NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
45 reportsClear category filter47,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOMEWHEN ALL OF THE "TROUBLE" LIGHTS CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TUNED AROUND AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS SO LOW THAT I BARELY MADE IT THE BLOCK HOME. I PARKED AND CALLED HONDA SERVICE. WHE I FOUND OUT THAT SINCE MY CAR HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT AND HONDA TOWING WOULD COST $160, I HAD T…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOMEWHEN ALL OF THE "TROUBLE" LIGHTS CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TUNED AROUND AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS SO LOW THAT I BARELY MADE IT THE BLOCK HOME. I PARKED AND CALLED HONDA SERVICE. WHE I FOUND OUT THAT SINCE MY CAR HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT AND HONDA TOWING WOULD COST $160, I HAD THE CAR TOWED BY A LOCAL SERVICE FOR $100 TO THE DEALER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (IT HAPPENED ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY), THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE MECHANICS COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BY STARTING THE CAR. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DRIVE IT. THE COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS CORROSION BETWEEN THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS AND THE SENSOR CONNECTOR. THE PARTS TO REPLACE WERE THE CRANK SENSOR CONNECTOR, THE O RING, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS COST $1002.
NHTSA ODI #11003550
31,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT CABIN. HONDA SERVICE RECOMMENDED AND APPLIED THE MOD 1 REPAIR. THIS HAS ONLY MOVED THE VIBRATION AROUND IN THE VEHICLE. NOW THE VIBRATION IS MUCH MORE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE REAR SEAT. A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE VIBRATION HAS NOW SHOWN UP AT SPEEDS AROUND 70 MPH - THOUGH…
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EXCESSIVE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT CABIN. HONDA SERVICE RECOMMENDED AND APPLIED THE MOD 1 REPAIR. THIS HAS ONLY MOVED THE VIBRATION AROUND IN THE VEHICLE. NOW THE VIBRATION IS MUCH MORE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE REAR SEAT. A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE VIBRATION HAS NOW SHOWN UP AT SPEEDS AROUND 70 MPH - THOUGH THIS VIBRATION IS MUCH MORE INTERMITTENT. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 4 MILES ON IT IN JULY OF 2015. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER INITIALLY AND THEY SUGGESTED RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING OR AN ACCESSORY TO MINIMIZE THE PROBLEM. HONDA WAS WORKING ON A FIX. STILL WAITING FOR THE FIX AND ALSO WONDERING WHAT SERIOUS PROBLEMS THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10981067
14,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Air BagsEngineSteering
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING AND TURNING WHILE IN MOTION, BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND COASTING ON ANY STREET OR SPEED. ODOMETER 14,000. DON'T FEEL I HAVE CONTROL OF CAR. WHOLE CAR VIBRATING SINCE PURCHASE. AIRBAG RECALL WAS FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10958330
20,000 miles · Nov 12, 2016
Steering
LOST MY POWER STEERING BECAUSE HONDA WRAPS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRING HARNESS IN SOY BASED MATERIAL WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS TO CHEW. AS I'VE SEEN AND HEARD SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HONDA WOULDN'T COVER THE COST OR ISSUE RECALL. NOT EVEN UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY I WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME I LOST MY …
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LOST MY POWER STEERING BECAUSE HONDA WRAPS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRING HARNESS IN SOY BASED MATERIAL WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS TO CHEW. AS I'VE SEEN AND HEARD SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HONDA WOULDN'T COVER THE COST OR ISSUE RECALL. NOT EVEN UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY I WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME I LOST MY STEERING OR THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE FOR ME OR SOMEONE ELSE IF IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I LOST MY STEERING. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #10925630
16,660 miles · Sep 4, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringVisibility/wiper
THIS CAR HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. I LITERALLY CANNOT KEEP IT RUNNING. HONDA NOW USES SOY BASED WIRING WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY PLUS FARM EQUIPMENT. MOWERS, LAWN MOWERS ETC. THE RODENTS TARGET SPECIFICALLY THE HONDA. HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SUB HARNESS REPLACED TWICE …
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. I LITERALLY CANNOT KEEP IT RUNNING. HONDA NOW USES SOY BASED WIRING WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY PLUS FARM EQUIPMENT. MOWERS, LAWN MOWERS ETC. THE RODENTS TARGET SPECIFICALLY THE HONDA. HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SUB HARNESS REPLACED TWICE LAST FALL AND WINDSHIELD WASHER TANK, AT 3020 MILES, 4434 MILES, 5045 MILES. FIRST TWO REPAIRS WERE SUB HARNESS. IT NOW IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO RODENT DAMAGE AT 16660 MILES, LOSS OF POWER STEERING SUB HARNESS. I HAD A HONDA CR-V 04 BEFORE THIS ONE AND IT DID NOT GET RODENT DAMAGE. THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO HONDA'S SOY BASED WIRING ..... THEY WILL NOT HONOR ANY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AT ALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR ALL BUT LAUGHED IN MY FACE. THE DEALER NOW DOING THE REPAIRS HAS BEEN VERY RESPECTFUL ALTHOUGH HONDA WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ALSO AS SAFETY ISSUE...... THREE TIMES NOW MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. LUCKILY I WAS STILL IN MY YARD AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR SAFELY AND HAVE IT TOWED. I HAVE NOT TRIED TO DRIVE IT ONCE THE STEERING GOES OUT... VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE VEHICLE AND I WOULD THINK VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.... CAR WAS IN REVERSE AND MOTION WHEN POWER STEERING LOSS OCCURRED.....
NHTSA ODI #10903531
22,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016
Steering
I USED MY 2015 HONDA CR-V AWD TOURING TO TOW A TRAILER WITH TWO SCOOTERS LOADED. THE TOURING TRIM HAS THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST SYSTEM (LKAS) WHICH USES A CAMERA TO READ THE ROAD MARKINGS AND WILL BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL IF THE DRIVER IS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE CENTER OR SIDES OF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE…
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I USED MY 2015 HONDA CR-V AWD TOURING TO TOW A TRAILER WITH TWO SCOOTERS LOADED. THE TOURING TRIM HAS THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST SYSTEM (LKAS) WHICH USES A CAMERA TO READ THE ROAD MARKINGS AND WILL BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL IF THE DRIVER IS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE CENTER OR SIDES OF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON A DAY WITH CLEAR WEATHER. WITH LKAS ON, WHEN THE TRAILER WOULD HIT A BUMP THE CRV WOULD OVER-CORRECT THE STEERING BACK AND FORTH CAUSING THE TRAILER TO SWAY AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET UNDER CONTROL. AT 70 MPH, IT WAS DANGEROUS. I HAD TO KEEP THE LKAS TURNED OFF TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SAFE. WITH LKAS OFF, THE TRAILER PULLED GREAT AND NEVER SWAYED. IT SURPRISED ME THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE WOULD BE VASTLY DIFFERENT WITH THE LKAS SAFETY FEATURE ACTIVATED. THE OWNER'S MANUAL HAS NO WARNINGS ABOUT USING THE LKAS WHILE TOWING IN EITHER THE LKAS SECTION OR THE TOWING SECTION. THE CLOSEST APPLICABLE WARNING IS IF THE CAR IS OVERLOADED THE CAMERA MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD MARKINGS. MY TRAILER IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. IT WAS WELL BALANCED SIDE TO SIDE AND FRONT TO BACK. IT WAS NOT OVERLOADING THE HITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING LEVEL. THE TRAILER AND BIKES WEIGH ABOUT 1,100 LBS. THE VEHICLE IS RATED TO TOW 1,500 LBS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TOWED A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. IF THE TRAILER OR HOW IT WAS LOADED WAS TO BLAME, I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO EXPERIENCE CONTROL ISSUES WHETHER THE LKAS WAS ON OR OFF. I ONLY EXPERIENCED ISSUES WHEN LKAS WAS ON. I HAVE CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AND OPENED CASE #04800645.
NHTSA ODI #10882023
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
VIRBRATION. STEERING PULLS LEFT.THE CAR HAS SERIOUS VIBRATION AT IDLE, @600 RPM, 1200 RPM, 1800 RPM AND 2200+ RPM. THIS VIBRATION TRANSMITS THROUGH SEAT, STEERING COLUMN, FLOOR AND PEDALS. BACK PAIN IS INDUCED WITHIN JUST A FEW MILES OF DRIVING. FEET GET PINS AND NEEDLES AND GO NUMB AS WELL AS HANDS AND ARMS FATIGUE QUICKLY. DRI…
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
NHTSA ODI #10836228
11,793 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Steering
UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING, EPS: 1. THE CAR PULLS LEFT UNDER ACCELERATION AND AT SPEED. 2. THE CAR DOES NOT MAINTAIN CENTER/NEUTRAL POSITION OR TRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT EXCESSIVE INTERVENTION. 3. THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY NEEDS UNEXPECTED INTERVENTION THROUGH TURNS AS THE STEERING IS NOT D…
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UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S STEERING, EPS: 1. THE CAR PULLS LEFT UNDER ACCELERATION AND AT SPEED. 2. THE CAR DOES NOT MAINTAIN CENTER/NEUTRAL POSITION OR TRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT EXCESSIVE INTERVENTION. 3. THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY NEEDS UNEXPECTED INTERVENTION THROUGH TURNS AS THE STEERING IS NOT DIRECT OR DOES NOT REFLECT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. 4. THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY REQUIRES MORE INPUT/FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO ONE SIDE VS. ANOTHER. THIS AND THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE VIBRATION AT IDLE EVEN THOUGH TSB 15-046 WAS APPLIED BUT DID NOT FIX VEHICLE VIBRATION.
NHTSA ODI #10825452
11,793 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING TURNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING TURNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,793.
NHTSA ODI #10825439
2,612 miles · Jan 7, 2016
EnginePower TrainSteering
BOUGHT A HONDA CRV-LX 2015 TWO MONTHS AGO ONLY TO HAVE A VIBRATION PROBLEM AFTER THREE WEEKS. HONDAS FIX WAS TO PUT NEW HEAD REST WITH SHORTER POST AND BUSHINGS UNDER RADIATOR, REAR TAIL GATE , TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE SO AS TO MASK VIBRATION PROBLEM. AFTER DOING THIS THE STEERING BECAME HARD NOT LIKE IT WAS WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE…
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BOUGHT A HONDA CRV-LX 2015 TWO MONTHS AGO ONLY TO HAVE A VIBRATION PROBLEM AFTER THREE WEEKS. HONDAS FIX WAS TO PUT NEW HEAD REST WITH SHORTER POST AND BUSHINGS UNDER RADIATOR, REAR TAIL GATE , TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE SO AS TO MASK VIBRATION PROBLEM. AFTER DOING THIS THE STEERING BECAME HARD NOT LIKE IT WAS WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING GOES FROM VERY EASY TO ALMOST MANUAL I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY HONDA OF AMERICA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD. IT VIBRATED AT A STOP VERY BAD THEN IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE STUDDED SNOW TIRES ON AT 40 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR WHICH THEY CLAIM IS A SOFTWARE FIX THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN CALIFORNIA AGAINST HONDA FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #10818610
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.