Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
2130–25K
9325–50K
5550–75K
2175–100K
8100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
587 reports
23,790 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGED WHILE IDLING AND THE RPMS FLUCTUATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. DUE TO THE ABS MODULE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SOFTWARE COULD NOT BE UPDATED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGED WHILE IDLING AND THE RPMS FLUCTUATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. DUE TO THE ABS MODULE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SOFTWARE COULD NOT BE UPDATED TO PREVENT THE SURGE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,790.
NHTSA ODI #10934697
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…
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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
58,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Electrical System
THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED. BEING PARKED AT HOME, I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE DOOR ACTUATOR IS OUT AND THEY SEE THIS ON HONDA'S VERY FREQUENTLY. I CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE AND FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE ALREAD…
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THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED. BEING PARKED AT HOME, I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE DOOR ACTUATOR IS OUT AND THEY SEE THIS ON HONDA'S VERY FREQUENTLY. I CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE AND FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED IF IT HAS BEEN KNOWN. APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HONDA'S AND THEY HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THIS IN PRIOR YEAR MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #10928603
30,863 miles · Nov 23, 2016
Wheels
- LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TMPS INDICATOR; COMES ON FOR NO REASON. - BOUGHT NEW FROM WOLFCHASE HONDA, BARTLETT, TN. - 8/11/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO WOLFCHASE. PROBLEM CONTINUED. - 9/7/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO WOLFCHASE. PROBLEM CONTINUED. - 10/28/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO AUTONATION HONDA 385, MEMPHIS, TN. POINTED OUT HONDA SERVIC…
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- LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TMPS INDICATOR; COMES ON FOR NO REASON. - BOUGHT NEW FROM WOLFCHASE HONDA, BARTLETT, TN. - 8/11/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO WOLFCHASE. PROBLEM CONTINUED. - 9/7/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO WOLFCHASE. PROBLEM CONTINUED. - 10/28/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO AUTONATION HONDA 385, MEMPHIS, TN. POINTED OUT HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 14-006, DEC. 17, 2014, "LOW TIRE PRESSURE/TPMS INDICATOR IS ON WITH VSA DTC 151-11." THEY REPORTED A REPLACEMENT TIRE (SAME BRAND, SIZE, ETC. OF FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES) WAS "TOO BIG." TIRE REPLACED -- PROBLEM CONTINUED. - 10/31/2016: WROTE LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO OWNER OF WOLFCHASE HONDA AND AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC., AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE. - 11/4/2016: SERVICE MANAGER, WOLFCHASE HONDA, CALLED AND ASKED ME TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AGAIN. - 11/7/2016: VEHICLE TAKEN TO WOLFCHASE HONDA. - 11/11/2016: RECEIVED VOICE MAIL MESSAGE FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE "LARRY" WITH AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. RETURNED HIS CALL SAME DAY LEAVING VOICE MAIL MESSAGE THAT WE WERE TAKING A TWO-DAY ROAD TRIP AND WOULD GET BACK TO HIM UPON OUR RETURN SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. - 11/14/2016: EN ROUTE TO GRAND RIVERS, KENTUCKY (A 3-HOUR, 22-MINUTE, 197 MILE TRIP) TMPS INDICATOR CAME ON THREE TIMES. - 11/15/2016: EN ROUTE HOME, TMPS INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN; LEFT IT ON FOR DURATION OF TRIP. - 11/16/2016: TELEPHONED AND LEFT VOICE MAIL MESSAGE FOR "LARRY" AT AMERICAN HONDA CO., INC., TO CALL ME. HE DIDN'T CALL BACK. - 11/16/2016: TPMS INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN. - 11/17/2016: TELEPHONED AND LEFT VOICE MAIL MESSAGE FOR "LARRY" AT AMERICAN HONDA CO., INC. TO CALL ME. HE DIDN'T CALL BACK. SEE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/CR-V/2014/WHEELS_HUBS/FAULTY_TPMS.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CRVOWNERSCLUB.COM/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS-ISSUES/27802-2014-TPMS-PROBLEMS.HTML HTTP://WWW.HONDAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/TPMS/. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10927718
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2016
Electrical System
MY 2014 HONDA CRV IS EXPERIENCING SOME GRINDING NOISE UPON START UP IN THE MORNING OR WHENEVER IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS PARKED. THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT GOES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2014. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS KNOWN ISSUE AND HONDA IS WORKING O…
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MY 2014 HONDA CRV IS EXPERIENCING SOME GRINDING NOISE UPON START UP IN THE MORNING OR WHENEVER IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS PARKED. THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT GOES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2014. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS KNOWN ISSUE AND HONDA IS WORKING ON IT. IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS NOW AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. I'VE HEARD THAT IT COULD THE VTC ACTUATOR. DEALER HAS TO CHECK IT ONCE AGAIN. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED OR RESOLVED PROPERLY. I'M AFRAID IF I KEEP DRIVING IT WITH THIS HONDA KNOWN PROBLEM SOMETHING SERIOUSLY COULD GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #10926607
1,659 miles · Nov 3, 2016
TiresWheels
FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS). THIS SENSOR GIVES FAULTY READING EVEN WHEN TIRES ARE CHECKED AT A MILITARY BASE AUTO SHOP AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. WAS SHOWN HOW TO REMOVE SENSOR LIGHT BY CUSTOMER SERVER AT DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY MILES. LEFT SENSOR LIGHT ON SO DEA…
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FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS). THIS SENSOR GIVES FAULTY READING EVEN WHEN TIRES ARE CHECKED AT A MILITARY BASE AUTO SHOP AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. WAS SHOWN HOW TO REMOVE SENSOR LIGHT BY CUSTOMER SERVER AT DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY MILES. LEFT SENSOR LIGHT ON SO DEALERSHIP WOULD SEE IT BUT HE WOULD NOT CHANGE IT AS IT WAS NOT ON A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM BY OWNERS OF 2014 HONDA CR-V EVERYWHERE AND HONDA IS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GET THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE A TIRE DOES LOSS PRESSURE AND THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10924171
60,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Power Train
FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY THE TRANSMISSION IS RAGGED. EARLIER 2014 CRV HAD RECALL. MINE DID NOT. I HAD SOFTWARE UPDATED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AS RECOMMENDED FOR EARLIER VERSIONS. PROBLEM WENT AWAY. HONDA SHOULD RECALL THE LATER 2014'S AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10920309
30,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Engine
ENGINE RATTLE AT COLD START IN COLD WEATHER VIDEO OF MY ISSUE: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/0O_P8BJPWEQ
NHTSA ODI #10920165
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…
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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
28,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE ON THE LOW OR INTERMITTENT SETTINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE ON THE LOW OR INTERMITTENT SETTINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
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.