHO CLAIMS THEIR VEHICLES ARE HIGHLY RELIABLE HONDA APPARENT DECEPTION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND I HOPE NHTSA FORCES THIS ACTION TO OCCUR. I ALSO PROVIDED NHTSA WITH A COPY OF MY 7/25/15 LETTER TO AMERICAN HONDA.
NHTSA ODI #10748315
15,000 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Engine
WHEN I START THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING (COLD), IT MAKES A WHIRRING/GRATING SOUND THAT LASTS JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS. IT DOESN'T MAKE THIS SOUND AGAIN ALL DAY, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR 8+ HOURS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10732326
18,000 miles · Apr 14, 2015
Engine
AS I REPORTED LAST YEAR, THERE IS A VTC ACTUATOR DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE TEMPS FALL BELOW FREEZING AND IN SOME CASES EVEN ABOVE FREEZING MAINLY DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE AND THE ACTUATOR NOT LOCKING CORRECTLY. WELL, ANOTHER WINTER HAS COME AND GONE AND THERE IS STILL NO HINT OF A FIX FROM HONDA. THEY…
Read full complaint
AS I REPORTED LAST YEAR, THERE IS A VTC ACTUATOR DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE TEMPS FALL BELOW FREEZING AND IN SOME CASES EVEN ABOVE FREEZING MAINLY DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE AND THE ACTUATOR NOT LOCKING CORRECTLY. WELL, ANOTHER WINTER HAS COME AND GONE AND THERE IS STILL NO HINT OF A FIX FROM HONDA. THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO DAMAGE OCCURRING BUT ANY TIME I HEAR METAL ON METAL I BEG TO DIFFER. UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS POINT I AM LOOKING AT OPTIONS SUCH AS TRADING THE VEHICLE IN AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF SERIOUS DAMAGE IS BEING DONE EACH WINTER WITH METAL ON METAL GRINDING. HONDA SURE HAS LOST THEIR PRESTIGIOUS CLAIM OF RELIABILITY IN MY EYES. SADLY THIS WILL BE MY LAST HONDA PRODUCT AS THEY DON'T SEEM TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS IN ANY KIND OF TIMELY MANNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705578
14,000 miles · Feb 5, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE IN COLDER WEATHER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING METAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED UPON INITIAL START-UP IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE IN COLDER WEATHER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING METAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED UPON INITIAL START-UP IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTC ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10681425
25,000 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Engine
GRINDING SOUND UPON START. PROBABLY THE VTC ACTUATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678464
32,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I HAD LEFT MY OFFICE ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO PULLING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH IN THE PARKING LOT, LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE. I SAW ONE AND SLOWED DOWN EVEN MORE TO BARELY MOVING, AND WAS EASING INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. JUST AS THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS GETTING READY …
Read full complaint
I HAD LEFT MY OFFICE ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO PULLING INTO A SHOPPING CENTER AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH IN THE PARKING LOT, LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE. I SAW ONE AND SLOWED DOWN EVEN MORE TO BARELY MOVING, AND WAS EASING INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE. JUST AS THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS GETTING READY TO PUT IT INTO PARK, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE ABOUT 5 FEET IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE AT FULL FORCE. IT WAS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS TOTALLY STUNNED. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED IN AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I WAS NOT TALKING ON THE PHONE; I WAS NOT DRINKING OR EATING ANYTHING IN THE CAR; I DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE RADIO TURNED ON. I WAS NOT IN AN EMOTIONAL STATE; I AM NOT PSYCHOTIC, HOMICIDAL ,OR SUICIDAL. I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS I HAD JUST MADE A SLOW LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WAS BARELY MOVING, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE GONE ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH ANYTHING LIKE THIS OCCURRING WITH OTHER HONDA CRV'S, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS INCIDENCES CITED INVOLVING THE 2011 AND 2013 MODELS. IT HAPPENS IN VERY COLD WEATHER (FREEZING OR BELOW) , WHILE THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED. IT WAS IN THE LOW 30'S AT THE TIME AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. LUCKILY, THE TREE STOPPED MY FORWARD MOTION, OR I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP DRIVING THRU THE PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF THE UPS STORE. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY - SOME HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, OTHER CARS INVOLVED, OTHER PEOPLE INJURED. I AM ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
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.
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
2
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.