NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
77 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 31, 2021
Electrical System
RE: 2014 HONDA CR-V ~ POWER TAILGATE OPENER SWITCH ASSEMBLY, HONDA PART NO. 74810-T0A-A02; HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN16-063 ISSUE: POWER TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE PURCHASED A 2014 HONDA CRV USED FROM A LOCAL HONDA DEALER IN 2020. NOT LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE, WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS…
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RE: 2014 HONDA CR-V ~ POWER TAILGATE OPENER SWITCH ASSEMBLY, HONDA PART NO. 74810-T0A-A02; HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN16-063 ISSUE: POWER TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE PURCHASED A 2014 HONDA CRV USED FROM A LOCAL HONDA DEALER IN 2020. NOT LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE, WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS OPENING THE TAILGATE WHICH IS DESIGNED TO OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. FREQUENTLY, THE BUTTON UNDER THE TAILGATE LIFT DOES NOT ACTIVATE AND THE TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER IF THE WEATHER IS COLD OR NOT. WE ARE PRESENTLY UNABLE TO CONVENIENTLY ACCESS 32.9 CUBIC FEET OF SPACE BEHIND THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS DUE TO THE FAULTY TAILGATE OPENER. THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS MUST FIRST BE LOWERED BEFORE GROCERIES, PETS, ETC. CAN BE PLACED INTO THAT REAR CARGO AREA. THIS PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. IF WE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS AUTO ACCIDENT, FIRST RESPONDERS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE TAILGATE TO ACCESS THE REAR CARGO AREA IF IT WERE NECESSARY TO EXTRACT OCCUPANTS. WE RESEARCHED THIS TAILGATE OPENER PROBLEM ONLINE AND LEARNED THAT MANY HONDA CRV OWNERS HAVE POSTED ONLINE COMMENTS REFLECTING THEY HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PROBLEM. SOME CLAIMED THEY HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED EITHER UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT, AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WERE AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF POSTINGS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS BIGGER THAN OUR 2014 HONDA CRV. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE OEM EQUIPMENT SWITCH ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BY HONDA IS FAULTY. WE FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD OFFER A VOLUNTARY RECALL TO ALL HONDA CRV OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS FAULTY SWITCH ASSEMBLY. WE PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH THE NHTSA AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11390868
48,000 miles · Jan 4, 2021
Electrical System
A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS USED VEHICLE IN 2018, MY FIRST HONDA, I STARTED HAVING BATTERY ISSUES. I WOULD DRIVE THE CAR TO WORK, AND WHEN LEAVING, 9ISH HOURS LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP START AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN ONE MONTH. I THOUGHT BECAUSE IT WAS A SUCH A COLD WINTER, THIS MAY BE AFFECTING THE VE…
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A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS USED VEHICLE IN 2018, MY FIRST HONDA, I STARTED HAVING BATTERY ISSUES. I WOULD DRIVE THE CAR TO WORK, AND WHEN LEAVING, 9ISH HOURS LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO CALL FOR A JUMP START AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN ONE MONTH. I THOUGHT BECAUSE IT WAS A SUCH A COLD WINTER, THIS MAY BE AFFECTING THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SO I BOUGHT A PORTABLE JUMP STARTER, WHICH I HAD TO USE A FEW OTHER TIMES. WINTER PASSED AND I JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, I BEGAN TO HAVE THE ISSUE WHEN I'D DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SHORT DISTANCES TOO, EVEN IN SPRING/SUMMERTIME. I NOW ALWAYS HAVE TO CARRY MY PORTABLE JUMP STARTER BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO START ON IT'S OWN. SOMETIMES, I CAN GO WEEKS WITHOUT HAVING TO JUMPSTART IT, OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO JUMPSTART IT EVERY MORNING. IT'S SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE AND SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND EACH TIME TESTS GOOD, MY MECHANIC HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO OTHER ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE PART. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH MANY OTHER HONDAS, NOT JUST CR-V, BUT THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO ORDER A RECALL OR ADMIT THAT IT'S EVEN A PROBLEM. THIS IS WRONG. HOMDA NEEDS TO DIG DEEP AND FIND THEIR ISSUE. SO MANY DRIVERS AROUND THE COUNTRY CANNOT BE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE AND THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AND HONDA NEEDS TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11386422
72,000 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND FAILED TO PRODUCE ADEQUATE HEAT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN'S HONDA CITY USED CARS (7154 RITCHIE HWY SUITE 100, GLEN BURNIE, MD 410) 760-6561) WHERE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND FAILED TO PRODUCE ADEQUATE HEAT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN'S HONDA CITY USED CARS (7154 RITCHIE HWY SUITE 100, GLEN BURNIE, MD 410) 760-6561) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #11355532
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2020
Electrical System
I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE THAT MANY 2014 HONDA CRV'S HAVE THE HEATING ISSUE DESCRIBED IN TSB 14-063 (NHTSA ID: 10120775 AND 10118028). MY 2014 CRV SUFFERS FROM THE SAME ISSUE. TO BE PRECISE, THE VENT ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OF THE CAR (DRIVER'S SIDE) DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR. ALL THREE VENTS TO THE RIGHT SEEM TO BLOW FINE.
NHTSA ODI #11298306
80,000 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Electrical System
WHILE IT IS STATIONARY, THE TAILGATE CANNOT BE OPEN EXTERNALLY WHEN IN COLD TEMPERATURE LIKE 35 DEGREES. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN IT INSIDE AND THUS NO WAY TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE TAILGATE FROM INSIDE. NOT SAFE. HERE ARE LINKS FOR COMPLAINTS. IT HAPPENS TO 2012 TO 2016 AND EVEN 2019 ON HRV MODELS. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS, THE O…
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WHILE IT IS STATIONARY, THE TAILGATE CANNOT BE OPEN EXTERNALLY WHEN IN COLD TEMPERATURE LIKE 35 DEGREES. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN IT INSIDE AND THUS NO WAY TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE TAILGATE FROM INSIDE. NOT SAFE. HERE ARE LINKS FOR COMPLAINTS. IT HAPPENS TO 2012 TO 2016 AND EVEN 2019 ON HRV MODELS. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH. THEY SAID IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN EVEN AFTER REPLACING IT. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY FOR DIAGNOSITICS AND REPAIRS UNTIL IT WORKS FOR GOOD. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T45488_DS632303 HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/CR-V/2014/BODY_PAINT/TAILGATE_NOT_WORKING_PROPERLY.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CITY-DATA.COM/FORUM/HONDA-ACURA/2282486-2013-HONDA-CR-V-TAILGATE-WONT.HTML
NHTSA ODI #11279998
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical System
2014 HONDA CRV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE BULLETIN 15-086 WITH VEHICLE THAT CAUSES A SURGE, VIBRATION OR JUDDER FELT WHILE DRIVING UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. *AS *JS
NHTSA ODI #11277896
50,256 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
MY VEHICLE WAS STALLED IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JULY 17, 2019 IN A PARKING LOT AND TOWED TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP NEARBY. THE MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE STALL WAS CAUSED BY THE SHORTAGE OF ALL FUSES IN THE PRIMARY FUSE BOX DUE TO LEAKING OIL FROM THE TIMING CHAIN COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE OI…
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MY VEHICLE WAS STALLED IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JULY 17, 2019 IN A PARKING LOT AND TOWED TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP NEARBY. THE MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE STALL WAS CAUSED BY THE SHORTAGE OF ALL FUSES IN THE PRIMARY FUSE BOX DUE TO LEAKING OIL FROM THE TIMING CHAIN COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE OIL LEAK OCCURRED FOR A WHILE SO IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSES THROUGH THE INCASED ELECTRICAL WIRES. I THINK THAT IT DEFINITELY IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY LIFE COULD BE IN A DANGER IF THE SHORTAGE OCCURRED WHEN I DROVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. THEREFORE, I WANTED YOUR AGENCY TO RAISE THIS SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO HONDA CRV TO HONDA MANUFACTURER AND CONSUMERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING A SIMILAR TYPE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY COOPERATING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. SINCERELY, (XXXX) P.S. ATTACHMENT IS THE REPAIRING STATEMENT FROM CURRY DEALERSHIP. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DECLINED ASSISTANCE DUE TO AN EXPIRED WARRANTY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11234581
34,500 miles · Jul 11, 2019
Electrical SystemWheels
I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND CAR SERVICED ON 6/21/19 AND ON 6/22/19 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING ONLY 2 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND ALL WERE AT 40LBS. I RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE CENSURE, AND A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS YET AGAIN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CHE…
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I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND CAR SERVICED ON 6/21/19 AND ON 6/22/19 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING ONLY 2 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND ALL WERE AT 40LBS. I RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE CENSURE, AND A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS YET AGAIN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CHECK MY PRESSURE AGAIN AND ALL WERE 40LBS. BEFORE MY TIRES WERE ROTATED MY LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, AND NOW IT COMES ON AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. NOT SURE IF IT IS THE SENSOR THAT HAS GONE BAD OR IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HOW THE TIRES ARE ROTATING. MY CAR HAS 34,500 MILES ON IT. CHECK TIRE LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT; NO POT HOLES WERE HIT AND THE ROADS WERE NOT UNEVEN.
NHTSA ODI #11230974
23,500 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK HONDA MICHIGAN CITY (LOCATED AT 710 E HWY 20, MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360, (219) 874-4293) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK HONDA MICHIGAN CITY (LOCATED AT 710 E HWY 20, MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360, (219) 874-4293) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,500. *TR NOTE: THE TIRE PRESSURE FOR ALL TIRES (INCLUDING SPARE) IS CHECKED AND ADJUSTED FREQUENTLY WHEN THE TIRES ARE COLD. THE TPM IS THEN RESET PER THE HONDA OWNERS MANUAL BUT THE LIGHT SOON COMES BACK ON.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11230406
22,119 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Electrical System
BATTERY PROVIDED VERY SLOW STARTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ANOMALIES ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITHIN A MONTH OR SO PRIOR TO TESTING AND REPLACEMENT ON 01/24/17. VEHICLE (AND THE OEM BATTERY) HAD 22,119 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE, AND HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR APPR. 17 MONTHS. NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE. HONDA REIMBURSED FOR DIAGNOS…
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BATTERY PROVIDED VERY SLOW STARTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ANOMALIES ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITHIN A MONTH OR SO PRIOR TO TESTING AND REPLACEMENT ON 01/24/17. VEHICLE (AND THE OEM BATTERY) HAD 22,119 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE, AND HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR APPR. 17 MONTHS. NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE. HONDA REIMBURSED FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPLACEMENT AT INDEPENDENT SHOP.
NHTSA ODI #11203454
Official recalls
1Dec 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.
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.