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2015 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

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

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

491 reports with mileage · 179 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

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

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports4 fire reports18 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

144 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON AN EMBANKMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ACCELERATED OVER A 2 FOOT WALL ONTO A TWO FOOR PATCH OF GRASS AND OVER THE EDGE OF A 3.5 TO 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT ONTO A SIDEWALK AND THEN A CITY STREET. AS I TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT,…

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I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON AN EMBANKMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ACCELERATED OVER A 2 FOOT WALL ONTO A TWO FOOR PATCH OF GRASS AND OVER THE EDGE OF A 3.5 TO 4 FOOT EMBANKMENT ONTO A SIDEWALK AND THEN A CITY STREET. AS I TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT, AWAY FROM THE ROAD, WHILE CONTINUING TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT CAME TO A STOP. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE

NHTSA ODI #10863252

3,400 miles · May 4, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE CAR VIBRATES WHILE SITTING A A STOP SIGN. IT IS VERY OBVIOUS AND ANNOYING.

NHTSA ODI #10862978

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY 2015 HONDA CRV WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN SEP 2015 HAS FRONT END VIBRATION PROBLEMS. FIRST IT IDLED ROUGH WHILE IN GEAR STOPPED AND RPM AT 600. I RETURNED THE CRV TO THE DEALER AND THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED IN OCT 2015. SECOND, MY CRV VIBRATES IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 70 - 80 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEA…

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MY 2015 HONDA CRV WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN SEP 2015 HAS FRONT END VIBRATION PROBLEMS. FIRST IT IDLED ROUGH WHILE IN GEAR STOPPED AND RPM AT 600. I RETURNED THE CRV TO THE DEALER AND THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED IN OCT 2015. SECOND, MY CRV VIBRATES IN THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 70 - 80 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND VIBRATION CONTINUED. ON THE SECOND (NOV 2015( AND THIRD (APR 2016) VISIT, THE DEALER PERFORMED A "ROAD FORCE BALANCE" AND THAT ONLY REDUCED THE VIBRATION ABOUT 50%. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS VIBRATION ISSUE AND THAT THE VIBRATION IS A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THIS VEHICLE AND SIMILAR VEHICLES. HE ALSO STATED EVERY VEHICLE HAS QUIRKS. IN OTHER WORDS, I'M STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS BEFORE PURCHASING THE CRV, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I ONLY HAVE 5200 MILES ON MY CRV.

NHTSA ODI #10861739

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY SHAKES WHEN UPON IDLING OR WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10861042

1,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE 2015 HONDA CR-V HAS AN ISSUE WITH VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED BUT IN GEAR. THE SEATS AND THE FLOOR VIBRATE MORE THAN ANY CAR THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN. IT HAS CAUSED MY WIFE AND I TO GET NAUSEOUS. THIS IS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT THAT A BRAND NEW CAR WOULD SHAKE LIKE AN OLD CLUNKER.

NHTSA ODI #10855652

20,000 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE TPMS TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS GIVING FALSE POSITIVE ALARMS WHEN DOWN IN FLORIDA. THE TEMPERATURES ARE HIGHER BUT WHEN CHECKED THE PRESSURES ARE AS SPECIFIED ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHEN RESET IT IS OK FOR A FEW DAYS....THEN A REPEAT. I BELIEVE THE MONITOR IS TOO SENSITIVE TO PRESSURE INCREASES. IF THE PRESSURE IS RIGH…

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THE TPMS TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS GIVING FALSE POSITIVE ALARMS WHEN DOWN IN FLORIDA. THE TEMPERATURES ARE HIGHER BUT WHEN CHECKED THE PRESSURES ARE AS SPECIFIED ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHEN RESET IT IS OK FOR A FEW DAYS....THEN A REPEAT. I BELIEVE THE MONITOR IS TOO SENSITIVE TO PRESSURE INCREASES. IF THE PRESSURE IS RIGHT ON AT 72-75 DEGREES IT SHOULD BE WELL WITHIN SPECS AT 85. BOTH PARKED IN HOT LOT AND DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10855574

10,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Unknown Or OtherCrash

OUR 2015 HONDA CR-V HAD BEEN SHAKING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR IDLE SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE WASN'T FIXED. APPARENTLY, WE WERE THE FIRST CUSTOMER AT THIS DEALERSHIP TO EXPERIENCE THE SHAKING AND IT WAS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THEY KEPT TELLING US THERE WASN'T AN …

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OUR 2015 HONDA CR-V HAD BEEN SHAKING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR IDLE SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE WASN'T FIXED. APPARENTLY, WE WERE THE FIRST CUSTOMER AT THIS DEALERSHIP TO EXPERIENCE THE SHAKING AND IT WAS PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THEY KEPT TELLING US THERE WASN'T AN ISSUE. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR, WHICH WAS STOPPED, BUT SHAKING, LUNGED FORWARD AND BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MANY YEARS AND I DO NOT TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT UNTIL THE LIGHT CHANGES AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STARTS TO MOVE. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS POSSESSED. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAD TO RUN THE ACCIDENT THROUGH OUR INSURANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN ALMOST $1000 DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR (MOSTLY DUE TO THE LICENSE PLATE IMPRINT ON HIS CAR. I THOUGHT BUMPERS WERE SUPPOSED TO JUST BUMP. DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS A LICENSE PLATE FRAME IN THE WAY.) FORTUNATELY, WE WERE BOTH OKAY, BUT I HOPE THIS GETS RESOLVED SOON SO THAT NO ONE GETS INJURED. I HAD NIGHTMARES THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE LUNGED INTO SOMEONE WALKING THROUGH THE CROSSWALK OR FORCED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO HIT SOMEONE!

NHTSA ODI #10853893

500 miles · Mar 29, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHEN AT A STOP AND IN IDLE THE CAR VIBRATES AS IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH RPM'S TO KEEP IT RUNNING PROPERLY. ALSO VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY OR AT A LOWER RPM. WAITING FOR A RECALL AS HONDA HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COMBINATION.

NHTSA ODI #10852167

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other

VIBRATING WHEN STOP RUNNING AND RPM RISES WHEN GOING DOWN ON A HILL EVEN WHE PUSH THE BRAKES RISES TO 2500 RPM BRAKES OR TIRES SOUND LIKE GRINDING WHEN COMING TO A STOP

NHTSA ODI #10849978

7,120 miles · Mar 13, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED THE 2015 CRV IN FEBRUARY 2016. THE VERY NEXT DAY VEHICLE BEGAN EXTENSIVELY VIBRATING WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WITH THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S DROPPED BELOW 500-600. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENG…

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I PURCHASED THE 2015 CRV IN FEBRUARY 2016. THE VERY NEXT DAY VEHICLE BEGAN EXTENSIVELY VIBRATING WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WITH THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S DROPPED BELOW 500-600. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATS, BUT MORE SO IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL OUT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS I HAVE THE CONSTANT FEAR THAT IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL INSTALLED NEW RADIATOR LOWER CUSHIONS, A NEW TRANSMISSION MOUNT, AND NEW FRONT HEAD RESTRAINTS. THE REPAIRS FAILED TO ELIMINATE THE VIBRATION.AFTER FEW DAYS I AGAIN BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY TOLD ME THAT WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING MORE THAN THIS AND STATE THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY HONDA, BUT IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THEY ARE MERELY BRUSHING IT OFF IN HOPES THAT THE COMPLAINTS WILL STOP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS SAYING THAT CORPORATE PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON IT BUT NO RESULTS I SPENT 25,000 DOLLARS ON THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO RUN GOOD CONDITION

NHTSA ODI #10846360

Official recalls

3

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

17V305000 · Engine

May 4, 2017

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

15V121000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Mar 2, 2015

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems