NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
36 reportsClear category filter12,028 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,028.
NHTSA ODI #10909676
18,000 miles · Aug 6, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash
LAST YEAR WE LEASED A NEW 2015 HONDA CRV EXPECTING THE SAME QUALITY EXPERIENCE OF OUR PREVIOUS CARS. THE VIBRATION ISSUE THAT EVERYONE IS REPORTING WAS NOTICEABLE THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE CAR AND IT IS HORRIBLE, BUT IT IS ALSO THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES AT THE MOMENT. I HAD THE FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF PULLING INTO A PARKING…
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LAST YEAR WE LEASED A NEW 2015 HONDA CRV EXPECTING THE SAME QUALITY EXPERIENCE OF OUR PREVIOUS CARS. THE VIBRATION ISSUE THAT EVERYONE IS REPORTING WAS NOTICEABLE THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE CAR AND IT IS HORRIBLE, BUT IT IS ALSO THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES AT THE MOMENT. I HAD THE FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OF PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW SPEED, BRAKING, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY GOING FORWARD SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I RAN OVER A SIGN AND HIT A COWORKERS CAR WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR (AS I CIRCLED TO THE LEFT). THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND BRAKED AGAIN. HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT. ALMOST A MONTH LATER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME AND HONDA REPORTED THEY ALLEGEDLY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HAD TO ASSUME THEY WERE RIGHT AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING I DID WRONG BECAUSE I HAD NO PROOF OTHERWISE. RELUCTANTLY I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN. WELL THIS PAST WEEK MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN VERY SLOW TRAFFIC ON A BACK ROAD AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH HER FOOT WAS FULLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS TIME SHE HIT THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE LARGE CAR IN FRONT OF HER IN LINE. WE CALLED AMERICAN HONDA AGAIN AND STATED WE DO NOT WANT THIS CAR ANY LONGER. WE WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO TRADE IT FOR ANOTHER MODEL AND YEAR. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT UNLESS WE HAVE "PROOF" THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, THERE IS NOTHING THEY ARE WILLING TO DO. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TO US! WHAT IF THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER IS STOPPED FOR PEDESTRIANS IN A CROSS WALK AND THE CAR LURCHES AHEAD AND HITS AND SERIOUSLY INJURES OR KILLS A PEDESTRIAN?? CURRENTLY FEELING BETRAYED BY THE BRAND THAT WE HAVE STOOD BY FOR YEARS, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REMOVE A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CAR FROM THE STREETS.
NHTSA ODI #10893704
7,200 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WENT ALONE TO KOHLS ON ARIZONA AVE. I WAS ALMOST READY TO PARK AND ALMOST AT A STANDSTILL AND READY TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I REMEMBER PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND IT SEEMED STUCK AND A FEW SECONDS LATER I RECALL A SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AS I ATTEMPTED DESPERATELY TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRA…
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I WENT ALONE TO KOHLS ON ARIZONA AVE. I WAS ALMOST READY TO PARK AND ALMOST AT A STANDSTILL AND READY TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I REMEMBER PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND IT SEEMED STUCK AND A FEW SECONDS LATER I RECALL A SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AS I ATTEMPTED DESPERATELY TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. THE SURGE OF ENERGY SEEMED TO PULL-STEER MY CAR TO THE RIGHT AND IT HIT A PARKED CAR THAT WAS 3 SPOTS TO THE RIGHT AS THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE EMPTY PARKING SPOTS NEXT TO THIS CAR. MY CAR ALMOST WENT SIDEWAYS AND HIT THE CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AREA AND DAMAGED IT PRETTY BADLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DURING THIS ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE OR SOME OTHER OPERATING SYSTEM. I REVIEWED WITH MY INSURANCE CLAIMS AGENT RE: MY CONCERNS RE: A MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR BREAKS OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM; THEY TOOK CARE OF THE CLAIM BUT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY GUIDANCE RE: HOW TO PURSUE MY CONCERNS RE; MALFUNCTION: I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA COMPANY ON JUNE 13TH AND FILED A COMPLAINT RE; THE ACCIDENT TO INFORM MY CONCERNS RE: A MALFUNCTION THAT I FEEL CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. I WAS GIVEN A CASE # 04758407 AND TOLD THAT I WOULD BE ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER WHO WILL CALL ME WITHIN 24HRS. I WAS CALLED BY STEVEN 310/783-2863 ON 6/14 AND LET ME KNOW HE WAS MY CASE MANAGER. IN SPITE OF MANY CALL TO SET UP AN APT TO HAVE MY CAR EVALUATED, I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A CALL BACK TO COORDINATE A TIME TO GET MY CAR EVALUATED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY MALFUNCTION DURING THIS ACCIDENT AND EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED W/O A MALFUNCTION AS THE ACCIDENT IS QUITE BIZARRE. I GOOGLED TO SEE IF HONDA CR-V 2015S HAVE HAD ANY BREAK MALFUNCTIONS'I SAW A REPORT THAT HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MINE IN A PARKING LOT OR NEAR PARKED POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #10888853
300 miles · May 12, 2016
Service Brakes
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AT REST OR WHEN STOPPING. PRESS ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND EITHER PEDAL MOVES ON DOWN OR FOOT SLIPS IN PROXIMITY TO GAS PEDAL, AND CAR WILL START TO MOVE. HAVE NOT REPORTED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT YET, BUT MUST WATCH AND TOLD OTHER DRIVERS TO USE CAUTION AND MAKE SURE FOOT IS ON FAR (LEFT…
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THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AT REST OR WHEN STOPPING. PRESS ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND EITHER PEDAL MOVES ON DOWN OR FOOT SLIPS IN PROXIMITY TO GAS PEDAL, AND CAR WILL START TO MOVE. HAVE NOT REPORTED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT YET, BUT MUST WATCH AND TOLD OTHER DRIVERS TO USE CAUTION AND MAKE SURE FOOT IS ON FAR (LEFT) SIDE OF BRAKE PEDAL WHEN STOPPING OR STOPPED.
NHTSA ODI #10864635
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON AN EMBANKMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ACCELERATED OVER A 2 FOOT WALL ONTO A TWO FOOR PATCH OF GRASS AND OVER THE EDGE OF A 3.5 TO 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT ONTO A SIDEWALK AND THEN A CITY STREET. AS I TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT,…
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I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON AN EMBANKMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ACCELERATED OVER A 2 FOOT WALL ONTO A TWO FOOR PATCH OF GRASS AND OVER THE EDGE OF A 3.5 TO 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT ONTO A SIDEWALK AND THEN A CITY STREET. AS I TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT, AWAY FROM THE ROAD, WHILE CONTINUING TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT CAME TO A STOP. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE
NHTSA ODI #10863252
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other
VIBRATING WHEN STOP RUNNING AND RPM RISES WHEN GOING DOWN ON A HILL EVEN WHE PUSH THE BRAKES RISES TO 2500 RPM BRAKES OR TIRES SOUND LIKE GRINDING WHEN COMING TO A STOP
NHTSA ODI #10849978
3,078 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,078.
NHTSA ODI #10818450
2,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Service BrakesWheels
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING, STREET AND HIGHWAY. ORANGE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES IN DASH WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY WHEN I TAP BRAKE PADDLE. CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF MY "NEW" CAR WAS DAMAGED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT, OF COURSE I WAS TOLD NO. ONCE MY CAR TU…
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THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WOBBLES WHILE DRIVING, STREET AND HIGHWAY. ORANGE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES IN DASH WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY WHEN I TAP BRAKE PADDLE. CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF MY "NEW" CAR WAS DAMAGED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT, OF COURSE I WAS TOLD NO. ONCE MY CAR TURNED OFF AT A RED LIGHT. MY CAR WAS CHECKED AND NOTHING FOUND.
NHTSA ODI #10789270
1,100 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash
CAR WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL DEPT STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAN WAS PUT IN PARK. THEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. THE ENGINE EXCELERATED AND STARTING TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OPPOSITE OUR VEHICLE OUT ITS PARKING SPOT, MY WIFE TRIED STOPPING THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING THAT DID NOT WORK OR DID PUSHING THE IGNITI…
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CAR WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL DEPT STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAN WAS PUT IN PARK. THEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. THE ENGINE EXCELERATED AND STARTING TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OPPOSITE OUR VEHICLE OUT ITS PARKING SPOT, MY WIFE TRIED STOPPING THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING THAT DID NOT WORK OR DID PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON. SHE THEN TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IN DRIVING LANE TOWARD THE STORE, BRAKES , HORN, OR POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK, SHE WAS ABLE THE TURN THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM STORE TO NEXT TURNING LANE. ENGINE STILL RACING, GRINDING SOUNDS CAN WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WENT ANOTHER 300FT. JERK AND FINALLY SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE COLLISION SHOP STARTED IT AND DROVE TO A SPOT TIL THE REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE. I ONLY HAVE A PARTIAL POLICE REPORT FROM TOWN OF AMHERST POLICE RJAMQ94SHD49. THE POLICE ALSO DID AN DEPLOYMENT INSPECTION OF THE COMPUTER, WHICH SHOWED NOTHING, SINCE THE IMPACT TO THE OTHER VECHICLE WAS LESS THAN 10MPH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS LEAVING THIS UP TO ME THE CONSUMER TO GO AFTER HONDA TO GET THEM TO TAKE A FURTHER LOOK AT THE OTHER COMMPUTERS.I DONT HAVE THE FULLPOLICE REPORT OR THE RESULTS OF THE DEPLOYMENT REPORT. I HOPE TO HAVE INFO SOON.
NHTSA ODI #10778635
6,300 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash
IN JAN 2015 I PURCHASED MY FOURTH HONDA SINCE (AND MY SECOND CRV) FOR THE ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY, QUALITY, DURABILITY, AND PEACE OF MIND THAT I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WITH THE BRAND. THAT HOWEVER CHANGED DRAMATICALLY ON JULY 16, 2015 WHEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AT APPROX 5MPH. AS I EASED I…
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IN JAN 2015 I PURCHASED MY FOURTH HONDA SINCE (AND MY SECOND CRV) FOR THE ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY, QUALITY, DURABILITY, AND PEACE OF MIND THAT I HAVE ALWAYS FELT WITH THE BRAND. THAT HOWEVER CHANGED DRAMATICALLY ON JULY 16, 2015 WHEN, AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AT APPROX 5MPH. AS I EASED INTO THE PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. IT WAS WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE ENTIRE CAR WENT UP ONTO THE CURB AND INTO THE BUSHES BEYOND. I COULD NOT STOP MY CAR! BEYOND THESE BUSHES WAS A MAIN ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. INTUITIVELY, I SLAMMED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH ULTIMATELY STOPPED THE CAR. MY CAR WAS SO ENTANGLED IN THE BUSHES THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED OUT. ON JULY 21, THE HONDA DEALER SCANNED ALL SYSTEMS FOR DTCS, TESTED BRAKES, AND CHECKED THROTTLE PEDAL OPERATION AND FOUND AT THIS TIME THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THROTTLE SYSTEM AND SAFETY OVERRIDE SYSTEMS ARE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT IS APPARENT THAT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED ISSUE. I CONTACTED HONDA CORP ON JULY 21 AND WAS ASSIGNED A REGIONAL CASE MGR WHO INFORMED ME THAT SHE WOULD SCHEDULE AN AMERICAN HONDA REP TO INSPECT MY CAR. TO DATE, I STILL AWAIT FOLLOW UP ACTION FROM MY CASE MGR. THIS EVENT HAS CAUSED, AND CONTINUES TO CAUSE, GREAT ANXIETY AND STRESS FOR ME. I USE THIS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE DAILY AND AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED THAT THIS MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ABERRATION WILL REPEAT ITSELF, AND WITH A LESS FORTUNATE OUTCOME.
NHTSA ODI #10748484
Official recalls
3Dec 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.
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.
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
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.