NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
45 reportsClear category filter10,600 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Air BagsSteering
VEHICLE PURCHASED IN FEB 2015. HONDA CRV - EX. CURRENT MILES - 11K PURCHASED DEALER - OCEAN HONDA, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL SERVICING DEALER - HENDRICK HONDA, BRADENTON, FL THERE WAS A RATCHETING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED CONSTANTLY DURING DRIVING & MAKING TURNS. HENDRICK H…
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VEHICLE PURCHASED IN FEB 2015. HONDA CRV - EX. CURRENT MILES - 11K PURCHASED DEALER - OCEAN HONDA, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL SERVICING DEALER - HENDRICK HONDA, BRADENTON, FL THERE WAS A RATCHETING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED CONSTANTLY DURING DRIVING & MAKING TURNS. HENDRICK HONDA IN BRADENTON FL, TESTED IT ON 10/6/15 AND MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL SENSOR THAT IS CAUSING THIS NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED IT, BUT MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS FAILED. I TOOK IT BACK IN THE NEXT DAY ON 10/7/15 AND THEY FIXED THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. THE RATCHETING NOISE CAME BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THEY DIDN'T DIVE DEEPER LAST TIME AND THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ON 10/26/15. THE NOISE WENT AWAY, BUT ANOTHER PROBLEM SURFACED ON 11/14/15. THIS TIME IT WAS THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT THAT CONSTANTLY REMAIN LIT. THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THIS CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY. SO, MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/16. EVEN THE SERVICE ADVISORS ARE STUMPED AND SAY THAT THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A BRAND NEW 2015 HONDA WITH 11K MILES TO HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA TODAY AND HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT STATING THAT THE ISSUES ARISING ARE THREATENING MY SAFETY AS A DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HONDA SOLD ME A CAR WITH SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING.
NHTSA ODI #10790635
600 miles · Nov 4, 2015
EngineSteeringStructure
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2015 HONDA CR-V EX FWD A MONTH AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LITTLE OVER 600 MILES, I STARTED FEELING A SEVERE VIBRATION INTERMITTENTLY AT IDLE IN DRIVE MODE WHEN I STOP AT STOP SIGNS. THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY INCREASED NOW WHEN IT IS ABOUT 1000 MILES. JUST TO CHECK ITS SEVERITY I PLACED AN EMPTY PLASTIC BAG O…
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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2015 HONDA CR-V EX FWD A MONTH AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LITTLE OVER 600 MILES, I STARTED FEELING A SEVERE VIBRATION INTERMITTENTLY AT IDLE IN DRIVE MODE WHEN I STOP AT STOP SIGNS. THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY INCREASED NOW WHEN IT IS ABOUT 1000 MILES. JUST TO CHECK ITS SEVERITY I PLACED AN EMPTY PLASTIC BAG ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND I COULD HERE THE NOISE MADE BY THE BAG DUE TO VIBRATION. IT WAS AS IF LIKE MASSAGING ON MY BACK AND BACK OF HEAD. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CHECKED AND TOLD ME THAT ITS A KNOW ISSUE WITH ALL 2015 MODELS AND NO FIX HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA ALSO AS PER THEIR SUGGESTION AND THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE BUT SAID NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY BODY THAT ACTUALLY REGULATES AUTO MAKERS TO NOT SELL VEHICLES HAVING ISSUES. IF THERE IS A KNOW ISSUE LIKE THIS HOW CAN THEY KEEP SELLING THE VEHICLES WITH ISSUES AND HOW DOES HONDA SALES PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE? ITS ALMOST END OF 2015 AND WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DEVELOP A FIX?
NHTSA ODI #10788424
7,000 miles · Oct 31, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
THE SENSOR TO CORRECT THE STEERING ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE DEALER IS ACTING AS IF IT IS WORKING PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH THEIR TECH AND SALESMAN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENED. WHEN I HAD MY 2007, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VOLUME BUTTON CHANGING THE RADIO STATION AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I LIV…
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THE SENSOR TO CORRECT THE STEERING ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. THE DEALER IS ACTING AS IF IT IS WORKING PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH THEIR TECH AND SALESMAN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENED. WHEN I HAD MY 2007, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VOLUME BUTTON CHANGING THE RADIO STATION AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I LIVED WITH IT FOR 8 YEARS AND JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10787462
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2015
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT 2015 HONDA CR-V EX JUST 4 WEEK AGO, IT HAS A HUGE VIBRATION THAT YOU CAN FEEL AND SEE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS STOP AND IN IDLE MODE OR DRIVE SHIFT. VIBRATION CAN FEEL IN THE SEATING, STEERING WHEEL, SIDE DOORS, BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS, SHIFT KNOB AND EVEN THE BACK PASSAGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY FAMI…
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I BOUGHT 2015 HONDA CR-V EX JUST 4 WEEK AGO, IT HAS A HUGE VIBRATION THAT YOU CAN FEEL AND SEE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS STOP AND IN IDLE MODE OR DRIVE SHIFT. VIBRATION CAN FEEL IN THE SEATING, STEERING WHEEL, SIDE DOORS, BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS, SHIFT KNOB AND EVEN THE BACK PASSAGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY FAMILY TO ENJOY THEIR DAILY RIDES BUT THEIR NOT, AND KEEP ASKING ME WHY HAS IT. PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY MY DRIVING CONCENTRATION ARE ALWAYS AFFECTED, AND THAT IS UNSAFE FOR OUR EVERYDAY DRIVING AND TO ANYONE WHO HAS THIS ISSUE. I ALWAYS FEEL SICK EVERY TIMES I GET OUT OF THIS CAR, I FEEL MY HAND LIKE I USE A JACK HAMMER AFTER A WHILE. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THERE ARE THREE ISSUES THAT CAUSE THE VIBRATION AND THERE IS NO FIX YET ABOUT THE ISSUE. I LOVE HONDA EVERSINCE, IT MY FAVORITE BRAND. I HOPE THEY CAN DO SOMETHING TO FIX IT FAST BEFORE ANY CAN GET HURT..
NHTSA ODI #10785574
2,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #10780589
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
11,800 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCE AND PERFORMED ALL NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCE AND PERFORMED ALL NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE DISCLOSED TO THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF A DESIGN ERROR, WITH NO KNOWN REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,800.
NHTSA ODI #10758917
15 miles · Jul 12, 2015
EngineSeatsSteering
I BOUGHT A HONDA CRV 2015 EX-L. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ONE DAY EXPERIENCED SERIOUS VIBRATIONS IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN MORE INTENSE WHEN IDLING. I NOTICED AN ANNOYING VIBRATION UPON SMOOTH ACCELERATION, BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM. I HAD NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON THE DEMO I TEST DROVE, I FEEL THAT I PAY…
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I BOUGHT A HONDA CRV 2015 EX-L. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ONE DAY EXPERIENCED SERIOUS VIBRATIONS IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN MORE INTENSE WHEN IDLING. I NOTICED AN ANNOYING VIBRATION UPON SMOOTH ACCELERATION, BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500 RPM. I HAD NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ON THE DEMO I TEST DROVE, I FEEL THAT I PAY 30000 DOLLAR FOR VIBRATIG CHAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10733473
300 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. UPDATED 09/02/15*LJ UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10730984
141 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Power TrainSteeringStructure
2015 HONDA CR-V VIBRATES AT IDLE WHILE IN GEAR JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE'S. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED EXTREMELY LOUD ENGINE NOISE FOR A NEW CAR WHILE AT IDLE IN GEAR OR IN PARK AS WELL. NOISE AND VIBRATION BEGUN AT ABOUT 141 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10723098
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.