NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
190 reportsClear category filter13,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Engine
I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE CAM/TIMING CHAIN, TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN TEMPS BELOW 40 DEGREES. VISITED WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED AT, DIDN'T EVEN START A WORK TICKET WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT IT WAS DOING. STATED IT WAS THE VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM ,THEY ALL HAVE IT, REPLACING THE PART WON'T FIX IT, JUST HA…
Read full complaint
I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE CAM/TIMING CHAIN, TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN TEMPS BELOW 40 DEGREES. VISITED WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED AT, DIDN'T EVEN START A WORK TICKET WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT IT WAS DOING. STATED IT WAS THE VTC ACTUATOR PROBLEM ,THEY ALL HAVE IT, REPLACING THE PART WON'T FIX IT, JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. WENT TO 2ND DEALER, SAID SAME THING BUT STARTED A WORK TICKET. GAVE ME A COPY OF A HONDA "TECH LINE SUMMARY ARTICLE" ENGINE RATTLES AFTER COLD SOAK STARTUP. AFFECTED VEHICLES, 2008-12 ACCORD, 2012-15 CROSSTOUR, 2012-14 CR-V, WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A SOLUTION BUT HAVE NO RECOMMENDED DEALER REPAIR AT THIS TIME. CONTACTED HONDA MOTOR CO. TO FILE A COMPLAINT, WE WOULD LIKE TO FIX YOUR CAR, HOW? YOU DON'T HAVE A FIX, PROBLEM SINCE 2008. ASKED FOR MY PURCHASE PRICE TO BE REIMBURSED MINUS USAGE. WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM HONDA. WILL PURSUE DISPUTE RESOLUTION/ARBITRATION IF NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693136
2,000 miles · Feb 28, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE,THEN CAR JUMPS FORWARD. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. AM GOING TO MY DEALER TOMORROW. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET,SO ITS NO…
Read full complaint
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE,THEN CAR JUMPS FORWARD. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES. AM GOING TO MY DEALER TOMORROW. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET,SO ITS NOT MY IMAGINATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691261
6,100 miles · Feb 28, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CRV, FROM A COLD START AND 2 WARM STARTS, I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING ALSO WITH WARMS STARTS (2X THIS WEEK). CALLED HONDA DEALER , ROCHESTER NY WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. SPOKE TO A SENIOR SERVICE ADVIS…
Read full complaint
MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CRV, FROM A COLD START AND 2 WARM STARTS, I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING ALSO WITH WARMS STARTS (2X THIS WEEK). CALLED HONDA DEALER , ROCHESTER NY WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. SPOKE TO A SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR AND TOLD ME OUT RIGHT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM/DEFECT (HIS WORDS) AND HONDA IS WELL AWARE OF IT AND THERE IS NO FIX KNOWN. I ASKED FOR A DATE TO BRING MY 2014 CR-V IN AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO REASON TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND TO WAIT FOR THE COLD WEATHER TO GO AWAY. HE ALLOWED ME TO QUOTE HIM THAT "THERE IS NO PROBLEM, IT'S THE VTEC ACTUATOR, NOTHING TO FIX PER HONDA USA AND ASSURED ME THAT NO, NONE DAMAGE IS ACCRUING WHEN I HEAR THE GRINDING ENGINE START NOISE." HE SUGGESTED THAT I TURN THE KEY TO THE 'ON' POSITION FOR 20 SECONDS, TURN OFF THE KEY, AND RESTART THE CAR AND I SHOULD HAVE NO ISSUES. I TRIED THAT 2X TODAY 2/28/2015 AND STILL GOT THE SAME HARSH GRINDING NOISE. THE FACT THE DEALER WON'T EVEN LET ME MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHECK THIS CAR, AND WITH MUCH RESEARCH BY MYSELF, THERE IS 100'S OF THESE SAME REPORTS VIA GOOGLE, YOUTUBE VIDEOS WITH EXACT SOUNDS. I DEMAND THIS CAR TO BE FIXED, IT IS NOT STARTING CORRECTLY, AND I AM GETTING ZERO ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONDA DEALER HERE IN ROCHESTER, NY. BY THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO ME, THIS IS A KNOWN, ON-GOING DEFECT IN MANY HONDA ENGINES, AND WHEN I ASK MORE THAN 50+ PRE-SALE QUESTIONS, AT NO TIME WAS I GIVEN THIS INFORMATION UPFRONT. THE DEALER AND HONDA ARE SIMPLY HIDING A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ARE USING HORRID CUSTOMER SERVICE TACTICS TO GT AROUND IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691255
3,200 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine
EVERY DAY WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURES ARE 20 BELOW OR SO, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I START THE CAR UP. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE. DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE IT IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT ONLY LAST ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO.
NHTSA ODI #10690867
26,500 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine
EVERY MORNING WITH TEMPERATURES UNDER 20 DEG F, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE UPON START UP, NOISE VARIES IN DURATION BETWEEN 1-2 SECONDS.
NHTSA ODI #10690759
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2015
Engine
ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS, WHEN IT IS COLD, THAT WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. IT ONLY LASTS FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND WHEN I RESTART THE CAR, IT DOESN'T REOCCUR. IT ALSO DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME THAT IT IS COLD. I WAS GOING TO MENTION IT THE NEXT TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I'VE READ …
Read full complaint
ON 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS, WHEN IT IS COLD, THAT WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, THE ENGINE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. IT ONLY LASTS FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND WHEN I RESTART THE CAR, IT DOESN'T REOCCUR. IT ALSO DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME THAT IT IS COLD. I WAS GOING TO MENTION IT THE NEXT TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I'VE READ THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SHARE THEIR CONCERN THAT THIS COULD BE DAMAGING THE ENGINE SO I WANTED TO ADD MY REPORT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10690734
9,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON COLD DAYS, SOMETIMES A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THAT LASTS ABOUT A SECOND. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY COLD MORNING, BUT IT HAPPENS FAIRLY REGULARLY ON COLD MORNINGS. I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HONDA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A SOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM N…
Read full complaint
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON COLD DAYS, SOMETIMES A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THAT LASTS ABOUT A SECOND. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY COLD MORNING, BUT IT HAPPENS FAIRLY REGULARLY ON COLD MORNINGS. I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HONDA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A SOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED TO ENSURE NO DAMAGE IS OCCURRING TO THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690174
1,508 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Engine
I LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE TEMPERATURE GETS EXTREMELY COLD. I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD AUDIBLE GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS DURING COLD WEATHER START UPS. I SEE MORE THAN ONE WRITE UP ON THIS CONCERNING THIS EXACT NOISE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE NOISE IS: "NORMAL BUT NOT NORM…
Read full complaint
I LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE TEMPERATURE GETS EXTREMELY COLD. I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD AUDIBLE GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS DURING COLD WEATHER START UPS. I SEE MORE THAN ONE WRITE UP ON THIS CONCERNING THIS EXACT NOISE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE NOISE IS: "NORMAL BUT NOT NORMAL". HE SAID HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE VTC ACTUATOR WHEN IT GETS COLD. HE SHOWED ME AN EMAIL FROM HONDA THAT SPECIFICALLY SAYS TO QUIT REPLACING VTC ACTUATORS BECAUSE IT IS NOT HELPING FIX THE PROBLEM. IT'S AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THE VTC ACTUATOR SO REPLACING IT WITH AN IDENTICAL UNIT WILL NOT HELP.. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT HURTING MY CAR IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. AFTER SEVERAL MORE DAYS OF LOUD GRINDING NOISES EACH MORNING; I SPOKE WITH HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE OVER TWITTER. HONDA REPEATED WHAT THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE VTC ACTUATOR BUT ARE CURRENTLY DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAID, "WE ARE AWARE OF THE CONCERN AND ARE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO TO REDUCE IT". I THEN ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHAT EXACTLY IN THE VTC ACTUATOR IS MAKING THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD, "I APOLOGIZE BUT INFORMATION ON WHAT IS MAKING THE NOISE IS NOT AVAILABLE"... NOT KIDDING. THEY ALSO SAID, "THE NOISE DOESN'T AFFECT THE DRIVEABILITY OR RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. WE APOLOGIZE BUT CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO REPAIRS FOR THIS." I AM SUPPOSE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT HURTING MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE IN THE VTC ACTUATOR? IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS TO SEE IF A RECALL WOULD BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE THEN REPAIRING THE CARS OF US COLD WEATHER DRIVERS WHEN THE TIME COMES AND OUR ENGINES FAIL. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT METAL SHAVINGS GETTING INTO THE OIL/ENGINE CAUSING FAILURE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681770
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, EVEN IN GARAGE. TAKING TO HONDA DEALER THIS WEEK. LOOKING AT ALL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I AM NOT EXPECTING MUCH TO BE DONE. SEEMS HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON CRVS BUT CAN'T DIAGNOSE???????!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680372
6,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Engine
DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS IN MICHIGAN, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO HONDA DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A "NORMAL PROBLEM" WITH CR-VS APPARENTLY DUE TO THE OIL PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AMERICAN HONDA WAS CONTACTED AND WAS …
Read full complaint
DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS IN MICHIGAN, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO HONDA DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A "NORMAL PROBLEM" WITH CR-VS APPARENTLY DUE TO THE OIL PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AMERICAN HONDA WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT INDICATED ANY SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678980
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.