NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
144 reportsClear category filter5,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Power TrainStructureUnknown Or Other
VIBRATION FELT AT 20-25 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND BY SOUND WITH THE VIBRATION BECOMING STRONGER AS THE MILEAGE INCREASES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIP CONCERNING A REFUND HAVE NOT BEEN FRUITFUL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY RESULT IN A CRASH; BUT HONDA IS VERY SLOW TO RESOLVE THE I…
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VIBRATION FELT AT 20-25 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND BY SOUND WITH THE VIBRATION BECOMING STRONGER AS THE MILEAGE INCREASES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIP CONCERNING A REFUND HAVE NOT BEEN FRUITFUL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY RESULT IN A CRASH; BUT HONDA IS VERY SLOW TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10787261
65 miles · Oct 25, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THERE'S ANNOYING VIBRATION ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN I STOPPED IN A RED LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY IN VERY NICE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH . MY 24 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AT THE BACK SEAT TELLING ME THAT THE CAR IS SO BOUNCY AND ASKED ME IF IT NEEDS TIRE ROTATION. I'M SO WORRIED AND MAD THAT DON'T HAVE A TIME TO BRING THIS BACK TO THE DEA…
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THERE'S ANNOYING VIBRATION ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN I STOPPED IN A RED LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY IN VERY NICE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH . MY 24 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AT THE BACK SEAT TELLING ME THAT THE CAR IS SO BOUNCY AND ASKED ME IF IT NEEDS TIRE ROTATION. I'M SO WORRIED AND MAD THAT DON'T HAVE A TIME TO BRING THIS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH ANOTHER PROBLEM SINCE I BROUGHT IT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING IN 65 MPH 2 WEEKS AGO. CAN I GET MY $ 34,000 .00 PLUS BACK? PLEASE HELP ME !!!
NHTSA ODI #10785858
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A 2015 CR-V. ON OCTOBER 1ST NOTICING SIGNIFICANT VIBRATIONS AT IDLE WHICH BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED UNDER WAY ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MILES / HOUR. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE, TO THE DEALER, ON OCTOBER 3RD TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION MIGHT BE. THE VIBRATIONS WERE CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC DURING A TEST DR…
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I PURCHASED A 2015 CR-V. ON OCTOBER 1ST NOTICING SIGNIFICANT VIBRATIONS AT IDLE WHICH BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED UNDER WAY ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MILES / HOUR. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE, TO THE DEALER, ON OCTOBER 3RD TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION MIGHT BE. THE VIBRATIONS WERE CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC DURING A TEST DRIVE. THE FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE WERE CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECS. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS FOUND INSTRUCTING THE MECHANIC TO PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPDATE. A SECOND TEST DRIVE SHOWED NO IMPROVEMENT. HONDA TECHNICIANS WERE CALLED WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THAT HONDA WAS WORKING ON IT (APPARENTLY SINCE 2014). THE TECHNICIANS INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS THOUGHT TO BE RELATED TO "HARMONIC DISTORTIONS" ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN, FOUND IN THE HONDA ACCORD, IN THE 2015 CR-V. THE HONDA TECHNICIANS OFFERED ASSURANCES THAT THERE WERE NO SAFETY ISSUES. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHO CHECKED THE SAME MECHANICAL PARAMETERS INCLUDING THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE MATTER HAS BEEN FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGED, BY HONDA, AS EVIDENCED IN A YOUTUBE VIDEO (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VEJ45WX9YCI). A CURSORY SEARCH OF THE WEB SHOWS QUITE A NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THE ISSUE. APART FROM THE EFFECT ON DRIVEABILITY AND NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT, MY CONCERNS ARE THE POTENTIAL LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE DRIVE TRAIN AND OTHER POSSIBLE SAFETY RELATED EFFECTS.
NHTSA ODI #10785077
10 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE CAR HAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION ISSUE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN DRIVE. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT ON THE INSIDE THROUGHOUT THE CAR. HAVING TO PLACE CAR IN N, AT STOPLIGHTS (MANY ARE NOW DOING IT, AND SOME HONDA DEALERS ARE ADVOCATING IT ! THEY ALSO SUGGEST TURNING THE AC ON HI…
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THE CAR HAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION ISSUE WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN DRIVE. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT ON THE INSIDE THROUGHOUT THE CAR. HAVING TO PLACE CAR IN N, AT STOPLIGHTS (MANY ARE NOW DOING IT, AND SOME HONDA DEALERS ARE ADVOCATING IT ! THEY ALSO SUGGEST TURNING THE AC ON HIGH, TURN THE LIGHTS AND RADIO ON, ETC.) ALL OF THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING. IF ONE FORGETS TO PUT THE CAR INTO D IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE, HE COULD GET REAR ENDED, OR GET STRANDED UNDER A LIGHT; DRIVING IN S, HOWEVER, ONE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL DOING THIS IN TRAFFIC, AS THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY QUICKLY, AND IT TENDS TO LUNGE A BIT ! IN THIS INSTANCE, IT IS VERY EASY TO REAR-END A CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. IN ADDITION, DRIVING IN S CUTS FUEL ECONOMY (I HAVE LEARNED ) ABOUT 25-30%. WHERE DID I LEARN TO TRY S INSTEAD OF D ? A HONDA DEALER !! SO, THIS IDEA THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN IS NOT TRUE FOR ALL DRIVERS WHO ARE TRYING TO REDUCE THE FATIGUING, ANNOYING EFFECTS OF THESE VIBES, SHUDDERS, AND SHAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10785075
5,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Unknown Or Other
MY NEW 2015 HONDA CRV IS VIBRATING WHEN STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. VIBRATION IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND NAUSEATING. THE VIBRATION GET WORST EVERYDAY. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10783265
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS CR-V'S AND HONDA IS KNOWN AS SMOOTH, QUIET VEHICLES. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR IN LATE MARCH, I HAVE HAD VIBRATION NOISES WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER TWICE, AND DURING THE LAST VISIT IN MID-AUGUST, I WAS TOLD THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T COME UP WI…
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I HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS CR-V'S AND HONDA IS KNOWN AS SMOOTH, QUIET VEHICLES. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR IN LATE MARCH, I HAVE HAD VIBRATION NOISES WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER TWICE, AND DURING THE LAST VISIT IN MID-AUGUST, I WAS TOLD THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO FIX IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, HEARING THIS NOISE EVERY TIME I DRIVE, DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A HAPPY HONDA OWNER, AND HAVING REMORSE ON TRADING IN MY 2012 CRV FOR THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10781849
8,000 miles · Oct 12, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE TRUCK VIBRATES ALOT WHEN IT COMES TO A STOP,AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10781473
1,400 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Unknown Or Other
BOUGHT THE CRV 2015 A MONTH AGO, STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION WHEN IDLE, AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WHEN PARKED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL, THEY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HONDA NOT HAVING A SOLUTION FOR IT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE C…
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BOUGHT THE CRV 2015 A MONTH AGO, STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION WHEN IDLE, AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WHEN PARKED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT'S NORMAL, THEY DON'T SEE A PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HONDA NOT HAVING A SOLUTION FOR IT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. NO HELP AT THE DEALER, TREATED ME AS IF I WAS CRAZY.
NHTSA ODI #10781427
7 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Unknown Or Other
VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM AND SEATBACK) BOTH WHEN STOPPED AND WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IS STOPPED. WE HAVE CONCERNS OVER THE SAFE CONTROL OF THE CAR, GIVEN THIS VIBRATION. IN ADDITION, THE REAL ANNOYANCE OF THE VIBR…
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VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM AND SEATBACK) BOTH WHEN STOPPED AND WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IS STOPPED. WE HAVE CONCERNS OVER THE SAFE CONTROL OF THE CAR, GIVEN THIS VIBRATION. IN ADDITION, THE REAL ANNOYANCE OF THE VIBRATION MEANS WE TAKE OUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, EXASCERBATING SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS CONDITION WAS THERE WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME AND HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY SERVICE CONSULTANT AT CURRY HONDA, ATLANTA.
NHTSA ODI #10781400
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.