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2016 Lexus GX460

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

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: 4 of 6 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 1 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 reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

6 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2020
Air Bags

CONTACTED BY LEXUS ABOUT A 2016 LEXUS GX 460 I PURCHASED IN FEBURARY 2020 FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SISTER STORE. LEXUS INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG RECALL IF NOT FIXED ACCORDING TO LITERATURE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH. I WAS OPEN TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED AND STATED I HAD A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITHIN 2 MILES…

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CONTACTED BY LEXUS ABOUT A 2016 LEXUS GX 460 I PURCHASED IN FEBURARY 2020 FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SISTER STORE. LEXUS INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG RECALL IF NOT FIXED ACCORDING TO LITERATURE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH. I WAS OPEN TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED AND STATED I HAD A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITHIN 2 MILES OF MY HOME. LEXUS SAID BECAUSE THIS WAS AS SAFETY ISSUE MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WAS UNACCEPTABLE PLACE FOR REPAIRS AND I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SHIPPED TO A DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS THE CLOSEST TO MY AREA 318 MILES AWAY (ONE WAY). LEXUS OFFERED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PICKED UP AND CURRIED TO THE DEALERSHIP AT NO COST TO ME. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS MY MAIN MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK. WHEN I EXPLAINED THIS TO LEXUS ASSOCIATE IT LEXUS REPLIED THAT I COULD RENT A CAR AND LEXUS WOULD RE-EMBERSE ME FOR THE COST. WHICH IS GREAT IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO LEASE A CAR UPFRONT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY A VEHICLE WITH AN AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL ISSUED BACK IN MAY OF 2016 WAS ALLOWED TO BE RE-SOLD WITHOUT BEING FIXED THE ANSWER I RECEIVED WAS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE SHOWN UP ON THE CARFAX. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH. I BELIEVE NOT ONLY DOES LEXUS HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY BUT SO DOES THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AS I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID I FEEL I HAVE NO PROBLEM HAVING THE VEHICLE FIXED WITHIN REASONABLE COMPROMISE BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES. BUT IF IN THE INTERIM TIME SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS RECALL I WANT IT DOCUMENTED THAT I MADE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO REPORT IT TO THE NHTSA PRIOR TO ANY SUCH INCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11374120

38,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Engine

SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS, MY 2016 GX 460 STALLED WHILE DRIVING (COASTING DOWN A FREEWAY OFFRAMP). THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, BUT IT SEEMS THIS CURRENT RECALL IS SIMILAR ENOUGH THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI #11316227

7,373 miles · May 29, 2018
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS GX460. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS GX460. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THUMB INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED KING SPORT LEXUS AT (423) 224-2270 (LOCATED AT 2527 E STONE DR., KING SPORT, TN 37660) AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND CASE NUMBER: [XXX] WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,373. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11098502

5,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Service BrakesCrash

MY WIFE REPORTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHIN SECONDS OF PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. NO TRAFFIC, FLAT SURFACE, DAYTIME, GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS. SHE SAYS THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE APPROACHING STOP SIGN/T-INTERSECTION AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. CAR HIT CURB DURING ABRUPT LEFT TURN BLOWING OUT TIRE, THEN HIT FIRE HYDRANT WHI…

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MY WIFE REPORTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHIN SECONDS OF PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. NO TRAFFIC, FLAT SURFACE, DAYTIME, GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS. SHE SAYS THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE APPROACHING STOP SIGN/T-INTERSECTION AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. CAR HIT CURB DURING ABRUPT LEFT TURN BLOWING OUT TIRE, THEN HIT FIRE HYDRANT WHICH IT DRAGGED BEFORE STOPPING. TOYOTA CONDUCTED EDR READOUT AND SAYS THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR. 6 WEEKS LATER THEY SAID NO DEFECTS FOUND. I REQUESTED AN EXPLANATION OF EDR - BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED. BASED ON MY WIFE'S IMMEDIATE AND CLEAR OBSERVATIONS OF EVENT AND THE EDR REPORT I AM NOT CONVINCED. FOR EXAMPLE - EDR SHOWS ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED 100% FOR 3.5 SECONDS WITH NO BRAKE PRESSURE - YET CAR DID NOT SPEED UP, AND ACTUALLY SLOWED SLIGHTLY TO ABOUT 20 MPH; 2.5 SEC. INTO ACCELERATION EVENT CAR MYSTERIOUSLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. NEED EXPLANATION HOW THAT HAPPENED, OR IF EVEN POSSIBLE. ZERO CHANCE MY WIFE SHIFTED IT.. THE LAST SECOND OF THE RECORDED EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE DEPRESSED 100% - WIFE SAYS NO WAY SHE USED TWO FEET. RPM WENT FROM 3,600 TO 5,900 AND CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD WITH 100% BRAKE PRESSURE REPORT - REPORT ENDS AT CAR STILL GOING 8.7 MPH. TOYOTA SAYS CAR WAS "TEST DRIVEN" AND NO DEFECTS FOUND - YET THE CAR HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE SINCE THE ACCIDENT (I.E.- MISSING A TIRE). LOTS OF QUESTIONS, GETTING NO ANSWERS AND REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS/OBSERVATIONS AND EDR MAKES NO SENSE OF IT

NHTSA ODI #10927549

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2016
Suspension

MY NEW 2016 LEXUS GX460 SUV HAVE 5K MILES ON IT AND I NOTICED IT LEANS MORE TO THE RIGHT SIDE THAN LEFT SIDE (ABOUT 1-1/2 INCH DIFFERENCE) LOOKING FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE LEANS EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND FOR THEM TO CHECKED IT OUT BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUED AND TOLD ME THAT'S NORM…

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MY NEW 2016 LEXUS GX460 SUV HAVE 5K MILES ON IT AND I NOTICED IT LEANS MORE TO THE RIGHT SIDE THAN LEFT SIDE (ABOUT 1-1/2 INCH DIFFERENCE) LOOKING FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE LEANS EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND FOR THEM TO CHECKED IT OUT BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUED AND TOLD ME THAT'S NORMAL FOR THIS YEAR 2016 LEXUS. BUT THEY HONORED TO FIXED MY FRIEND VEHICLE 2014 LEXUS GX460 (SAME ISSUED ) THIS IS THE REFER TO TSB L- SB-004 -14 HE GOT HIS VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT SPRING ,COIL REPLACED FROM THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10914142

100 miles · Mar 24, 2016
Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS LEXUS 2016 GX460 WHEN IT WAS NEW. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AND WITH THE VEHICLE STILL IN DRIVE AND BRAKES APPLIED, THE BRAKES RELEASE SLIGHTLY AFTER 10-20 SECONDS, JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE CAR TO CREEP FORWARD. THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBL…

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I PURCHASED THIS LEXUS 2016 GX460 WHEN IT WAS NEW. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET AND WITH THE VEHICLE STILL IN DRIVE AND BRAKES APPLIED, THE BRAKES RELEASE SLIGHTLY AFTER 10-20 SECONDS, JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE CAR TO CREEP FORWARD. THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE 5,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THEN BRING IT BACK FOR MAINTENANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY'RE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM; THERE ARE MANY COMMENTS ON LEXUS FORUMS ABOUT IT HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10851371

Official recalls

2

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 17, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

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

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

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

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

19V005000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of 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." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

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.