← 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 · Oct 3, 2015
Engine

CHANGED 1 ENGINE COIL AND ALL 6 PLUGS, RAN GOOD FOR 2 DAYS. THEN STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, HESITATES AND CUTS OFF. THEN CHANGED ALL 6 COILS, RAN GOOD 2 DAYS THEN STARTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. INTERNET RESEARCH SAYS POSSIBLE ECM, IPDM OR ECU RELAY CAUSING THE COILS TO OVER HEAT AND BURN UP. NO RECALLS ON 2007 FX35 BUT OTHER MODELS…

Read full complaint

CHANGED 1 ENGINE COIL AND ALL 6 PLUGS, RAN GOOD FOR 2 DAYS. THEN STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, HESITATES AND CUTS OFF. THEN CHANGED ALL 6 COILS, RAN GOOD 2 DAYS THEN STARTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. INTERNET RESEARCH SAYS POSSIBLE ECM, IPDM OR ECU RELAY CAUSING THE COILS TO OVER HEAT AND BURN UP. NO RECALLS ON 2007 FX35 BUT OTHER MODELS HAVE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. INFINITI SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL THE 2007 FX35 MODEL AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10779512

49,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Equipment Adaptive/mobility

THE "VDC OFF" "SLIP" ERROR LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS STEERING COLUMN IS MOVED, THUS TRACTION CONTROL IS SHUT OFF FOR USE IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE GET SQUIRRELLY ON WET PAVEMENT. IF I RAISE THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY UP AND IN, IT IS OK. ONCE YOU TRY TO ADJUST THE STEERING COLUMN THE ERROR LIGHT COMES ON. WE D…

Read full complaint

THE "VDC OFF" "SLIP" ERROR LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS STEERING COLUMN IS MOVED, THUS TRACTION CONTROL IS SHUT OFF FOR USE IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE GET SQUIRRELLY ON WET PAVEMENT. IF I RAISE THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY UP AND IN, IT IS OK. ONCE YOU TRY TO ADJUST THE STEERING COLUMN THE ERROR LIGHT COMES ON. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR THE NEXT 5,000 MILES (9 MONTHS) WITHOUT ADJUSTING THE WHEEL, IE. TURNED OFF MEMORY SELF-ADJUSTING FEATURE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A LOOSE OR BROKEN WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN FROM ALL THE AUTOMATIC MOVING UP AND OUT OF THE WAY WHEN CAR IS SHUT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. THEN ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE SEAT QUIT RETRACTING EVERY TIME. IT STILL DOES AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT AND MOVES FORWARD FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT NOT OFTEN ANYMORE. NOW 5,000 MILES LATER, AFTER TRYING TO ADJUST WHEEL, THE "VDC OFF, SLIP" LIGHT STAY ON ALWAYS. IT WON'T GO OUT NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE STEERING COLUMN IS IN. ALSO, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT LIGHT IS NOW ALWAYS FLASHING. THIS MEANS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT TENSIONERS WILL NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10746496

123,555 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Power Train

THE CAR WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR DURING REVERSE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL POP OUT OF GEAR AND ENGINE JUST KEEP REVVING. HAVE TO PUT IN DRIVE AND PUT BACK INTO REVERSE CONTINUOUSLY TO GET REVERSE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND CAN PRODUCE A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694582

50,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10672155

80,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITY FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL WHERE INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITY FX35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL WHERE INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10606421

84,000 miles · May 3, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2007 INFINITY FX-35 STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO UNLOCK HAS FAILED. THEREFORE, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE INFINITY DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA FOR REPAIRS. I DISAGREE WITH HAVING TO PAY OVER $400 TO HAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WH…

Read full complaint

MY 2007 INFINITY FX-35 STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO UNLOCK HAS FAILED. THEREFORE, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE INFINITY DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA FOR REPAIRS. I DISAGREE WITH HAVING TO PAY OVER $400 TO HAVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKING SYSTEMS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH OTHER INFINITY FX-35 OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586354

69,750 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SEEMED TO IDLE ROUGH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL COIL AND WIRING BEFORE HEY COULD DETERMINE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE IS THE AWD…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SEEMED TO IDLE ROUGH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL COIL AND WIRING BEFORE HEY COULD DETERMINE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE IS THE AWD 2007 FX35 WITH ONLY 69750 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473854

90,500 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I20 DURING AFTERNOON ATLANTA TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED RIDING LIKE A TRUCK AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE AND VDC LIGHTS CAME ON THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO NAVIGATE 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER. THE AUTO REPAIR S…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I20 DURING AFTERNOON ATLANTA TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED RIDING LIKE A TRUCK AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE AND VDC LIGHTS CAME ON THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO NAVIGATE 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE CAR IS BADLY MISFIRING ON 3 CYLINDERS AND IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE, THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND MAYBE SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THIS IS A FIVE YEAR OLD, WELL MAINTAINED CAR, WITH ONLY 90K MILES. I WOULDN'T EXPECT TO HAVE MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT RESULT IN HAVING TO NAVIGATE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468006

73,000 miles · Nov 20, 2011
Air Bags

FX35 2007 INFINITI AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR ANY INCIDENT OCCURRING ON 3 NOVEMBER 2011. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AND HOUR WITH NO INCIDENT OCCURRING DURING THAT TIME. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 73,350 MILES WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO INIFINITI SERVICE LOCATION IN ALEXANDRIA, VA AND WAS TOLD…

Read full complaint

FX35 2007 INFINITI AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR ANY INCIDENT OCCURRING ON 3 NOVEMBER 2011. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AND HOUR WITH NO INCIDENT OCCURRING DURING THAT TIME. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 73,350 MILES WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO INIFINITI SERVICE LOCATION IN ALEXANDRIA, VA AND WAS TOLD THAT CODE 1054 APPEARED AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, SPIRAL CABLE AND DIAGNOSTIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2202.50 TO REPLACE THE ITEMS. HE STATED IT WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT FROM WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST WHEN IT HAD OCCURRED THE ONLY THING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE ITEMS MENTIONED ABOVE. THEY RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT AS A 1ST STEP BUT STATED THAT IF IT CAME BACK I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ITEMS BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT COULD PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IF NEEDED. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON THE SAME DAY THAT I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE, 18 NOVEMBER 2011. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THIS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436497

80,571 miles · Oct 22, 2011
Electrical System

I PURCHASED VEHICLE LESS THAN 90 DAYS I TRADED IN CADILLAC ESV CERTIFIED VEHICLE COULD NOT AT THE TIME AFFORD WARRANTY WAS TOLD HAD 90 DAYS. VEHICLE ONE DAY SMOKE CAME FROM HOOD WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20MPH AND SMELLED LIKE GAS AND ELECTRICAL BURNING. TOWED TO BOB MOORE INFINITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY WAS TOLD GROUND WIRE PLASTIC …

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED VEHICLE LESS THAN 90 DAYS I TRADED IN CADILLAC ESV CERTIFIED VEHICLE COULD NOT AT THE TIME AFFORD WARRANTY WAS TOLD HAD 90 DAYS. VEHICLE ONE DAY SMOKE CAME FROM HOOD WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20MPH AND SMELLED LIKE GAS AND ELECTRICAL BURNING. TOWED TO BOB MOORE INFINITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY WAS TOLD GROUND WIRE PLASTIC MELTED AND BURNED UP 6 COILS AND RUINED 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TOTALING $4500 IN DAMAGE WAS TOLD THEN NO SERVICE RECORDS ON CAR AND THIS IS COMMON ISSUE BUT NOT FIXED BEFORE IT SOLD TO ME. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX SO THEY OFFERED TO BUY BACK CAR I AGREED THEY GAVE ME $12000 BUT THIS CAR WAS APPRAISED AT BY BOB MOORE $20200 I FELL THAT THEY SHORTED ME $3700 ASKED ABOUT THIS WAS TOLD FINAL OFFER HAD NO CHOICE TO TAKE BUT WANTING THIS COMPANY REPORTED BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE DONE THIS HAD SPOKE TO A FEW BUT THEY DID NOT REPORT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN NOR HELP ME. JUST WANT FAIR OFFER. AND THIS ISSUE OVER WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432471

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.