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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

670 reports
51,000 miles · Oct 4, 2018
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE ISSUES WHEN IDLING. AFTER 3 YEARS, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD A BAD DIODE. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER GETTING STUCK AND THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR WAS ONLY CHARGING THE BATTERY …

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THE VEHICLE ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE ISSUES WHEN IDLING. AFTER 3 YEARS, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD A BAD DIODE. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER GETTING STUCK AND THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR WAS ONLY CHARGING THE BATTERY 84%. IN ADDITION, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES USED BY HONDA AND SOME OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS PER ONLINE BLOGS. TO BE HONEST, MY VEHICLE IS 38 MONTHS OLD AND HAS APPROX 51K MILES, MAKING IT OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WOULD ALSO BE FAIR TO SAY THAT AFTER HAVING WORK DONE AT THE DEALER THROUGH OUT THE YEARS THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE SHON UP OR BEEN ADDRESSED SOONER. IT IS ALSO OF MY OPINION THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11133397

47,000 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Power TrainService Brakes

I JUST BOUGHT A 2015 HONDA CR-V 4 DAYS AGO. I WAS SO HAPPY TO GET SOMETHING NEWER AND TO BE RID OF MY OTHER PROBLEM CAR. SINCE HAVING THIS CAR IT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN VIBRATING WHEN IDLE AND PUSHING DOWN THE BREAK PEDAL WHILE IN DRIVE LIKE SITTING AT A LIGHT ETC. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT'S IT'S NORMAL BUT IT DEFINITELY IS NOT …

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I JUST BOUGHT A 2015 HONDA CR-V 4 DAYS AGO. I WAS SO HAPPY TO GET SOMETHING NEWER AND TO BE RID OF MY OTHER PROBLEM CAR. SINCE HAVING THIS CAR IT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN VIBRATING WHEN IDLE AND PUSHING DOWN THE BREAK PEDAL WHILE IN DRIVE LIKE SITTING AT A LIGHT ETC. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT'S IT'S NORMAL BUT IT DEFINITELY IS NOT NORMAL AND UNBELIEVABLY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DISTRACTING WHILE TRYING TO FOCUS ON DRIVING. IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT ANYONE IN THE CAR ALSO COMMENTS AND THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A NEWER CAR THAT I WAS HAPPY ABOUT AND PROUD OF. I HAVE SINCE SEEN REVIEWS ONLINE OF SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND VERY SCARY THAT HONDA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN A FEW YEARS. WHAT A HORRIBLE COMPANY TO NOT FIX AN OBVIOUS ISSUE THAT THEY'VE EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED AND TO JUST LET CUSTOMERS LIVE WITH SOMETHING MESSED UP. HONDA BETTER STEP UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE FOR THOSE AFFECTED INSTEAD OF BEING COWARDS AND AVOIDING IT! WHETHER IT'S A RECALL OR WHATEVER, IT IS WAY PAST DUE FOR CUSTOMERS WITH THESE VEHICLES TO BE HAPPY AND LISTENED TOO! ROBIN

NHTSA ODI #11133203

21,236 miles · Sep 27, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE INTERMITTENTLY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDRICK HONDA EASLEY (4609 CALHOUN MEMORIAL HWY, EASLEY, SC 29640, 864-236-4187), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE INTERMITTENTLY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENDRICK HONDA EASLEY (4609 CALHOUN MEMORIAL HWY, EASLEY, SC 29640, 864-236-4187), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,236. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR IS BEING CURRENTLY LOOKED AT BY BREAKAWAY HONDA AND CANNOT FIURE OUT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/30/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11131944

21,050 miles · Sep 22, 2018
Service Brakes

OUTER REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY, 1ST SET WORE OUT AT 15K MILES, REPLACED BY DEALER AND NOT COVERED. 2ND SET LASTED 5K MILES, ALSO NOT COVERED, DAMAGED ROTORS. NOW BEING TOLD CAR NEEDS TO GO BACK TO DEALER EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES FOR BRAKES TO BE INSPECTED

NHTSA ODI #11130797

35,000 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES AND CUTS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S HOLDING LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11129896

47,000 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Power Train

WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT INTERSECTION ON BUSY CITY STREET, CAR IDLE IN DRIVE GEAR, TERRIBLE VIBRATIONS SHOOK THE WHOLE CAR BEFORE ENGINE SHUT OFF. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON OR SHIFT TO PARK UNTIL PLACED IN ACCESSORY MODE. PARK. ENGINE AND ACCESSORY MODE OFF THEN NORMAL STARTING PROCEDURE TO GET CAR RUNNING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11127983

37,800 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Electrical System

IF YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN ACCESSORY MODE OR ON BATTERY WITHOUT TURNING THE ENGINE ON THE BATTERY WILL DIE.

NHTSA ODI #11122894

34,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Engine

WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY IN "DRIVE" GEAR HARSH ENGINE VIBRATION "ROUGH IDLE" OCCURS

NHTSA ODI #11118877

38,200 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED THIS USED 2015 HONDA CRV ON JULY 28, 2018, WITH ONLY 38K MILES. NOTICED SOME VIBRATION, VERY BAD ESPECIALLY WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS AFTER TWO DAYS. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOUR DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB FOR 2015 HONDA CRV'S, TSB 15-046. WASN'T TOLD THIS BEFORE THE PURCHASE. SCHEDULED AN APPOINT…

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PURCHASED THIS USED 2015 HONDA CRV ON JULY 28, 2018, WITH ONLY 38K MILES. NOTICED SOME VIBRATION, VERY BAD ESPECIALLY WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS AFTER TWO DAYS. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOUR DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB FOR 2015 HONDA CRV'S, TSB 15-046. WASN'T TOLD THIS BEFORE THE PURCHASE. SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR CHECK UP. WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG, IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS. WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $1100. WAS TOLD THAT IS NOT A GUARANTEED FIX.DID ONLINE RESEARCH. FIGURED OUT MANY 2015 HONDA CRV OWNERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE. ONE OF THE LINKS IS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.HONDAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/CRV-VIBRATION/ I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS ARE STUCK WITH A CAR THAT VIBRATES LIKE CRAZY AND DRIVES YOU NUTS AND MAKES YOU FEEL SICK. I CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION ON MY EARS. ANGER AND RAGE IS THE LAST THING ONE NEEDS WHILE DRIVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. NOT SPENDING $1100 FOR AN UNGUARANTEED FIX ON A NEWLY BOUGHT CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THIS TSB 15-046 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11115554

31,858 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TPMS LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WITH TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL. DEALERSHIP SAYS TIRES ARE FINE AND THAT I MUST BE CHECKING THE TIRES WHILE HOT AND PRESSURE WILL READ HIGHER. HONDA DID A TSB#14-006 FOR THE 2014 HONDA CR-V BUT NOTHING FOR THE 2015.

NHTSA ODI #11113099

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