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2013 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 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

259 reports with mileage · 123 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 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

97 reports
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7,889 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Engine

DURING WINTER MONTHS AT FREEZING AND BELOW PART # 110153 VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL, VTC ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS. AT THE FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE (METAL UPON METAL). THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE ORIGINATING DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY IN CRV-S WHEN THE TEMPERATURE FALLS…

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DURING WINTER MONTHS AT FREEZING AND BELOW PART # 110153 VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL, VTC ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONS. AT THE FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE (METAL UPON METAL). THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE ORIGINATING DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY IN CRV-S WHEN THE TEMPERATURE FALLS AT OR FREEZING THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THE ENGINE WON'T FREEZE UP NOR WILL THERE BE ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER TRAIN? THE PART IN QUESTION IS UNABLE (AT LOW TEMPERATURES) TO PUSH OIL UP INTO THE ENGINE UPON INITIAL COLD START-UP IN THE MORNINGS . THIS WAS HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALER. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS AT THE STORE WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART ON 11 NOVEMBER, 2014 (AND WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS IT FAILED) I WAS NEVER ALLOWED TO DO SO. I LIVED WITH THIS ALL OF LAST WINTER AND NOW THIS WINTER AS WELL OR SO IT APPEARS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE ON SEVERAL 2013 HONDA CR-V'S SOLD IN STATES WHERE THE CLIMATE IS FREEZING OR BELOW. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT A FIX WAS IN THE WORKS BY HONDA. WELL A FIX HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS NOW SINCE AT LEAST FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR 2014 AND NOTHING HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO CALL HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THE DEALER WIPED THEIR HANDS OF THE SITUATION. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE ( AND POSSIBLY CAUSE IT TO FREEZE UP WHILE ON THE ROAD) POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD/ACCIDENT. LAST, (AND LEAST OF ALL) WHEN I WANT TO SELL AND/OR TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE IT'S VALUE WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT THAT I AM (BY LAW) REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE. FUNNY HOW THE DEALER KNEW THIS WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR BUT NEVER DISCLOSED THE DEFECT TO ME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658894

31,003 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

ON 9/23/14 30000 MILE CHECK UP PERFORMED AT DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. ON 10/14/14 IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC I ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR ON INTERSTATE 4; VEHICLE HICCUPED AND LOST POWER; ABLE TO GO TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC; TURNED VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN; VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION. D…

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ON 9/23/14 30000 MILE CHECK UP PERFORMED AT DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. ON 10/14/14 IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC I ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR ON INTERSTATE 4; VEHICLE HICCUPED AND LOST POWER; ABLE TO GO TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC; TURNED VEHICLE OFF THEN ON AGAIN; VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION. DROVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT; THEY CHECKED IT OUT; SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG; HOWEVER, THEY RAN A COMPUTER UPDATE FOR THE ALTERNATING SYSTEM STATING THAT THEY "THINK" PROBLEM IS SOLVED. CONTACTED HONDA REGIONAL; THEY AUTHORIZED AN INSPECTION AT A DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 11/12/14. I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NO REASON THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER; AT THAT POINT, HONDA REGIONAL TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS ANSWER. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658528

2,571 miles · Nov 5, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEGALLY TURN RIGHT INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE BUT SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND, LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FOR A APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 SECONDS, WHILE OTHER VEHICLES WERE APPROACHING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY RESPONDED AND I WAS ABLE…

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEGALLY TURN RIGHT INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE BUT SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND, LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FOR A APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 SECONDS, WHILE OTHER VEHICLES WERE APPROACHING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY RESPONDED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. THIS EVENT HAS OCCASIONALLY OCCURRED SINCE THEN. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPRESENTATIVE, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE SINCE NO WARNING LIGHT OR INDICATOR HAS REVEALED ANY FAILURE CODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652643

21,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

BRAN NEW HONDA CRV PURCHASE MAYBE 13MILES21K MILES LATER AND AFTER A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE,THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGHER THAN NORMAL(I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN THE VEHICLE, FROM BRAN NEW TILL 21K MILES) THEN WE STARTED LOOSING POWER ON THE TAKEOFF.1 DAY LATER AFTER REACHING 25MPH THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH WE LOST ALL POWER AND TH…

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BRAN NEW HONDA CRV PURCHASE MAYBE 13MILES21K MILES LATER AND AFTER A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE,THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGHER THAN NORMAL(I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN THE VEHICLE, FROM BRAN NEW TILL 21K MILES) THEN WE STARTED LOOSING POWER ON THE TAKEOFF.1 DAY LATER AFTER REACHING 25MPH THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH WE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF AS QUICK.CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL THEY SAID(IS THE LIGHT STILL ON, WE NEED A LIGHT TO PULL A CODE TO DIAGNOSE IT)TOOK IT IN THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY FOR A LOOKTHEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING DUE TO NO LIGHT AND NO MALFUNCTION AT THAT TIME.DAYS LATER THE WIFE TAKING THE DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL PROCEEDED TO MERGE ONTO INTERSTATE DRIVING ABOUT 55MPH.NOT EVEN A MILE ONTO THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN LIKE LOSS OF POWER AND SHUT OFF, IN THE MIDDLE OF 2LANE 70MPHA DIESELS SWERVED JUST IN TIME TO MISS SMASHING THE CRV FROM BEHINDWIFE WAS SO SCARED AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SHAKINGTHE WIFE LET IT ROLL OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO THE SHOULDER AS MUCH AS THE VEHICLE WOULD ALLOW POSSIBLE.TOWED THE VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP WITH LIGHT ONTHEY PULLED A CODE THAT TOLD THEM (3RD CYLINDER MISFIRE) THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE SPARKPLUG FOR THE 3RD CYLINDER AND WE PICKED IT UPA FEW WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME EXACT THING TO AT ONLY FEET FURTHER THAN LAST TIME TRAFFIC NEARLY PILING UP AND COLLIDING WITH ONE ANOTHER TO MISS THE CRV. WIFE AND DAUGHTER SCARED OUT OF THEIR MINDS AND SHAKING UP BAD.TOWED IT INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY PULLED THE EXACT CODE THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE 3RD COIL AND FLASHED THE COMPUTER AND CALLED HONDA TO ASK IF THE RESULTS NEEDED ANY FURTHER FIX. THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME HONDA SAID" IT IS WITHIN THE RUNNING LIMITS" AND WE PICKED UP THE CRVTILL THIS DAY THE NEW21K MILE HONDA CRV CONTINUES TO SHUTTER,LOSE AC FAN POWER AND DIVE POWER WITH NO CODE TO DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618243

1,420 miles · Jul 25, 2014
EnginePower Train

COASTING AT 10 MPH AND NO PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR, WHEN I GIVE THE CAR MODERATE GAS THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND UNLESS I ROCK THE ACCELERATOR OR ACCELERATE HARD. I NOW HAVE 6526 MILES ON THE CAR AND A SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE PRONOUNCED. THE HONDA DEALERS STATEMENT IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS WAITING…

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COASTING AT 10 MPH AND NO PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR, WHEN I GIVE THE CAR MODERATE GAS THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND UNLESS I ROCK THE ACCELERATOR OR ACCELERATE HARD. I NOW HAVE 6526 MILES ON THE CAR AND A SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE PRONOUNCED. THE HONDA DEALERS STATEMENT IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS WAITING FOR THE COMPUTER TO TELL IT TO DOWNSHIFT OR STAY IN PRESENT GEAR AND ACCELERATE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT SHOW UP AS A CODE. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR NEW OR LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS AND CONCEIVABLY CAUSE A DRIVER TO BE REAR ENDER OR HIT A CAR FROM BEHIND... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616232

19,000 miles · May 9, 2014
EngineUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000. KMJ

NHTSA ODI #10587444

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. AT TIMES, THERE WOULD BE NO RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE, AS IF, IT CUT OFF AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD. UPDATED 08/19/14

NHTSA ODI #10575418

4,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE HEARD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE HEARD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED WITHIN A WEEK OF THE REPAIR AND THE SAME EXACT PART WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE AGAIN BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STILL HEARD THE GRINDING NOISE WITH NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4000.

NHTSA ODI #10574783

7,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Engine

ON COLD DAYS AT FIRST START UP THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ACCORDS AND CR-V SINCE 2008. HONDA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN SAYING IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO PERMANENT FIX OR RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PART(S). GRINDING NOISE CAN BE SPORADIC SO ONLY IF DEALER CAN REPLICATE ISSUE WILL THEY REPL…

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ON COLD DAYS AT FIRST START UP THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ACCORDS AND CR-V SINCE 2008. HONDA HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN SAYING IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO PERMANENT FIX OR RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PART(S). GRINDING NOISE CAN BE SPORADIC SO ONLY IF DEALER CAN REPLICATE ISSUE WILL THEY REPLACE THE ACTUATOR AND EVEN THEN GRINDING NOISE CAN RETURN WEEKS OR MONTHS LATER WHEN IT GETS COLD AGAIN (I,E, EVERY WINTER). FOR A PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED FOR SO MANY YEARS, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PERMANENT FIX BY NOW. ESPECIALLY FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. IN MY CASE I'VE HAD THE GRINDING NOISE SINCE DECEMBER '13 ALTHOUGH SPORADIC AS MENTIONED DEPENDING ON OUTSIDE TEMP AND HOW LONG THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BE STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569229

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2014
EngineTires

2013 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TPMS SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD APPROXIMATELY, 4 1/2 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TPMS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ON JANUARY 18, 2014 THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR TPMS SENSORS, BUT THAT EVENING THE…

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2013 HONDA CR-V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TPMS SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD APPROXIMATELY, 4 1/2 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TPMS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ON JANUARY 18, 2014 THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR TPMS SENSORS, BUT THAT EVENING THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON SINCE THAT TIME. ALSO, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE, THAT OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER START-UP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10563049

Official recalls

2

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

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.

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.

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.

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