NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
26 reportsClear category filter18,223 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WE PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA CRV AND WOUND UP RETURNING THE VEHICLE THAT DAY WITH ONLY 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND WAS BEHIND US IN OUR OTHER CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL BASICALLY LOST POWER. IT FELT AS IF THE RESISTANCE BEHIND THE PEDAL JUST DISAPPEARED (ACCEL…
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WE PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA CRV AND WOUND UP RETURNING THE VEHICLE THAT DAY WITH ONLY 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND WAS BEHIND US IN OUR OTHER CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL BASICALLY LOST POWER. IT FELT AS IF THE RESISTANCE BEHIND THE PEDAL JUST DISAPPEARED (ACCELERATOR HESITANCY ALSO HAPPENED AT A LEFT TURN GOING 5 MPH). AT THAT MOMENT THE CAR LOST POWER...SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, THE PEDAL RESUMED ITS NORMAL FEEL AND POWER RESUMED...IT DID THIS 3 TIMES. RIGHT AT THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS, I HEARD A TRIPLE CLICK (SOUNDED LIKE THE CLICKS YOU GET WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT TURN ON AFTER BATTERY DRAIN). SO, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, LOSS OF POWER, POWER, LOSS OF POWER, POWER, LOSS OF POWER, POWER. I IMMEDIATELY GOT INTO THE RIGHT LANE THINKING THE CAR WAS GOING TO DIE ON ME AND EXPECTING TO HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. MY HUSBAND WATCHED THE WHOLE THING IN OUR TRUCK SO HE HAD A GOOD VIEW. HE SAW 3 EXPULSIONS OF BLUISH EXHAUST COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND SAW THE CAR SLOW DOWN AT EACH OF THE POWER LOSS EVENTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS HAPPENING NO ONLY TO THIS CAR, BUT THE FORESTER AND RAV4 AND OTHERS. SERVICE WAS SO RELIANT ON THEIR COMPUTER READ OUT, WHICH SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, THAT WE DID NOT HAVE FAITH THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM AND FIND A SOLUTION. SO WE CANCELLED THE SALE. IT IS ASHAME THAT THE NHTS HAS ONLY REQUIRED MAT CHANGES AS RECALLS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ERROR IN WHICH THE CAR COMPUTER (WHICH NOW CONTROLS THE GAS PEDAL RATHER THAN AN ACTUAL LINE GOING TO IT) IS TELLING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. AND THE FACT THAT THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECORD A PROBLEM LIKELY IS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND OUR OWN GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG IS MAKING OUR ROADS LESS SAFE. THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT. CAR MATS, REALLY PEOPLE?
NHTSA ODI #10763731
300 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN THE CAR IS ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING UPHILL THE CAR ROLLS BACK BY AT LEAST 10 MILES AND PICK UP AGAIN AND STALLS AGAIN. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOR MAL FOR THE CAR TO STALL. I NEVER ACCEPTED THAT EXPLANATION, THE CAR NEEDS TOP BE RECALLED A…
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AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN THE CAR IS ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING UPHILL THE CAR ROLLS BACK BY AT LEAST 10 MILES AND PICK UP AGAIN AND STALLS AGAIN. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOR MAL FOR THE CAR TO STALL. I NEVER ACCEPTED THAT EXPLANATION, THE CAR NEEDS TOP BE RECALLED ALONG WITH THE OTHER CARS. THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
NHTSA ODI #10762379
600 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
I NOTICED THAT HONDA CRV ARE BEING RECALLED. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT WAS STALLING WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER HE SAYS THAT WAS NORMAL, STALLING WAS OK. THE OTHER PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT DOES NOT TELL YOU WHEN IT IS ON, IT IS ALWAYS OFF A…
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I NOTICED THAT HONDA CRV ARE BEING RECALLED. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT WAS STALLING WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER HE SAYS THAT WAS NORMAL, STALLING WAS OK. THE OTHER PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT DOES NOT TELL YOU WHEN IT IS ON, IT IS ALWAYS OFF AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS ON.
NHTSA ODI #10744509
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10670905
6,500 miles · Jan 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
AT A 10 MPH COAST I START TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY AND THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE, THE RPM DOES NOT CHANGE WITH MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE TO ROCK THE PEDAL TWO TO THREE TIMES TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE WITH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM THAT THE DEA…
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AT A 10 MPH COAST I START TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY AND THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE, THE RPM DOES NOT CHANGE WITH MOVEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I HAVE TO ROCK THE PEDAL TWO TO THREE TIMES TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE WITH THE TRAFFIC. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT AND CORRECT I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING HIT FROM THE REAR TWICE. THE HONDA DEALER'S EXPLANATION IS THE TRANSMISSION IS WAITING FOR THE COMPUTER TO TELL IT TO " UP OR DOWNSHIFT. " IF THAT WERE THE CASE, THE RPM WOULD CHANGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED . . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669842
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
95,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH A GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH A GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10638796
200 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING. HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS IN 10 MONTHS! TAKEN IT IN TO HONDA, AND THEY BLAME THE CONSUMER'S IMPROPER INSTALLATION AS A CAUSE. WE HAD AUTO ZONE HELP US INSTALL THEM EACH TIME. BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE DAY 1 THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY DIM AND COME BACK UP. HONDA BLAMES THE CARS "SMALL BATTERY" AS TH…
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THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING. HAVE BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS IN 10 MONTHS! TAKEN IT IN TO HONDA, AND THEY BLAME THE CONSUMER'S IMPROPER INSTALLATION AS A CAUSE. WE HAD AUTO ZONE HELP US INSTALL THEM EACH TIME. BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE DAY 1 THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY DIM AND COME BACK UP. HONDA BLAMES THE CARS "SMALL BATTERY" AS THE REASONING BEHIND IT. THEN IF IT'S THEIR "BATTERY" THAT'S CAUSING IT THEN MAKE THE SPACE BIGGER! ALSO, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAVE NOTICED THE CAR LAGS WHEN HITTING THE ACCELERATOR. HAS ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLE COLLISIONS. YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR EXPECTING THE CAR TO MOVE, BUT IT DELAYS. WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO MAKE A QUICK TURN. HONDA SAYS "IT'S NORMAL, ALL CARS DO IT". THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLS ISSUED FOR THESE! THESE THINGS ARE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES! I'VE REVIEWED MULTIPLE PEOPLE STATING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR HONDA'S, AND YET HONDA REFUSES TO HELP THEIR CONSUMERS AND STILL CONTINUES TO PRODUCE FAULTY AND DANGEROUS CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638428
1,420 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN COASTING AT 10 TO 12 MPH, I PRESS LIGHTLY ON ACCELERATOR TO MOVE FORWARD, THERE IS NO REACTION. THE RPM DOES NOT CHANGE, THE CAR CONTINUES AT THE SAME SPEED. I MUST ROCK THE ACCELERATOR HARD TO GET THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD IF I GIVE IT TOO MUCH GAS. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME INCIDENT. IT STARTE…
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WHEN COASTING AT 10 TO 12 MPH, I PRESS LIGHTLY ON ACCELERATOR TO MOVE FORWARD, THERE IS NO REACTION. THE RPM DOES NOT CHANGE, THE CAR CONTINUES AT THE SAME SPEED. I MUST ROCK THE ACCELERATOR HARD TO GET THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD IF I GIVE IT TOO MUCH GAS. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME INCIDENT. IT STARTED AT ABOUT1,400 MILES AND IS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AT 7,000 MILES. HONDA'S EXPLANATION IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS AT A POINT OF WAITING FOR THE COMPUTER TO EITHER DOWN OR UP SHIFT. YET THERE IS NO RPM CHANGE. THIS PROBLEM COULD CREATE AN ACCIDENT. . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633851
2,500 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM TONY HONDA BRAND NEW, FROM THE TIME I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD STALL. IF I WAS DRIVING FOR EXAMPLE AT 60 MPH ONCE I GET TO A HILL, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD STALL, GO 50 AND PICK UP AGAIN. STALLING IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGH TRAFFIC AND HIGH SPEED. I POINTED OUT TO THE DEALER…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM TONY HONDA BRAND NEW, FROM THE TIME I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD STALL. IF I WAS DRIVING FOR EXAMPLE AT 60 MPH ONCE I GET TO A HILL, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD STALL, GO 50 AND PICK UP AGAIN. STALLING IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGH TRAFFIC AND HIGH SPEED. I POINTED OUT TO THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, HE STATED THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO; IT WAS NORMAL FOR HONDA CRV-EX TO STALL. I DISAGREED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632638
Official recalls
2Dec 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.
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
2EA21002 · 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.