← New search

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

108 reports
Clear category filter
40,706 miles · Jun 3, 2017
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

I WAS PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE BEHIND A PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH A TREMENDOUS ACCELERATION AND HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AT LEAST, ALMOST $5,000 IN DAMAGE WAS DONE.

NHTSA ODI #10992983

4,000 miles · May 27, 2017
SteeringUnknown Or Other

DURING COLD WEATHER, WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING, IT MAKES A WEIRD NOISE, NOT SURE IF IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. ANY TIME I SPEED UP THE CAR FROM 20 PMPH TO 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A NOISE SIMILAR TO AMBULANCE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS UNDER WARRANTY YET AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL, I DON'T AGRE…

Read full complaint

DURING COLD WEATHER, WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING, IT MAKES A WEIRD NOISE, NOT SURE IF IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. ANY TIME I SPEED UP THE CAR FROM 20 PMPH TO 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A NOISE SIMILAR TO AMBULANCE NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS UNDER WARRANTY YET AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL, I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS, PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI #10991907

12,000 miles · Feb 20, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

SAFECAR.GOV 2-20-17 I KEEP HEARING A SOUND WHEN I START MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS AFTER WORK WHEN I START THE CAR TO GO HOME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN DECEMBER 2016 AFTER MY VEHICLE REACHED APPROX 12,000 MILES. IT'S LIKE A GRINDING SOUND AND IS ONLY ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL…

Read full complaint

SAFECAR.GOV 2-20-17 I KEEP HEARING A SOUND WHEN I START MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS AFTER WORK WHEN I START THE CAR TO GO HOME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN DECEMBER 2016 AFTER MY VEHICLE REACHED APPROX 12,000 MILES. IT'S LIKE A GRINDING SOUND AND IS ONLY ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL WITH HONDA. THAT DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME. IN ADDITION, AFTER MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON WHEN I'M DRIVING APPROX 25 MILES ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE MY VEHICLE HI CHECK UP, 12,170 MILES. THEN MY BATTERY DIED AT 13,129 MILES A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER MY MY MULTI-POINT INSPECTION, TIRE ROTATION, AND OIL CHANGE. THE AAA ROAD SIDE REPRESENTATIVE SAID I HAD BAD CELLS. TODAY, I READ ONLINE CONSUMER REPORTS OF GRINDING NOISE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WHO DRIVE A 2014 HONDA CR-V. I CALLED THE HONDA CORPORATE OFFICE WHO DENIED HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE COMPLAINTS. THEY DID GIVE ME A CASE NUMBER REGARDING MY PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE. THE CORPORATE REP DID REFER ME TO YOUR SITE STATING THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUES AS I THINK IT IS STRANGE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN AT AROUND 12,000 I'VE SUDDENLY HAD THESE WEIRD ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. COULD THESE ISSUES BE CONNECTED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT? IS THE LIGHT GOING ON FROM A SHORT? IS THE BATTERY GOING DEAD FROM A SHORT? IS THE GRINDING CONNECTED TO A SHORT? I'M FRUSTRATED BECAUSE, I CAN'T KEEP TAKING TIME OFF FROM WORK TO DEAL WITH VEHICLE PROBLEMS. I'VE ATTACHED 2 RECEIPT DOCUMENTS AND I CAN EMAIL A RECORDING OF ME STARTING MY VEHICLE. ALSO, HERE IS A LINK TO A 2014 CRV OWNER'S PUBLIC POSTED VIDEO ABOUT THE SAME NOISE: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/0O_P8BJPWEQ ALSO HERE IS A LINK TO OTHER ONLINE PUBLIC POSTS: HTTP://HONDA-TECH.COM/FORUMS/HONDA-ELEMENT-CR-V-156/2014-CR-V-GRINDING-NOISE-START-UP-3228595/ I HOME YOU CAN HELP GET SOME ANSWERS TO MY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10955656

50,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING FROM 20 MPH TO 30 MPH WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON LEVEL GROUND.THE CAR VIBRATES BADLY. HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND HOT. DOES NOT VIBRATE ABOVE 30+ MPH.

NHTSA ODI #10944687

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2016
Unknown Or Other

GRINDING NOISE UPON CAR STARTING. UPON STARTING THE CAR THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT LAST APPROXIMATELY 1-1.5 SECONDS. I FIRST NOTICED THIS SOUND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THEY HEAR THIS COMPLAINT OFTEN. THEY SAID THAT HONDA WAS AWARE, BUT THA…

Read full complaint

GRINDING NOISE UPON CAR STARTING. UPON STARTING THE CAR THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT LAST APPROXIMATELY 1-1.5 SECONDS. I FIRST NOTICED THIS SOUND ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THEY HEAR THIS COMPLAINT OFTEN. THEY SAID THAT HONDA WAS AWARE, BUT THAT THEY HAVE NOT PLACED A RECALL ON IT. I ACCEPTED THAT THEY WERE GIVING ME ACCURATE INFORMATION AND FIGURED I WOULD GET A RECALL ON IT EVENTUALLY. RECENTLY, THE CAR CONTINUES TO MAKE THE GRINDING NOISE, BUT ALSO ACTS AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO START ON COLD MORNINGS. MAKES THIS GRINDING NOISE APPROXIMATELY 75% OF ALL STARTS OF THE CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER CHECKED. WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10934404

24,048 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other

FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS). THIS SENSOR GIVES FAULTY READING EVEN THERE IS NO DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TPMS LIGHT COMES WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND AFTER IT TRAVELS LONGER THAN 50 MI ON A HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAD…

Read full complaint

FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS). THIS SENSOR GIVES FAULTY READING EVEN THERE IS NO DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TPMS LIGHT COMES WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND AFTER IT TRAVELS LONGER THAN 50 MI ON A HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BE RESOLVED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM BY OWNERS OF 2014 HONDA CR-V ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HONDA IS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM AND PLEASE FORCE THEM TO RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD.

NHTSA ODI #10916566

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

OUT OF THE BLUE, MY HONDA CR-V 2014 WON'T START, I HAVE TO JUMP IT, AND WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE, GOT MY BATTERY CHECK OUT AND EVERYTHING LEVEL OF THE BATTERY CAME BACK NORMAL. LUCKY ME, IT WAS HAPPENED ON THE WEEKEND AND I HAD SOMEONE WHO HAPPENED TO BE AROUND AND HELP ME. I WAS SO AFRAID THAT IT COULD HAPPENED TO ME ANY…

Read full complaint

OUT OF THE BLUE, MY HONDA CR-V 2014 WON'T START, I HAVE TO JUMP IT, AND WENT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE, GOT MY BATTERY CHECK OUT AND EVERYTHING LEVEL OF THE BATTERY CAME BACK NORMAL. LUCKY ME, IT WAS HAPPENED ON THE WEEKEND AND I HAD SOMEONE WHO HAPPENED TO BE AROUND AND HELP ME. I WAS SO AFRAID THAT IT COULD HAPPENED TO ME ANY TIME, SO I DECIDED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. MAYBE THE CASHIER THINKING I HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO WASTE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT BURNING MY MONEY FOR UNNECESSARY THINGS. I PAID: $144.93 (TAX INCLUDED) I DON'T THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A 2 YEARS OLD CAR AND BATTERY TEST CAME OUT NORMAL, NOT WEAK. HOPE THIS IS NOT A MAJOR THING, BUT WHO KNOWS.

NHTSA ODI #10911380

11,000 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT : THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN RESET USING THE MANUAL, BY A TIRE CENTER AND ALSO BY A HONDA DEALER. AFTER THE HONDA SERVICE THE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR I DAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE…

Read full complaint

TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT : THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN RESET USING THE MANUAL, BY A TIRE CENTER AND ALSO BY A HONDA DEALER. AFTER THE HONDA SERVICE THE LIGHT REMAINED OFF FOR I DAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO IGNORE IT ...REALLY THAT IS THE ANSWER!

NHTSA ODI #10892337

24,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY DEALER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAGS BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ESTIMATE AS TO WHEN REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS WILL BECOME AVALIABLE. DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE AS TO TYPICAL WAIT TIMES FOR SUCH REPLACEMENT?

NHTSA ODI #10873250

17,420 miles · May 24, 2016
Unknown Or Other

INTERMITTENT CLICKING SOUND EMITS UNDER EITHER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OR UNDER CENTER FRONT ARMREST WHILE DRIVING. THE CLICKING SOUNDS DURATION IS ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS WITH INTERMISSION OF SEVERAL SECONDS. THE SOUNDS REPEAT AFTER CHECKING PROPER SEAT'S ENGAGEMENT AND EMPTYING CENTER ARMREST COMPARTMENT OF ANY OBJECTS.

NHTSA ODI #10870503

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.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems