← New search

2008 Infiniti M35

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Infiniti M35 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 60.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all M35 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

27 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

60 reports
56,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD IS SHINY, STICKY & GUMMY IN A NUMBER OF AREAS. THE VEHICLE IS ONE OWNER (OWNED BY A RETIRED PERSON), HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT & DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE IN THE ELEMENTS. IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED & THE DASH HAS NEVER HAD ANY SUBSTANCES (I.E., PROTECTANTS) APPLIED. THE LOCAL INFINITI DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT…

Read full complaint

DASHBOARD IS SHINY, STICKY & GUMMY IN A NUMBER OF AREAS. THE VEHICLE IS ONE OWNER (OWNED BY A RETIRED PERSON), HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT & DOES NOT SIT OUTSIDE IN THE ELEMENTS. IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED & THE DASH HAS NEVER HAD ANY SUBSTANCES (I.E., PROTECTANTS) APPLIED. THE LOCAL INFINITI DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE DASH & STATED THAT THE MATERIAL WAS BREAKING DOWN & THE DASH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A CASE WAS INITIATED WITH INFINITI USA THAT RESULTED IN THE MANUFACTURER DECLINING TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BEING WITHIN THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD. THE REPAIR HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED DUE TO THE HIGH COST INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633643

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

2008 INFINITI M35. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE, PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. AFTERWARDS, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. FROM A STANDING START, THE VEHICLE WOULD GET UP THE SPEED, THEN IT ABRUPTLY DROPPED DOWN TO A LOW SPEE…

Read full complaint

2008 INFINITI M35. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE, PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. AFTERWARDS, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. FROM A STANDING START, THE VEHICLE WOULD GET UP THE SPEED, THEN IT ABRUPTLY DROPPED DOWN TO A LOW SPEED CRAWL. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE REST OF THE WAY THE PEDAL MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE FIREWALL WITHOUT OPPOSITION OR RESISTANCE THE FULL DISTANCE JUST AS IT SHOULD UNTIL THE PEDAL REACHED ITS MAXIMUM TRAVEL, BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE ENGINE POWER OR SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES AFTER PULLING OUT AT AN INTERSECTION ON A HIGH-SPEED ROAD. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 13V430000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10589002

89,000 miles · Jan 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingTires

TRAVELING AN TIRE SENSOR CAME ON INDICATING LOW AIR PRESSURE. PULL TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON BRIDGE ON I-55 IN LOUISIANA TO FIND NOTHING WRONG. WHILE ON THE SHOULDER ANOTHER CAR PASSED WITH ROAD DEBRIS DAMAGING MY CAR. I SEE A RECALL FOR THE SENSOR YET THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS NOT IDENTIFIED FOR THE RECALL. CAN YOU TELL ME HO…

Read full complaint

TRAVELING AN TIRE SENSOR CAME ON INDICATING LOW AIR PRESSURE. PULL TO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON BRIDGE ON I-55 IN LOUISIANA TO FIND NOTHING WRONG. WHILE ON THE SHOULDER ANOTHER CAR PASSED WITH ROAD DEBRIS DAMAGING MY CAR. I SEE A RECALL FOR THE SENSOR YET THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS NOT IDENTIFIED FOR THE RECALL. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW LOUISIANA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TIRE SENSOR RECALL AND CAN YOU HELP ME GET THE SENSORS REPLACED? I ALSO SEE MANY COMMENTS OF THE HEADLIGHTS NOT BE SET CORRECTLY AND I STRUGGLE WITH THE LOW BEAM VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559093

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

2008 INFINITI M35. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ON OCTOBER 27, 2013, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT A COST OF $590.90, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAI…

Read full complaint

2008 INFINITI M35. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ON OCTOBER 27, 2013, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT A COST OF $590.90, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10555628

66,000 miles · Dec 15, 2013
Steering

THIS CAR TENDS TO DRIFT/TRAVEL/TRAMMEL WITH ROAD GROOVES/RUTS/DIPS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I'VE CHANGED THE TIRES A FEW TIMES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH ALL TIRE BRANDS I'VE TRIED. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS PREVALENT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE D…

Read full complaint

THIS CAR TENDS TO DRIFT/TRAVEL/TRAMMEL WITH ROAD GROOVES/RUTS/DIPS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I'VE CHANGED THE TIRES A FEW TIMES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH ALL TIRE BRANDS I'VE TRIED. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS PREVALENT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE DRIVEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERS AND THEY BOTH SAY IT IS COMMON TO THIS CAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556134

50 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Steering

I BOUGHT MY 2008 INFINITI M35X NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS PULLING ERRATICALLY SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. THE ANGLE OF THE ROAD AND ROUGH ROAD SURFACES MADE IT WORSE. UPON TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY AGREED TO CHANGE THE TIR…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY 2008 INFINITI M35X NEW IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS PULLING ERRATICALLY SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES TO THE RIGHT. THE ANGLE OF THE ROAD AND ROUGH ROAD SURFACES MADE IT WORSE. UPON TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY AGREED TO CHANGE THE TIRES (FROM GOODYEAR TO MICHELIN) THAT MADE IT SOMEWHAT BETTER BUT HAS NOT ELIMINATED IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS LIKE THIS, BUT NOW BELIEVE BASED ON MANY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL DEFECT AND INFINITI SHOULD BE FIXING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555811

62,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Air BagsStructure

THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD ON MY INFINITI IS CRACKING AND INFINITI WILL NOT WARRANTY PART. THE CRACK IS OCCURRING OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF MY FAMILY. RESOLUTION HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AND I FEEL THAT INFINITI HAS SOLD ME AN INFERIOR PRODUCE EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. THE YEAR OF THE V…

Read full complaint

THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD ON MY INFINITI IS CRACKING AND INFINITI WILL NOT WARRANTY PART. THE CRACK IS OCCURRING OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF MY FAMILY. RESOLUTION HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AND I FEEL THAT INFINITI HAS SOLD ME AN INFERIOR PRODUCE EVEN IF OUT OF WARRANTY. THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE IS 2008, AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE THESE KINDS OF DETERIORATION OF MATERIALS. THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551340

75,600 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT, DEPENDING ON THE LEVELING OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT, DEPENDING ON THE LEVELING OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE OR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,400.

NHTSA ODI #10490381

40,000 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Steering

GETTING UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING VIBRATION AT THE STEERING WHEEL. EVEN PURCHASED BRAND NEW TIRES AND GOT A FRONT END ALLIGNMENT AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464646

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2012
Steering

THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY PULL, OR TURN, TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT EVEN ON LEVEL STRAIGHT ROADS. IT HAS ALMOST PULLED THE WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS COMPLETELY, BECAUSE OF THE FORCE IN WHICH IT TURNS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A PERFORMANCE VEHICLE AND THIS IS HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. AFTER OWNING A 1…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY PULL, OR TURN, TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT EVEN ON LEVEL STRAIGHT ROADS. IT HAS ALMOST PULLED THE WHEEL OUT OF MY HANDS COMPLETELY, BECAUSE OF THE FORCE IN WHICH IT TURNS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A PERFORMANCE VEHICLE AND THIS IS HOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. AFTER OWNING A 1998 BMW M3 AND A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA SV WITH SPORT PACKAGE, I CAN SAY THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS HANDLED LIKE THIS. THESE ARE THE SAME ROADS THAT I DROVE WITH BOTH THOSE PREVIOUS VEHICLES SO I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT THIS IS NOT HOW A PERFORMANCE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. I JUST HOPE THE ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMETHING FATAL OCCURS FROM THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444948

Official recalls

5

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.

13V430000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

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.

09V393000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Oct 5, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

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.