NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
77 reportsClear category filter14,675 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical SystemTiresWheels
LEAVING FOR 4 HOUR VACATION DRIVE; AS WE WERE ABOUT 60 MILES FROM HOME THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) LOW-TIRE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF AT A SAFE SPOT, EXAMINE THE TIRES, CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE VACATION ENDED THERE AS WE TURNED AROUND AND CAME HOME BECAUSE WE CAN NO LO…
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LEAVING FOR 4 HOUR VACATION DRIVE; AS WE WERE ABOUT 60 MILES FROM HOME THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) LOW-TIRE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF AT A SAFE SPOT, EXAMINE THE TIRES, CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE VACATION ENDED THERE AS WE TURNED AROUND AND CAME HOME BECAUSE WE CAN NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE. THE TPMS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE DAY ONE! ORIGINALLY I SUSPECTED THE PRE-DELIVERY TIRE CHECK AND CALIBRATION WAS MISSED SO I PERFORMED IT MYSELF. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO HONDA WHO FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE CONDITION STATING WE ARE WORKING ON A RE-PROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER 12/2013. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE UNTIL I COULDN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE AND CALLED HONDA USA AGAIN WHO MAGICALLY SAID WE HAVE A FIX. BACK TO DEALER WHO INSTALLED A VSA MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS 6/2014. LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN 8/19/2014 AS STATED ABOVE. CALLED HONDA USA, TOOK TO DEALER TODAY FOR VSA REPAIR KIT FIT USA 13-040. THIS SEEMS FISHY AS IT IS A REPAIR KIT FOR A HONDA FIT NOT SPECIFICALLY FOR A CRV. TIME WILL TELL BUT WE CAN NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE AS I AM HANDICAPPED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627172
2,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #10618092
2,127 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
RAPID AND UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WHILE DRIVING.WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY THE FOLLOWING CAR.WE LOST OF ALL INSTRUMENTATION,ALL OF THE WARNINGS LIGHTS INDICATE FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER,TACHOMETER,AIRBAGS,VSA,BRAKES,ABS,ETC.. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. #1(4/4/14) REPLACED VSA MODULE AND BLEED …
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RAPID AND UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WHILE DRIVING.WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY THE FOLLOWING CAR.WE LOST OF ALL INSTRUMENTATION,ALL OF THE WARNINGS LIGHTS INDICATE FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER,TACHOMETER,AIRBAGS,VSA,BRAKES,ABS,ETC.. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. #1(4/4/14) REPLACED VSA MODULE AND BLEED BRAKES+ RESET CODES,#2 (4/8/14) REPLACE 2 WIRING HARNESSES AND VERIFY CONNECTIONS+ RESET CODES,#3(5/8/14) MEASURE ALL CAN BUSS VOLTAGES & DRIVE WITH METER+ RESET CODES, #4(6/10/14)DEALER THINKS THEY HAVE FOUND A LOOSE GROUND & REPLACED ECM/PCM MODULE+RESET CODES, DROVE A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES THEN RETURNED. THE LOOSE PIN MAY HAVE BEEN FROM REPLACING THE HARNESS AND REMOVING CONNECTORS MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR 30 DAYS OF SERVICE COMBINED. IN 1857 MILES THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. YOU HAVE NO SPEED INDICATION WHILE DRIVING DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT. FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES COME ON OR CAR IS FORCED INTO LOW GEAR THROWING PASSENGERS FORWARD AND CAUSING FOLLOWING CARS TO EVADE THE CAR . THERE ARE MANY ERROR CODES DURING THESE EVENTS. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING CAR MULTIPLE TIMES ALL INDICATORS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL EXCEPT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THREE OF THE EVENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604878
8,664 miles · May 17, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Wheels
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEMP (TPMS) LIGHT COME ON EVERY FEW MILES. WE HAD RESETED IT 50 TIME BY NOW. ALL SPEED & TEMPERATURES. DEALERS SERVICED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES SO FAR. CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT OK. CUSTOMER FORUM MENTIONED A VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL FIRMWARE "VSA/ABS SOFTWARE UPDATE" & "SB#14-006 UPDATE". DEALER APPLIE…
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEMP (TPMS) LIGHT COME ON EVERY FEW MILES. WE HAD RESETED IT 50 TIME BY NOW. ALL SPEED & TEMPERATURES. DEALERS SERVICED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES SO FAR. CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT OK. CUSTOMER FORUM MENTIONED A VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL FIRMWARE "VSA/ABS SOFTWARE UPDATE" & "SB#14-006 UPDATE". DEALER APPLIED FIRMWARE UPDATE MAY 8. BUT TPMS LIGHTS STILL CAME ON. PROBLEM NOT FIXED BY THE FIRMWARE UPDATE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592192
5 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical SystemTires
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE BEFORE I TOOK THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT. DESPITE MULTIPLE CHECKS, THE LIGHT DOES NOT SEEM TO STAY OFF AND HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE ACTUAL PRESSURE OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE ITSELF SEEMS FINE. I HAD THE DEALER CONDUCT A SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON 3/30/14 AND THE LIGHT H…
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE BEFORE I TOOK THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT. DESPITE MULTIPLE CHECKS, THE LIGHT DOES NOT SEEM TO STAY OFF AND HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE ACTUAL PRESSURE OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE ITSELF SEEMS FINE. I HAD THE DEALER CONDUCT A SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON 3/30/14 AND THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON THREE TIMES SINCE. THE DEALER IS SUSPECTING THAT CELL PHONE INTERFERENCE IT A POSSIBLE CULPRIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576871
752 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Electrical System
REF COMPLAINT 10574247... TPMS LIGHT... HONDA MOTOR HAS PUT OUT A FIX FOR THIS IN THE 2014 CR-V... THE FIX WAS PUT IN MY CAR ON 3/24/2014 AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574946
763 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Electrical SystemTires
TPMS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR ABOUT THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS AGO. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESET PER THE VEHICLES MANUAL, PUT CAR IN PARK, TURN ON, PUSH THE TPMS BUTTON, WILL FLASH TWICE AND THEN DRIVE FOR 30 MINUTES AT A SPEED OF BETWEEN 30 AND 60 MPH. I DID THIS AND APPARENTLY THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT…
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TPMS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN FOR ABOUT THE 5TH OR 6TH TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS AGO. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESET PER THE VEHICLES MANUAL, PUT CAR IN PARK, TURN ON, PUSH THE TPMS BUTTON, WILL FLASH TWICE AND THEN DRIVE FOR 30 MINUTES AT A SPEED OF BETWEEN 30 AND 60 MPH. I DID THIS AND APPARENTLY THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT CALIBRATE. NEW CAR, TOTALLY FRUSTRATED ESPECIALLY TO SEE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE TO DEALER AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574247
250 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical SystemTires
HAVE OWNED MY HONDA CRV 2014 FOR 2 MONTHS AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON 3 TIMES. DEALER DOES NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT DOES NOT PERMANENTLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM EITHER. HAS HONDA ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM HERE? I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME BODY MAKE HONDA FIX THE PROBLEM!!!…
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HAVE OWNED MY HONDA CRV 2014 FOR 2 MONTHS AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON 3 TIMES. DEALER DOES NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT DOES NOT PERMANENTLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM EITHER. HAS HONDA ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM HERE? I SEE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME BODY MAKE HONDA FIX THE PROBLEM!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566172
3,500 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityStructure
MY HONDA CRV WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. I WAS ONLY ABOUT 300 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE ALARM. I CAME BACK TO SEE GLASS ALL OVER THE FLOOR, MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS GONE FROM THE CAR. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED HONDA ODYSSEY, I FELT THAT THE CAR HAD ALARM AS THE KEY HAS REMO…
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MY HONDA CRV WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. I WAS ONLY ABOUT 300 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE ALARM. I CAME BACK TO SEE GLASS ALL OVER THE FLOOR, MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS GONE FROM THE CAR. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED HONDA ODYSSEY, I FELT THAT THE CAR HAD ALARM AS THE KEY HAS REMOTE LOCK AND AND UNLOCK FUNCTIONS AND THE CAR EVEN SOUNDED A FAMILIAR ARMING SOUND WHEN REMOTELY LOCKED. WHEN I WENT INTO A DEALER IN FLORIDA TO INQUIRE WHY THE ALARM DID NOT WORK, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD PASSIVE ALARM, WHICH MEANS THAT THE ALARM SHOULD SOUND IF THE GLASS IS BROKEN. UPON RETURNING TO NEW YORK, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THE CAR HAS NO ALARM, AND THAT THE FAMILIAR SOUND IS JUST TO INDICATE TO ME THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ARE LOCKED! AT NO TIME DURING THE SALES TRANSACTION WAS I TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS NO ALARM OR THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE AN ALARM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565793
1,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Electrical SystemTiresWheels
THE TPMS LIGHT (LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING) ON NEW HONDA CR-V (2014) COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, WHEN I CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES, THEY ARE ALL WITHIN THE RECOMMENDED SETTINGS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE RECALIBRATED THE SYSTEM TWICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565304
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.