← New search

2007 Infiniti FX35

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Infiniti FX35 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all FX35 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 15 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

37 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2022
Unknown Or Other

firstly, WHY, would a vehicles doors need to be opened while going down the road? WHY, should I have to apply the child lock to the door to ensure that my passengers do not open them? Does the passenger door have a child lock? shouldn't the doors stay locked while the vehicle is operating? please offer me some type of explanatio…

Read full complaint

firstly, WHY, would a vehicles doors need to be opened while going down the road? WHY, should I have to apply the child lock to the door to ensure that my passengers do not open them? Does the passenger door have a child lock? shouldn't the doors stay locked while the vehicle is operating? please offer me some type of explanation as to why the doors have to have the ability to be unlocked and opened by any passenger

NHTSA ODI #11472221

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

I recently bought a 2007 Infiniti FX35 and the dashboard is completely melted away. It's sticky and there are cracks from the driver side to the passenger side. This is dangerous as it can cause the airbag to deploy! The previous owner has a dashboard cover on it which I can't remove and take pictures of because it's STUCK by t…

Read full complaint

I recently bought a 2007 Infiniti FX35 and the dashboard is completely melted away. It's sticky and there are cracks from the driver side to the passenger side. This is dangerous as it can cause the airbag to deploy! The previous owner has a dashboard cover on it which I can't remove and take pictures of because it's STUCK by the melting material

NHTSA ODI #11444472

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2021
Seats

Driver Seat detached from floor causing great risk to operator, passengers and other vehicles or pedestrians. Seat frame broke previously and was reported to Jackie Cooper Infiniti. They requested I report it to corporate Infiniti which I did but any relief was denied. The broken frame was a cause for concern but last evening…

Read full complaint

Driver Seat detached from floor causing great risk to operator, passengers and other vehicles or pedestrians. Seat frame broke previously and was reported to Jackie Cooper Infiniti. They requested I report it to corporate Infiniti which I did but any relief was denied. The broken frame was a cause for concern but last evening the seat became loose to the point where the rear can be lifted now from the floor.

NHTSA ODI #11418293

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE ENTIRE DASH OF MY VEHICLE IS COVERED WITH BUBBLES BECAUSE OF AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN PRODUCTION. THESE BECOME WORSE EVERY SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THE DASH BECOMES A GOOEY MESS. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY OR DEPLOY CORRECTLY WHEN THIS MESS IS ALL OVER IT? I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF ANY RECALL, BUT WHEN…

Read full complaint

THE ENTIRE DASH OF MY VEHICLE IS COVERED WITH BUBBLES BECAUSE OF AN INFERIOR PRODUCT IN PRODUCTION. THESE BECOME WORSE EVERY SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THE DASH BECOMES A GOOEY MESS. HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY OR DEPLOY CORRECTLY WHEN THIS MESS IS ALL OVER IT? I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF ANY RECALL, BUT WHEN CONTACTING THE COMPANY WAS TOLD IT WAS PAST DEADLINE AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS NEEDED, THAT IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11414802

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2021
Air Bags

I'VE CALLED INFINITI AND ANOTHER NUMBER ON A LETTER I KEEP GETTING 877-481-0083 MANY, MANY TIMES AND TOLD THEM I HAVE NOT OWNED THIS CAR FOR OVER 15-YEARS AND FOR THEM TO TAKE MY NAME OFF THE LIST. NO LUCK AND THEY ARE WASTING TIME AND MONEY AND NOT FINDING THE REAL OWNER!!!

NHTSA ODI #11407484

150,000 miles · Mar 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND IT WAS GARAGE KEPT WITH ONE PREVIOUS OWNER SO I'M TOLD. SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A COVERING FOR THE VEHICLE. FOR THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE HAD THE DASH FEEL LIKE IT'S MELTING. IT'S STUCK TO ANYTHING I'VE PUT OR LAID ON IT AND CAUSES CRACKS AND RUN LINES WHERE THE CR…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND IT WAS GARAGE KEPT WITH ONE PREVIOUS OWNER SO I'M TOLD. SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A COVERING FOR THE VEHICLE. FOR THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE HAD THE DASH FEEL LIKE IT'S MELTING. IT'S STUCK TO ANYTHING I'VE PUT OR LAID ON IT AND CAUSES CRACKS AND RUN LINES WHERE THE CRACKING HAS TAKEN PLACE. DURING COLD MONTHS IT SHRINKS AND DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS EXPANS AND STARTED FEELING STICKY AND MELTING. HAS MADE SOME BUTTONS STICK THAT ARE CLOSE THE THE DASH BEFORE SO HAVING AN INCONVENIENT OF BEING STUCK ON SHUFFLE FOR MUSIC IS A THING THRU THE SUMMER. OVER TIME IS GETTING WORSE AND I CAN'T USE ANYTHING TO CLEAN THE STICKY STUFF BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO MAKE IT WORSE. WILL SEND IMAGES WHEN SOMEONE CONTACTS ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM THRU EMAIL. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. WE GO TO THE NILLY DEALERSHIP IN ATLANTA GA. THEY ARE REALLY GREAT.

NHTSA ODI #11403178

100,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 INFINITI FX 3.5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT HER BRAKES FAILED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A WITNESS INFO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 INFINITI FX 3.5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT HER BRAKES FAILED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A WITNESS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON BUT NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT COMING TO A STOP. THE PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT AND HER TWO CHILDREN WERE TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES TO HER NOSE, RIGHT KNEE, AND RIGHT SHOULDER. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE SCARS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS BODY, HE ALSO EXPERIENCED SORENESS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S OTHER CHILD DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES; THE OTHER DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INITIALLY TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION; THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11343948

129,000 miles · Jul 12, 2020
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND STARTED TO BRAKE TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE ENGINE DIED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN TWO DAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SLIP AND VDC LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN AND THEY RECALLED SOME CARS FOR IT. IT'S EITHER THE CAMSHAFT OR CRANKSHAFT PO…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND STARTED TO BRAKE TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE ENGINE DIED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN TWO DAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SLIP AND VDC LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN AND THEY RECALLED SOME CARS FOR IT. IT'S EITHER THE CAMSHAFT OR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. IM JUST GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SHOULD BE A FIX OR RECALL ON ALL CARS AFFECTED BY THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11338844

130,000 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI FX35. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT'S WIFE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SUNKEN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11297371

70,000 miles · Jan 29, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE BUBBLES IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM LUPIENT INFINITI (763-546-5577, LOCATED AT 7200 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE BUBBLES IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM LUPIENT INFINITI (763-546-5577, LOCATED AT 7200 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11172749

Official recalls

4

21V139000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:passenger Side Frontal:cushion

Mar 4, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C2.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:passenger Side Frontal:cushion

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.

Consequence: A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C2.

Air Bags:frontal

Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2003 INFINITI FX35, 2006-2008 FX35 and FX45 vehicles that previously received a replacement front passenger air bag assembly under recall number 20V-008. The air bag cushion was folded incorrectly, which could increase internal pressure and tear the air bag cushion during deployment.

Consequence: A tear in the air bag may decrease air bag performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C2.

20V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

17V028000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V349000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

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

1

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.