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2014 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Honda CR-V do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 400.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

396 reports with mileage · 191 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 190 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports7 fire reports22 injury reports

Engine complaints

190 reports
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25,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND (INTERMITTENTLY) TO THE THROTTLE. THIS MAKES FOR A VERY DICEY SITUATION WHEN TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP, E.G., A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO QUICKLY LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND JUST AS QUICKLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL TO GET T…

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THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND (INTERMITTENTLY) TO THE THROTTLE. THIS MAKES FOR A VERY DICEY SITUATION WHEN TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP, E.G., A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO QUICKLY LET UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND JUST AS QUICKLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESPOND. DURING THESE EPISODES THE ENGINE IS JUST IDLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHICH PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS. THE ANSWER WAS THE TYPICAL ONE THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM A DEALERSHIP: 'WE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". FROM POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS WITH HONDA VEHICLES. IN FACT A DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME THAT HIS BROTHER HAS A HONDA WHICH HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALMOST FROM THE DAY HE PURCHASED IT. I'M NOT JUST IMAGINING THIS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY RELAY OR THE THROTTLE BODY ITSELF WHICH WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. THIS ISN'T JUST MY IMAGINATION AT WORK. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE A DEADLY SITUATION. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678325

7,915 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Engine

ON COLD DAYS I HEAR GRINDING NOISE WHEN I START MY CAR, FEW SECOND NOISE THEN ITS FINE. I NOTICED IT STARTED IN DECEMBER WHEN THE COLD WEATHER HITS TEXAS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN DAILY ONLY ON COLD DAYS AS CAR SITS IN DRIVEWAY. SOME DAYS IT WILL BE COLD AND IT WILL BE FINE AND OTHER DAYS ANOTHER COLD DAY AND IT WILL HAPPEN FOR A FEW …

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ON COLD DAYS I HEAR GRINDING NOISE WHEN I START MY CAR, FEW SECOND NOISE THEN ITS FINE. I NOTICED IT STARTED IN DECEMBER WHEN THE COLD WEATHER HITS TEXAS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN DAILY ONLY ON COLD DAYS AS CAR SITS IN DRIVEWAY. SOME DAYS IT WILL BE COLD AND IT WILL BE FINE AND OTHER DAYS ANOTHER COLD DAY AND IT WILL HAPPEN FOR A FEW SECONDS. MY CAR HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 8000 MILES. I FIND THIS TOO SOON TO HAVE ANY ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP JANUARY 16 WHERE CAR SAT OVER NIGHT TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND AND THE CAR DID NOT MAKE THAT NOISE. THE WEATHER WAS IN THE 40'S AND NOISE COULD NOT BE HEARD. MY CAR WAS STILL AT DEALERSHIP ON JANUARY 19 AND AGAIN NO SOUND WAS HEARD FROM CERTIFIED HONDA TECH. I OPENED UP HONDA CARE TICKET FOR A SOLUTION AND A PUSH FROM THEM TO REPLACE THE VTC ACTUATOR. THE TECH PLAYED DUMB AND SAID I WAS THE FIRST OWNER TO HAVE THIS COMPLIANT AND THEREFORE COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIX SOMETHING HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE. I TOOK MY CAR FROM THEM AFTER SITTING THERE SINCE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY JAN 19. HONDA CARE DID NOT PUSH THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I AM CONSIDERING TRADING IN MY CAR. I CANNOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A FAULTY HONDA PROBLEM. NOW I THE CONSUMER HAVE BEEN DUPED BY THIS IGNORANCE AND LETTING THIS KNOWN ISSUE JUST SIT AROUND AND GET BIGGER WITH CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676638

6,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Engine

SEPTEMBER 2014, 2014 HONDA CRV WITH ~6K MILES STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE UPON FIRST TURNING IGNITION SWITCH OVER. IT CONTINUED RANDOMLY UPON STARTING FOR ONLY 1-2 SECONDS & STOPS. AS THE WEATHER GOT COLDER, IT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON 10/15/14 & MADE THEM KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO REPLICATE PRO…

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SEPTEMBER 2014, 2014 HONDA CRV WITH ~6K MILES STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE UPON FIRST TURNING IGNITION SWITCH OVER. IT CONTINUED RANDOMLY UPON STARTING FOR ONLY 1-2 SECONDS & STOPS. AS THE WEATHER GOT COLDER, IT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN. TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER ON 10/15/14 & MADE THEM KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED & DETERMINED TO BE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL (VTC) ACTUATOR; CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY & FIXED. DECEMBER 2014 W/ ~13K MILES SAME ISSUE RESURFACED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP 01/14/15, HAD THEM PULL UP 10/15/14 REPAIR WORK TO REFERENCE STATED SAME ISSUE IS GOING ON. I WAS TOLD, "... YOU WILL NEED TO SPEAK W/ OUR SERVICE MANAGER XXXX AS THE MFG'R IS AWARE THIS IS A PROBLEM W/ THOUSANDS OF CARS LIKE YOURS & THEY ARE CHOOSING TO NOT DO ANY FURTHER REPAIR WORK FOR THIS PROBLEM BC IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IF REPAIRED & THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT...". I WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO SERVICE MGR & LEFT VOICEMAIL. 01/14/15 NO RESPONSE FROM SVC MGR, TO SPEAK W/ HIM AGAIN; THIS TIME I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE A VOICEMAIL & SVC TECH TOOK MY INFO & SAID SHE WOULD PUT IT ON A POST-IT NOTE ON XXXX'S COMPUTER TO HAVE HIM GIVE ME A CALL BACK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ HONDA'S GOING BACK TO 2008 INCLUSIVE OF TSB PUBLISHED DOC'S WHICH DEALERS DISMISS UNLESS CONSUMERS BRINGS THEM UP, OF WHICH DEALERS PLAY DUMB TO NOT KNOWING WHAT THE CAR OWNERS ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXABLE, ONLY TEMPORARILY DERAILED UNTIL REPAIR BECOMES NECESSARY AGAIN. THE MFG'R IS FORBIDDEN TO FIX THE CAR UNTIL THEY WORK ON A SUITABLE 'COUNTER' MEASURE. FAULTY VTC ACTUATOR AFFECTS ENGINE TIMING, FUEL EFFICIENCY, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND BATTER LIFE OF VEHICLE, POTENTIAL CAUSING ELECTRICAL FIRES WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672538

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2015
Engine

WHEN STARTING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON VERY COLD DAYS, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. HAPPENS ALSO IF IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN COLD WEATHER. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND AM TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHETHER IT CAN BE FIXED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 6,500 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT B…

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WHEN STARTING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON VERY COLD DAYS, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. HAPPENS ALSO IF IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN COLD WEATHER. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND AM TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHETHER IT CAN BE FIXED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 6,500 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ISSUES LIKE THIS. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MY SECOND CR-V AS WELL WHICH HAS ABOUT 9,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671759

14,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
EnginePower Train

1. 2014 POWER TRAIN -REAR PASSENGER WHEEL JUMPING/SKIPPING ON ACCELERATION. DEALER BROUGHT A LOANER,TOOK CAR AND REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL..SEEMS OK SINCE....HAD 2013 CRV W/FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE JUMPING ..TRADED BACK AFTER 9 MONTHS 2. 2014 ENGINE- GRINDING SOUND ON START UP. RECORDED SOUND ON VIDEO AND MECHANIC IDENTIFIED …

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1. 2014 POWER TRAIN -REAR PASSENGER WHEEL JUMPING/SKIPPING ON ACCELERATION. DEALER BROUGHT A LOANER,TOOK CAR AND REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL..SEEMS OK SINCE....HAD 2013 CRV W/FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE JUMPING ..TRADED BACK AFTER 9 MONTHS 2. 2014 ENGINE- GRINDING SOUND ON START UP. RECORDED SOUND ON VIDEO AND MECHANIC IDENTIFIED AS VTC ACTUATOR BUT SAID HONDA HAS NO FIX. SAID NO HARM WILL OCCUR W/REPETITION...HAD 2013 CRV W/SAME PROBLEM IN ADDITION TO FRONT AXLE ISSUES..AS NOTED ABOVE TRADED BACK AFTER 9 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671432

100 miles · Nov 28, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR HESITATES RANDOMLY FROM DEAD STOP. STARTS OFF AT ABOUT 2 MPH AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL 5 TO 10 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. HONDA HAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE RANDOM OCCURRENCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 20 TIMES. DOES NOT SHOW UP ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. REPLACED 2014 CR-V AFTER 10 WEEKS WITH …

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CAR HESITATES RANDOMLY FROM DEAD STOP. STARTS OFF AT ABOUT 2 MPH AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL 5 TO 10 SECONDS EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. HONDA HAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE RANDOM OCCURRENCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 20 TIMES. DOES NOT SHOW UP ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. REPLACED 2014 CR-V AFTER 10 WEEKS WITH 2015 CR-V. 2015 MODEL HAS DIFFERENT ISSUES. NO MORE HONDAS!!! TOOK A BIG FINANCIAL HIT ON REPLACING A 2014 CR-V AFTER 10 WEEKS WITH A 2015 CR-V. CAR TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661194

6,500 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Engine

DURING COLD WEATHER (WINTER) WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING THERE IS A ONE TIME GRINDING NOISE. THIS IS THE 2ND HONDA CRV THAT WE OWN THAT MAKES THIS SAME NOISE. WHEN I PERFORM A GOOGLE SEARCH I FIND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM MANY HONDA CRV OWNERS FROM MULTIPLE YEARS OF MANUFACTURE OF THE HONDA CRV. THE DEALER H…

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DURING COLD WEATHER (WINTER) WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING THERE IS A ONE TIME GRINDING NOISE. THIS IS THE 2ND HONDA CRV THAT WE OWN THAT MAKES THIS SAME NOISE. WHEN I PERFORM A GOOGLE SEARCH I FIND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM MANY HONDA CRV OWNERS FROM MULTIPLE YEARS OF MANUFACTURE OF THE HONDA CRV. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THIS NOISE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL VALVE (VTC) AND THAT HONDA IS WORKING ON A PERMANENT SOLUTION. HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF NOISE ISSUE AND SUPPOSEDLY WORKING ON A SOLUTION FOR AT LEAST 2 MODEL YEARS YET NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO ISSUE HAS BEEN PROVIDED AT THIS TIME. HONDA IS CURRENTLY MANUFACTURING AND SELLING CRV'S TO CONSUMERS WITH A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE MADE TO EXTEND THE ENGINE WARRANTY UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659514

9,500 miles · Oct 26, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

APPLY BRAKES FOR NORMAL STOP, EASE OFF THROTTLE PEDAL. WHEN ROAD IS CLEAR, RELEASE BRAKES, APPLY PRESSURE TO THROTTLE PEDAL. NO RESPONSE. ADD PRESSURE - NO RESPONSE. ADD MORE PRESSURE AND FULL SPEED AHEAD. *TR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PUTS YOU HARD AGAINST THE SEAT, WITH SUDDEN REACTION NEEDED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH THE…

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APPLY BRAKES FOR NORMAL STOP, EASE OFF THROTTLE PEDAL. WHEN ROAD IS CLEAR, RELEASE BRAKES, APPLY PRESSURE TO THROTTLE PEDAL. NO RESPONSE. ADD PRESSURE - NO RESPONSE. ADD MORE PRESSURE AND FULL SPEED AHEAD. *TR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PUTS YOU HARD AGAINST THE SEAT, WITH SUDDEN REACTION NEEDED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU GOING THE SAME WAY. ENTERING A FREEWAY COULD BE FUN!!! THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURANCE, AT ALMOST EVERY STOP AND PROCEED. FROM WHAT I HEAR ABOUT AIR BAGS IN SOME CARS, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION MAY BE A CAUSE OF AIR BAG RELEASE WHICH WOULD COMPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10650144

250 miles · Oct 17, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO OR ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION IS MOMENTARY BUT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648489

7,500 miles · Jan 23, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

I BOUGHT AT 2014 CRV END OF SEPT/OCT OF 2013. UPON THE FIRST SNOW FALL I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING ANY TRACTION, IT WAS SLIDING AROUND GOING DOWN HILLS AND UPON TRYING TO DRIVE UP HILLS IT WOULD STOP WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO GO UP. IT WOULD STOP AND WHEELS WOULD SPIN, THE REAR END SPUN T…

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I BOUGHT AT 2014 CRV END OF SEPT/OCT OF 2013. UPON THE FIRST SNOW FALL I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING ANY TRACTION, IT WAS SLIDING AROUND GOING DOWN HILLS AND UPON TRYING TO DRIVE UP HILLS IT WOULD STOP WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO GO UP. IT WOULD STOP AND WHEELS WOULD SPIN, THE REAR END SPUN TO THE SIDE AND I COULD NOT GET ANYWHERE. THE AMBER AWD LIGHTS CAME ON AND FLASHED, COMBINATION OF BOTH SCENARIOS. I FINALLY GOT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AS THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN DEEMED DEFECTIVE (OVERHEATING ISSUE TO POINT OF ALMOST GLOWING AND FLUID OVERHEATED). THE OTHER PROBLEM I HAVE HAD IS THAT IF THE CAR WAS PUT INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR TO AID SLOWING DOWN ON A HILL, EVEN FROM A STOPPED POSITION, IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CAR SPED UP GOING DOWN THE HILL IN FIRST GEAR TO APPROXIMATELY 40MPH EVEN WITH THE BRAKE ON, WHICH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ENGAGING AND NOT EVEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR BEHAVED THE SAME EVEN IF ON FLAT GROUND THAT HAD EVEN A DUSTING OF SNOW OR EVEN A LITTLE GRAVEL. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A COURTESY 2014 SAME YEAR AS MINE, IT DROVE MUCH BETTER AND MUCH SAFER THAN MINE PERFORMED AFTER THE FIRST 2 DAYS. I FEEL THE CAR HAS MORE ISSUES THAN JUST THE DIFFERENTIAL AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AS THE LAST 1-2 WEEKS THE CAR HAS HAD NO CONTROL IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN DRY ROADS. IT HAS ALMOST WRECKED MORE THAN ONCE DUE TO THESE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS 3.5 MONTHS OLD AND HAD UNDER 10,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF THIS HAS GONE WRONG SINCE THE BEGINNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561123

Official recalls

1

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

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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