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2015 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Honda CR-V do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 400.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

491 reports with mileage · 179 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 243 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports4 fire reports18 injury reports

Seats complaints

39 reports
Clear category filter
30,100 miles · May 20, 2022
SeatsSteeringStructure

The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was either idle or while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel, seats, and dashboard all would sporadically start to vibrate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who advised him that they did not r…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while the vehicle was either idle or while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel, seats, and dashboard all would sporadically start to vibrate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who advised him that they did not recognize the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while conducting his own research, he found there were many complaints about what he was experiencing with his vehicle. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and advised that he contact the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,100.

NHTSA ODI #11465522

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2021
Seats

Heated seats are ALWAYS ON

NHTSA ODI #11427078

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2020
EngineSeats

IN EVERY STATEMENT/COMPLAINT AT THE SERVICE CENTER, I ALWAYS STATED THAT THE FRONT SEATS VIBRATE WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON AND IN GEAR. AFTER REVIEWING SB 15-046, THE INITIAL REPAIR IN 2016 WAS FOR DRIVING MODE 1. ON THE SECOND REPAIR IN 2017, THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DRIVING MODE 2 REPAIR WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME VIA PHONE OR IN PERSON…

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IN EVERY STATEMENT/COMPLAINT AT THE SERVICE CENTER, I ALWAYS STATED THAT THE FRONT SEATS VIBRATE WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON AND IN GEAR. AFTER REVIEWING SB 15-046, THE INITIAL REPAIR IN 2016 WAS FOR DRIVING MODE 1. ON THE SECOND REPAIR IN 2017, THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DRIVING MODE 2 REPAIR WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME VIA PHONE OR IN PERSON ABOUT THE REPAIR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SB 15-046. SB 15-046 STATES, FOR DRIVING MODE 2 UPDATE NOTES: -YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAS REVIEWED THE CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR DRIVING MODE 2 WITH THE CUSTOMER BEFORE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IS PERFORMED. -VERIFY THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAS NOTED ON THE CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT THAT HE OR SHE HAS REVIEWED THE CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR DRIVING MODE 2 WITH THE CUSTOMER. -THE NOTED CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT MUST BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE RECORDS AND ATTACHED TO THE REPAIR ORDER BEFORE DOING THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, AS THIS SOFTWARE MAY HAVE A SMALL IMPACT ON FUEL ECONOMY. ALL OF THE NOTES ON THE SB 15-046 WERE SKIPPED WHEN HONDA OF SERRAMONTE WAS REPAIRING MY CAR. IN THE DIAGNOSIS SECTION ON PAGE 6 OF SB 15-046. 'YOU MUST ONLY PERFORM THE REPAIR BASED ON CUSTOMER CONCERNS.' EVERYTHING PERFORMED ON THE CAR OR COMMENTS FROM THE TECHNICIAN IS RECORD IN THE SERVICE INVOICE. TO THIS DAY, I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE DRIVING MODE 2 UPDATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SB 15-046. NOR, DID I SIGN THE CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT BECAUSE THE SERVICE INVOICE FROM JUL. 1, 2017 DOES NOT MENTION ANY CUSTOMER INFORMATION STATEMENT FROM SB 15-046.

NHTSA ODI #11375074

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2020
EnginePower TrainSeats

2015 HONDA CRV FRONT SEAT VIBRATES. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIXED IN ACCORDANCE TO TSB 15-046. THE VIBRATIONS IS STILL APPARENT AFTER 20K MILES LATER. WHEN MY CRV IS STOPPED WITH VEHICLE IN GEAR (AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT). I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN A MARKING THE ISSUE AS NORMAL VIBRATIONS. THIS IS JUST AN…

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2015 HONDA CRV FRONT SEAT VIBRATES. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIXED IN ACCORDANCE TO TSB 15-046. THE VIBRATIONS IS STILL APPARENT AFTER 20K MILES LATER. WHEN MY CRV IS STOPPED WITH VEHICLE IN GEAR (AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT). I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN A MARKING THE ISSUE AS NORMAL VIBRATIONS. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR HONDA NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR ENGINEERING. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VIBRATIONS WILL EVENTUALLY LOOSEN UP THE SEAT BOLTS. THERE ARE A FEW VIDEOS OF 2015 HONDA CRV FRONT SEAT VIBRATIONS ON YOUTUBE.

NHTSA ODI #11299144

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2017
Seats

CR-V LX 3.2L CVT TRANSMISSION14,000 MILES I SWITCHED FROM A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 TO A 2015 HONDA CR-V, NEVER CONSIDERING THAT I'D DEEPLY REGRET THE DECISION AND BE PINING FOR MY OLD RAV SEATS, WHICH WERE QUITE COMFORTABLE. SADLY, I DIDN'T DISCOVER THE PROBLEM WITH THESE INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS UNTIL I'D ALREADY PURCHASE…

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CR-V LX 3.2L CVT TRANSMISSION14,000 MILES I SWITCHED FROM A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 TO A 2015 HONDA CR-V, NEVER CONSIDERING THAT I'D DEEPLY REGRET THE DECISION AND BE PINING FOR MY OLD RAV SEATS, WHICH WERE QUITE COMFORTABLE. SADLY, I DIDN'T DISCOVER THE PROBLEM WITH THESE INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS UNTIL I'D ALREADY PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. NOW I SUSPECT THAT THE LOW MILEAGE HAD TO DO WITH THE UNCOMFORTABLE SEATS. THERE IS ZERO LUMBAR SUPPORT OR MEANINGFUL ADJUSTMENT ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SO IT'S TRULY LIKE SITTING IN A TORTURE DEVICE. AFTER 15-20 MINS OF DRIVING MY LOWER BACK STARTS TO SCREAM, MY BUTT GOES NUMB AND I EXPERIENCE TINGLING AND NUMBNESS IN MY LEG. AFTER 30-60 MINUTES OF DRIVING DEVELOP A SHARP PAIN IN MY THORACIC REGION. I'VE ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS WORK-AROUNDS IN ORDER TO MAKE A 13-HOUR CAR DRIVE, WHICH I WAS DREADING BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING WITH THE SEATS--JUST DRIVING AROUND TOWN. THE THOUGHT OF FACING AN ENTIRE DAY IN THE HONDA SEEMED LIKE A TORMENT. I PUT A FULL-SEAT PAD OF FOAM UNDER A SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVER. RESULT: SOFTER BUT STILL CAUSING BACK PAIN. THEN, I PUT A MEMORY-FOAM SEAT ON TOP OF THE SHEEPSKIN COVER AND INSERTED A SMALL INFLATABLE LUMBAR SUPPORT FROM RELAX THE BACK UNDER MY LUMBAR AREA. WITH ENOUGH TWEAKING OF THIS ARRANGEMENT, I'M ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT TOO MUCH MISERY, BUT I'M FURIOUS THAT I'VE HAD TO DO THIS MUCH JERRY-RIGGING ON A $30K CAR. FROM ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I'VE DISCOVERED, ONLINE, ONE WOULD THINK THAT HONDA WOULD HAVE THE GOOD SENSE AND COMMON DECENCY TO CORRECT THE MYRIAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SEATS, BUT APPARENTLY THEY'RE CONTENT TO HAVE US OWNERS ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD, WRITHING IN PAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11006448

10,254 miles · Jul 14, 2017
EngineSeatsSuspension

I HAVE BROUGHT CAR BACK 4 TIMES FOR THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. LAST VISIT THE SHOP FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM BULLETIN 15-046. CAR STILL SHAKES WHEN IDLING

NHTSA ODI #11005398

400 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Seats

AFTER 3 TIMES GOING TO DEALER FOR SERVICE WITH TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 15'046, MY CAR STILL VIBRATES STRONGLY FOR ALL SEATS, WHICH CERTAINLY CAUSES DISTRACTING, HEADACHES AND QUEASINESS.

NHTSA ODI #10980813

10 miles · Feb 24, 2017
EngineSeatsVisibility/wiper

SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN I AM AT A STOP AND FOOT ON BRAKE OR JUST ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION OF THE FRONT SEAT WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN IT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN I AM AT A STOP BUT IT CONTINUES EVEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO …

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SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN I AM AT A STOP AND FOOT ON BRAKE OR JUST ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION OF THE FRONT SEAT WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN IT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN I AM AT A STOP BUT IT CONTINUES EVEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REACH OVER AND HOLD ON TO THE SEAT TO GET RIDE OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. WINDOWS AND REAR WINDOW SEEM TO HAVE A FOG OR CLOUDINESS IN THEM NO MATTER THE STATE OF THE DEFROST, WEATHER OR HOW MUCH I CLEAN THEM. NO CLEAR VISION OUT THE WINDOW. HAVE SEEN THE SAME ISSUE IN HONDA ODYSSEY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10956689

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2017
EnginePower TrainSeats

AT A STOP OR RED LIGHT CAR VIBRATES CRAZY. AS SOON AS I ACCELERATE FROM 0-40 THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATES SOUNDING LIKE UR GOING OVER A METAL BRIDGE. I LET GO OFF THE GAS PETAL THE VIBRATION STOP I ACCELERATE HAPPENS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10954010

20,000 miles · Aug 23, 2016
EnginePower TrainSeats

MY CAR VIBRATES HORRIBLY AT REST WHILE IN GEAR AT A STOP LIGHT, SHAKES SO BAD I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. SOMETHING RATTLES UNDER MY TAIL GATE, I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THEY SAID ITS A PARTIAL RECALL THAT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. WHEN I BACK UP AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, MY TRANSMISSION GARGLES AND MY CAR SHAKES BEFORE IT GOES. IT CONSTANTL…

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MY CAR VIBRATES HORRIBLY AT REST WHILE IN GEAR AT A STOP LIGHT, SHAKES SO BAD I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. SOMETHING RATTLES UNDER MY TAIL GATE, I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THEY SAID ITS A PARTIAL RECALL THAT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. WHEN I BACK UP AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, MY TRANSMISSION GARGLES AND MY CAR SHAKES BEFORE IT GOES. IT CONSTANTLY SHAKES ON THE HIGHWAY, IVE HAD IT REALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED TWICE IN 3 MONTHS. THIS CAR IS AWFUL.

NHTSA ODI #10897874

Official recalls

3

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.

17V305000 · Engine

May 4, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6.

15V121000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Mar 2, 2015

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JP2 (for Accord models) and JP3 (for CR-V models).

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