NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Seats complaints
40 reportsClear category filter59,130 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Seats
I PURCHASED A 2007 M35X SEDAN IN FEBRUARY 2014. I DISCOVERED TODAY JUNE 2, 2014, THAT I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY DRIVERS' SEAT. IT LEANS INWARD TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I AM REQUESTING FEEDBACK FROM NHTSA.GOV ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I…
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I PURCHASED A 2007 M35X SEDAN IN FEBRUARY 2014. I DISCOVERED TODAY JUNE 2, 2014, THAT I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY DRIVERS' SEAT. IT LEANS INWARD TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I AM REQUESTING FEEDBACK FROM NHTSA.GOV ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL, OR WHAT IF ANYTHING IS BEING DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595614
112,000 miles · Dec 15, 2013
Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF TRACKS WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE WELDS (AS STATED BY INFINITI CERTIFIED DEALER SERVICE CENTER) HOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY DETERMINED TO BE CAUSE. INFINITI DIAGNOSIS; SEAT TRACK BROKEN. REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY; PART # 87450-EH00A. COST OF PART $835.15. LABOR TO …
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DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF TRACKS WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE WELDS (AS STATED BY INFINITI CERTIFIED DEALER SERVICE CENTER) HOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY DETERMINED TO BE CAUSE. INFINITI DIAGNOSIS; SEAT TRACK BROKEN. REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY; PART # 87450-EH00A. COST OF PART $835.15. LABOR TO INSTALL; $399.36. THIS IS A NISSAN/INFINITI PROBLEM REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO NHTSA ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATS THAT WELD FAILURE CAUSES SEAT TO COLLAPSE. PROBLEM IS LONGSTANDING, WELL DOCUMENTED, AND KNOWN TO INFINITI. IN SPITE OF THIS, NO REMEDIATION, OTHER THAN REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE, HAS BEEN OFFERED BY INFINITI. THIS WELD FAILURE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED MATTER THAT IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSE, MAINTENANCE NEGLECT, OR OVERSTRESS TO SEAT OR SEAT ASSEMBLY. THE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY REPAIR PERSONNEL AT DEALERSHIP THAT CARRIED OUT THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556125
122,079 miles · Oct 26, 2013
Seats
WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE SEAT DID NOT MOVE, SO I TRIED TO ADJUST THE SEAT WITH THE CONTROLS ON THE SIDE, IT DID NOT WORK FOR THAT FUNCTION. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE DRIVER SEAT LEANED TO THE RIGHT, AS I STRAIGHTEN OUT THE TURN, THE SEAT CAME BACK TO NORMAL POSITION, WITH A SMALL BUMP. WHEN I GOT BACK HOME I LOOKED AT T…
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WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE SEAT DID NOT MOVE, SO I TRIED TO ADJUST THE SEAT WITH THE CONTROLS ON THE SIDE, IT DID NOT WORK FOR THAT FUNCTION. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE DRIVER SEAT LEANED TO THE RIGHT, AS I STRAIGHTEN OUT THE TURN, THE SEAT CAME BACK TO NORMAL POSITION, WITH A SMALL BUMP. WHEN I GOT BACK HOME I LOOKED AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT, AND SAW A PIECE METAL [ BROKEN, JAGGED EDGE ] STICKING UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549620
80,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
Seats
FRONT DRIVER SEAT TILTS TOWARDS CENTER CONSOLE. THE SEAT RUBS AGAINST THE CONSOLE WHEN THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED UPON ENTRY AND REMAINS TILTED AT AN ANGLE CAUSING BACK PAIN ON EXTENDED DRIVES. MY MECHANIC AND AN INFINITI DEALER HAVE BOTH SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1200. THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTA…
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FRONT DRIVER SEAT TILTS TOWARDS CENTER CONSOLE. THE SEAT RUBS AGAINST THE CONSOLE WHEN THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED UPON ENTRY AND REMAINS TILTED AT AN ANGLE CAUSING BACK PAIN ON EXTENDED DRIVES. MY MECHANIC AND AN INFINITI DEALER HAVE BOTH SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1200. THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE WITH THESE CARS, BUT INFINITI WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS REGARDING ABOUT THIS COMMON PROBLEM. IN MY NEARLY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING, THE VAST MAJORITY OF IT ON MUCH CHEAPER AND LESS LUXURIOUS CARS, I HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT ASSEMBLY BEND OR BREAK. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM AND INFINITI'S LACK OF SUPPORT WILL DELETERIOUSLY AFFECT MY DECISION TO PURCHASE AN INFINITI IN THE FUTURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514891
85,862 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF TRACKS WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE WELDS HOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY DETERMINED TO BE CAUSE. INFINITI DIAGNOSIS; SEAT TRACK BROKEN. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY; PART # 87450-EH00A. COST OF PART $835.15. LABOR TO INSTALL; $399.36. THIS IS A NISSAN/INFINITI PROBLEM R…
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DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF TRACKS WHILE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE WELDS HOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY DETERMINED TO BE CAUSE. INFINITI DIAGNOSIS; SEAT TRACK BROKEN. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY; PART # 87450-EH00A. COST OF PART $835.15. LABOR TO INSTALL; $399.36. THIS IS A NISSAN/INFINITI PROBLEM REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO NHTSA ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS. WELD FAILURE CAUSES SEAT TO COLLAPSE. PROBLEM IS LONGSTANDING, WELL DOCUMENTED, AND KNOWN TO INFINITI. IN SPITE OF THIS, NO REMEDIATION, OTHER THAN REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE, HAS BEEN OFFERED BY INFINITI. THIS WELD FAILURE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED MATTER THAT IS NOT THE RESULT OF ABUSE, MAINTENANCE NEGLECT, OR OVERSTRESS TO SEAT OR SEAT ASSEMBLY. THE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY REPAIR PERSONNEL AT DEALERSHIP THAT CARRIED OUT THE REPAIR. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND THEIR PRODUCT SAFETY AND CARRY OUT THIS REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNERS. THIS IS A VERY DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE COMING FROM A COMPANY THAT HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECORD OF RELIABILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504870
108,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Seats
THE DRIVERS SEAT BASE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE METAL LEVER THAT ADJUSTS THE HEIGHT OFF THE FLOOR AND THE SEAT TRACK IS RESTING ON THE FLOOR . THE SEAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED LEVEL AND THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN WITH THE BROKEN SEAT POSITION. DEALER SAID REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL AND WILL BE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482804
107,500 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Seats
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LEANS TO RIGHT. UNABLE TO RAISE THE SEAT. SEAT BOTTOM IS RESTING ON THE TRACK. ALSO, SEAT MEMORY POSITION INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RETURN TO SETTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467747
32,517 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Seats
2006 AND 2007 INFINITI M35'S HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT TRACK BREAKING. IT ACTUALLY STARTS OFF BY THE SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH DURING BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. IT THEN GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME GOES ON TILL THE SEAT RAIL ITSELF BREAKS. AT THAT POINT THE SEAT MOVES AND LEANS INTO THE CENTER CONSOLE. …
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2006 AND 2007 INFINITI M35'S HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT TRACK BREAKING. IT ACTUALLY STARTS OFF BY THE SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH DURING BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. IT THEN GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME GOES ON TILL THE SEAT RAIL ITSELF BREAKS. AT THAT POINT THE SEAT MOVES AND LEANS INTO THE CENTER CONSOLE. I HAD A 2006 INFINITI M35 WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I NOW HAVE A 2007 INFINITI M35 WITH IT. THE DEALER COST TO FIX IS $1200.00. INFINITI OWNERS ARE NOT HAVING THIS FIXED DUE TO THE COST AND ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD. INFINITI WILL NOT FIX THIS IF ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. I ONLY HOPE THAT THIS SMALL COMPLAINT WILL BE THE ONE THAT MAKES SOMETHING HAPPEN. THANK YOU. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455675
76,900 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SEAT BOTTOM AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SEAT BOTTOM AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,924 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,900.
NHTSA ODI #10452709
72,000 miles · Sep 28, 2011
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BROKE AND THE SEAT WAS NOT STABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BROKE AND THE SEAT WAS NOT STABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10427731
Official recalls
4Jan 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.
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.
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.
Sep 26, 2013
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2004, through October 5, 2010. Over time, the accelerator pedal sensor signal may deteriorate resulting in the output of an incorrect signal causing the engine to go into fail-safe (limp home) mode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In this fail-safe mode, throttle valve deposits may cause the engine to stall when the vehicle is coming to a stop or at idle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly and reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2013. Owners may contact Nissan 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
1EA21002 · 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.