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2009 Infiniti M35

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 14 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

16 reports
19,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 INFINITI M35. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THE CONTACT HAD DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY AND CAUSED THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 INFINITI M35. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THE CONTACT HAD DEPRESSED BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED IN EITHER CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER YET THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400693

12,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Suspension

2009 INFINITI M35X (WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES) WILL MAKE A "HARD TURN" ON SLIGHTLY UNEVEN ROADS AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO QUICKLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.. SEVERE HAZARD AND FROM WHAT I REVIEWED THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE BLAMED ON THE GOVE…

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2009 INFINITI M35X (WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES) WILL MAKE A "HARD TURN" ON SLIGHTLY UNEVEN ROADS AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO QUICKLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.. SEVERE HAZARD AND FROM WHAT I REVIEWED THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE BLAMED ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING UNEVEN ROADS BECAUSE THE M35X WILL GO WITH THE ROAD, VERY UNPREDICTABLY AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. IT IS ALSO SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO RECOVER TO A NORMAL STEERING AFTER YOUR CAR IS BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE ROAD... THIS HAPPENS EXTREMELY FAST AND IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON TO ALL THE INFINITI M35X PRIOR TO 2009. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE TRACKING PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN AND THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS. I SERIOUSLY SUGGEST THAT THIS ISSUE BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT BECOMES BIGGER THAN WHAT IT IS. ANY INTERNET FORUM ON THIS TOPIC WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW BIG AND WIDESPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366467

20,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER OF 2010 MY 2009 INFINITI M35X UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STALLED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, TWICE WITHIN A WEEK BEFORE THE CAR WAS SERVICED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CITED UNDER NHTSA ITEM #10032906, SERVICE BULLETIN # ITB-10-014 AND ONCE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. IN A…

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IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER OF 2010 MY 2009 INFINITI M35X UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STALLED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, TWICE WITHIN A WEEK BEFORE THE CAR WAS SERVICED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CITED UNDER NHTSA ITEM #10032906, SERVICE BULLETIN # ITB-10-014 AND ONCE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. IN ALL THREE STALLS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT SLOW SPEED (<10MPH) AND LOW RPM. TWO OF THE STALLS OCCURED WHILE MAKING TURNS, ONE IN THE FACE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONE IN A PARKING LOT. IN NONE OF THE THREE STALLS WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY IN THAT REGARD. THE INFINITI DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SERVICED IT AND INFORMED ME OF THE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AND PUBLISHED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE "FIX" WAS A FAIRLY SIMPLE REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM. NOTWITHSTANDING THAT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FIX. I RETURNED IT BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBEM. IN THE MEANTIME I CONTACTED INFINITI NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBELM, THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT INFINITI WOULD/COULD DO. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS EXPERIENCE IS THREEFOLD: 1) INFINITI KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH MY VEHICLE THAT COULD CAUSE IT TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY ME TO BRING IT IN TO MAKE THE "SIMPLE FIX" BEFORE IT STALLED. 2) THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AFTER THE "FIX" WAS MADE AND 3) I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER IT IS GOING TO STALL AGAIN. NEITHER DOES INFINITI. THEY KNEW THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM BUT TOOK NO PROACTIVE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE POTENTAL FOR DAMAGE/INJURY. I TOLD THEM I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE BEING IN THIS SITUATION AND ASKED THEM TO REPURCHASE THE CAR. THEY REFUSED. I BELIEVE, BASED UPON MY FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE, THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT MAY NOT BE ON THE SCALE OF TOYOTA'S SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY SUFFERS ITS CUSTOMERS TO EXPERIENCE WHILE HIDING BEHIND A TSB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363888

23,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

2009 INFINITI M35X WILL MAKE A "HARD TURN" ON SLIGHTLY UNEVEN ROADS AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO QUICKLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.. SEVERE HAZARD AND FROM WHAT I REVIEWED THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE BLAMED ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING UNEVEN ROA…

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2009 INFINITI M35X WILL MAKE A "HARD TURN" ON SLIGHTLY UNEVEN ROADS AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO QUICKLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.. SEVERE HAZARD AND FROM WHAT I REVIEWED THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALREADY ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE BLAMED ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING UNEVEN ROADS BECAUSE THE M35X WILL GO WITH THE ROAD. IT IS ALSO SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO RECOVER TO A NORMAL STEERING AFTER YOUR CAR IS BEING TAKEN OVER BY THE ROAD... THIS HAPPENS EXTREMELY FAST AND IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. I'M A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER AND SERIOUSLY SUGGEST THAT THIS ISSUE BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT BECOMES BIGGER THAN WHAT IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314251

9,700 miles · Jan 31, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP GOING 25-30 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKES "LOCKED" AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR AT ALL. IT WAS A FREEZING COLD DAY AND THERE WAS A "DUSTING OF SNOW" ON A FEW SECTIONS OF THE ROAD. THE CAR IS AN AWD VEHICLE. I AVOIDED CRASHING INTO NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES BY DRIVING OFF …

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I WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP GOING 25-30 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKES "LOCKED" AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR AT ALL. IT WAS A FREEZING COLD DAY AND THERE WAS A "DUSTING OF SNOW" ON A FEW SECTIONS OF THE ROAD. THE CAR IS AN AWD VEHICLE. I AVOIDED CRASHING INTO NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES BY DRIVING OFF ROAD ONTO THE GRASS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303462

200 miles · Jul 13, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I PURCHASED AN 07 INFINITI M35X AND HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT. THE MAJOR ISSUE WAS DUE TO A "DRAGGING, RASP RATTLING, ROCKS IN A CAN SOUND" COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR; WHICH I FOUGHT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON FOR OVER A YEAR. SINCE THEN; I WORKED A DEAL WITH THE NEW AND CURRENT GM ON A 09 M35 SPORT AND THE SAME RATTLING HAS AR…

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I PURCHASED AN 07 INFINITI M35X AND HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT. THE MAJOR ISSUE WAS DUE TO A "DRAGGING, RASP RATTLING, ROCKS IN A CAN SOUND" COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR; WHICH I FOUGHT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON FOR OVER A YEAR. SINCE THEN; I WORKED A DEAL WITH THE NEW AND CURRENT GM ON A 09 M35 SPORT AND THE SAME RATTLING HAS AROUSED AGAIN; "ROCKS IN A CAN" SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER PUTTING JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES ON IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JULY 8TH; IN WHICH THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS. CHANGED OUT THE INSTALLATION AND HEAT SHIELDS; THE PROBLEMS IS STILL THERE. THERE ARE AN ABUNDANCE OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS; WITH DEALERSHIP TECH'S GIVING CUSTOMERS DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND EVEN ADMITTING IT TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE ISSUE GETS WORST OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND AS THE SYSTEM GETS HOTTER AND HOTTER. I'M AFRAID THAT AT SOME POINT WITH ME DRIVING THIS NEW VEHICLE; THAT SOMETHING COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. VEHICLE LOCATION IN THE VIRGINIA BEACH AREA CURRENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276517

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.