NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
12 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 16, 2018
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V404000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TULLEY MAZDA (147 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY, N…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V404000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TULLEY MAZDA (147 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY, NASHUA, NH) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11111738
82,600 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
MY VEHICLE HAS LES THAN 84,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND A TECHNICIAN LATER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE SPARK PLUG SYSTEM. I ALSO HAD A WINDSHIELD WIPER POP OFF WHILE IN USE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11089778
200,000 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, IDLING, OR DRIVING UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE CYLINDER NUMBER SIX. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SIERRA MAZDA DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, IDLING, OR DRIVING UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE CYLINDER NUMBER SIX. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SIERRA MAZDA DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10994929
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2017
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. …
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10969004
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2014
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE HAZED OVER. THIS CONDITION HAS SEVERLY LIMITED THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR ON THE HEADLIGHT. *JS I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY INTENDED THE LIGHT OUTPUT TO DIMINISH OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE T…
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THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE HAZED OVER. THIS CONDITION HAS SEVERLY LIMITED THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR ON THE HEADLIGHT. *JS I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY INTENDED THE LIGHT OUTPUT TO DIMINISH OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS RESTRICT LIGHT OUTPUT BELOW MINIMUM LUMEN.OUTPUT
NHTSA ODI #10617342
100,000 miles · Oct 4, 2013
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I OWN A 2006 MAZDA MPV. ON SEPTEMBER 26, MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE ENTERING IN OUR HOME DRIVE WAY, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE GARAGE DOOR AND CRASHED AGAINST THE INTERNAL WALL THAT DIVIDE THE GARAGE FROM THE KITCHEN. WE DID NOT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE POLICE O…
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I OWN A 2006 MAZDA MPV. ON SEPTEMBER 26, MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE ENTERING IN OUR HOME DRIVE WAY, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE GARAGE DOOR AND CRASHED AGAINST THE INTERNAL WALL THAT DIVIDE THE GARAGE FROM THE KITCHEN. WE DID NOT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE POLICE OR THE INSURANCE TO AVOID FURTHER INCREASE IN THE QUOTES INSURANCE BUT OUR NEIGHBORS SAW THE ACCIDENT. WE HAD TO HIRE A SPECIALIZED DOOR COMPANY TO REPLACE THE GARAGE DOOR AND A HANDYMAN TO FIX THE GARAGE SIDE AND THE KITCHEN SIDE. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE CAR REPAIR IS $2,000.00, NEW GARAGE DOOR $1,175.00 AND THE WALL $250. A FEW DAYS AFTER WE BOTH THIS CAR, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE AUTO PARTS PARKING LOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES, JUST THE TERRIBLE MOMENT IN WHAT YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN'T STOP YOUR CAR. WE FOUNDED AT LEAST 15 COMPLAINTS IN THE INTERNET RELATED TO THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA MPV. ALL THESE COMPLAINS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546807
170,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility
THE ELECTRIC WINDOW CONTROL FOR THE 2006 MAZDA MPV FAILED TO LOWER THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN ENGAGED. WHEN THE OTHER WINDOW CONTROLS WERE ENGAGED, THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE AND SMOKE. WE REPORTED IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A BIT, B…
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THE ELECTRIC WINDOW CONTROL FOR THE 2006 MAZDA MPV FAILED TO LOWER THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN ENGAGED. WHEN THE OTHER WINDOW CONTROLS WERE ENGAGED, THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE AND SMOKE. WE REPORTED IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A BIT, BUT IT IS NOT ON ANY RECALL AND WOULD COST ALMOST $1,000 TO FIX. WE TOOK THE FUSE OUT THAT CONTROLLED THE WINDOWS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505924
24,388 miles · Dec 18, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE FOR FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. EVERY TIME I PUMP GAS INTO THE VEHICLE I GET BACK SPLASH THAT GOES ALL OVER MYSELF AND THE GROUND. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE PROB…
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THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE FOR FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. EVERY TIME I PUMP GAS INTO THE VEHICLE I GET BACK SPLASH THAT GOES ALL OVER MYSELF AND THE GROUND. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE TWICE AND THE GAS TANK, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS BACK SPLASH IS DANGEROUS TO MY HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. THE PROBLEM WASN'T THERE WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489191
38,944 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE IT SPILLED BACK OUT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE TWICE AND THE FUEL TANK ONE TIME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FUEL CONTINUED TO SPILL OUT ON THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE IT SPILLED BACK OUT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE TWICE AND THE FUEL TANK ONE TIME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FUEL CONTINUED TO SPILL OUT ON THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETTER AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,944.
NHTSA ODI #10405322
8,500 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE PULLING INTO A HANDICAPPED SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE HANDICAPPED SIGN. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDOW OF A BANK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND STOMACH. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE PULLING INTO A HANDICAPPED SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE HANDICAPPED SIGN. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDOW OF A BANK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND STOMACH. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS SURGING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACCELERATING FASTER THAN THE SET SPEED. FLORIDA HIGHWAY POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 070FF132518, AND H.S.M.C. FILED CRASH REPORT NUMBER 7738-3529. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,666 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500.
NHTSA ODI #10214794
Official recalls
2Jun 15, 2018
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Jun 15, 2018
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or 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. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 17V-011.
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.
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