THERE IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE M272 ENGINE. THE ENGINE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET WAS MADE OF SOFT METAL WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVE SPROCKET TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THIS WEAR CAUSES THE TIMING OF THE ENGINE TO BECOME OFF, WHICH THEN CAUSES THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO LIMP MODE. IN LIMP MODE, THE CAR SUDDENLY CANNOT BE DRIV…
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THERE IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE M272 ENGINE. THE ENGINE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET WAS MADE OF SOFT METAL WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVE SPROCKET TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THIS WEAR CAUSES THE TIMING OF THE ENGINE TO BECOME OFF, WHICH THEN CAUSES THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO LIMP MODE. IN LIMP MODE, THE CAR SUDDENLY CANNOT BE DRIVEN OVER 20 MPH AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED TO EXIT LIMP MODE. I APPROACHED A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND THE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WAS OVER $7,000! THIS ENGINE DEFECT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615174
68,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Engine
I PURCHASED MERCEDES BENZ C230, 2007 FROM THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND IN A WEEK THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO ITS SERVICE DIVISION AND IT SAID THAT CODE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY DID SOMETHING AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR A WEEK. THEN, I RETURNED TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT FUEL WAS…
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I PURCHASED MERCEDES BENZ C230, 2007 FROM THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND IN A WEEK THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO ITS SERVICE DIVISION AND IT SAID THAT CODE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY DID SOMETHING AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR A WEEK. THEN, I RETURNED TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT FUEL WAS NOT BEING SUPPLIED EVENLY IN THE ENGINE. SUGGESTED TO GO TO THE MERCEDES SERVICE CENTER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN MARION, IL. THEY TURNED OF THE LIGHT BY UPDATING COMPUTER PROGRAM. HOWEVER, IN A WEEK THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I PURCHASED IT ON MARCH 31, 2014. I WENT TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP TO REFUND MY MONEY. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED. THEY SAID THAT THIS CAR HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM A YEAR AGO. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK WELL THE CAR'S BACKGROUND BEFORE SELLING. THEY SAID THAT THE BACKGROUND OF THE CAR WAS CLEAN. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR TO LONG DISTANCE WITH THIS FAULTY. IT IS SIMPLY UNSAFE. I REQUESTED TO REFUND MY PAYMENT OF 13,500, AND THEY REFUSED. PLEASE HELP SINCERELY *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609656
82,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Engine
THE BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MERCEDES IN THE M272 AND M273 MODELS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN MAKING IT. I HAVE ADDED THE EXCERPT FROM THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN : "APPLICABLE MODELS (NOT APPLICABLE TO MODEL 164.156, 204 OR 216.386): EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE UP TO SERIAL NO. 2729..30 468993 OR M273 E…
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THE BALANCE SHAFT ISSUE IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO MERCEDES IN THE M272 AND M273 MODELS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN MAKING IT. I HAVE ADDED THE EXCERPT FROM THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN : "APPLICABLE MODELS (NOT APPLICABLE TO MODEL 164.156, 204 OR 216.386): EQUIPPED WITH M272 ENGINE UP TO SERIAL NO. 2729..30 468993 OR M273 ENGINE UP TO SERIAL NO. 2739..30 088611. THE MATERIAL FOR THE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET AND THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE WHEEL (IDLER) WAS MODIFIED ON ENGINES PAST THE SERIAL NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE" THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS AN ENGINE ISSUE THAT MERCEDES DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565290
35,000 miles · Sep 9, 2013
EnginePower Train
I PURCHASED MY 2007 C230 NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES OF THE CAR NOT DOWN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND THE CAR'S SPEED DECLINING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS AT 20MPH AND ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65MPH. I'VE EVEN ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT OUT OF AUTOMATIC DRIV…
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I PURCHASED MY 2007 C230 NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES OF THE CAR NOT DOWN SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND THE CAR'S SPEED DECLINING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS AT 20MPH AND ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65MPH. I'VE EVEN ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT OUT OF AUTOMATIC DRIVE AND INTO MANUAL SHIFT AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND. THE ONLY WAY TO "REBOOT" IT IS IF I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THIS IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL/MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES!!! TO HAVE TO PULL OVER ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE IS NOT SAFE BY ANY MEANS. WHEN TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INSPECTED IT AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A TRANSMISSION VALVE FAILURE THAT WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1300. FOR A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES, WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR SERVICE THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I PURCHASED A MERCEDES BASED ON THEIR RELIABILITY AND WHEN CONTACTING CORPORATE FOR REVIEW IN THE MATTER THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER ME A 10% DISCOUNT. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PAYING FOR REGULAR UP KEEP AND IF OTHER ITEMS NEED TO BE UPDATED/REPLACED TO KEEP THE CAR IN GOOD CONDITION BUT TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AT 40,000 MILES IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT NEEDS REVIEW AND RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542684
160,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
BALANCE SHAFT PREMATURE FAILURE FOUND BY CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) DURING DIAGNOSTICS CHECK AT MERCEDES BENZ OF NASHVILLE, TN. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL SO I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE FIRST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE REPAIR IS THE BALANCE SHAFT $5,600 REPAIR. MBUSA REFUSED GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE TO SERVICE DIRECT…
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BALANCE SHAFT PREMATURE FAILURE FOUND BY CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) DURING DIAGNOSTICS CHECK AT MERCEDES BENZ OF NASHVILLE, TN. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL SO I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE FIRST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE REPAIR IS THE BALANCE SHAFT $5,600 REPAIR. MBUSA REFUSED GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE TO SERVICE DIRECTOR [XXX] ON 8/21/13. THE SERVICE REPORT SHOWS ALL ENGINE RELATED CHECKS ARE GREEN/GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READING BALANCE SHAFT REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. I DRIVE OVER 100 INTERSTATE MILES DAILY SO THE WARRANTY IS EXCEEDED QUICKLY. BASED ON # OF CLAIMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE CAR WILL FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN MERGING AND EVEN STALL OUT COMPLETE AT ANY SPEED. WHERE IS THE RECALL????? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536542
96,013 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Engine
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD THE CAR LOOKED INTO AT A REPUTABLE MB DEALERSHIP. THE CODES THAT WERE READ WERE C1200 AND C1208 FOR INTAKE AND CAMSHAFT TIMING RETARDED (NEED BALANCE SHAFT). THIS IS A $4,000 REPAIR. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO SEE THA…
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD THE CAR LOOKED INTO AT A REPUTABLE MB DEALERSHIP. THE CODES THAT WERE READ WERE C1200 AND C1208 FOR INTAKE AND CAMSHAFT TIMING RETARDED (NEED BALANCE SHAFT). THIS IS A $4,000 REPAIR. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON MY C230 MB. APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE OR HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE ON 2006 AND 2007 C230'S. I DID NOT HAVE THE WORK DONE DUE TO THE EXPENSIVE COSTS. HOWEVER I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I RUN THE RISK OF BEING STRANDED AS I DROVE IT THE SAME DAY I PICKED IT BACK UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES AND TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE BACK UP IT STARTED AS NORMAL. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO DRIVE THE CAR AND NOT EVER KNOW IF IT WILL START OR NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508591
102,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW, IT WAS NEVER PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND DIRECTLY FROM A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SPEED AND GEAR SHIFTING BACK IN MAY 2012. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY NORMAL SPEED (55MPH) THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD SLOW TO A CO…
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I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW, IT WAS NEVER PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND DIRECTLY FROM A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SPEED AND GEAR SHIFTING BACK IN MAY 2012. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY NORMAL SPEED (55MPH) THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD SLOW TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WOULD HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER OFF THE FREEWAY, TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF, LET IT SIT AND THEN START IT AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMAL. WHEN I GET OFF THE FREEWAY OR NOW EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD GOING 35 MPH THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AS I CAME TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT (AS IF I WAS DRIVING A STICK SHIFT AND DIDN'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PRESS THE CLUTCH) AND THEN IT WOULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. NOW I AM HAVING A THIRD ISSUE IN ADDITION TO THESE ISSUES WHERE THE CAR WILL SHIFT GEARS ON IT'S OWN AND I'M DRIVING IN AUTOMATIC MODE NOT AS A 5 SPEED. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS FOR ME TO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUE ON A MERCEDES BENZ THAT I PURCHASED NEW. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO CLAIMS THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION DUE TO ONE SMALL PIECE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER BENZ OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD THAT A CAR WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE ON A FREEWAY AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE ALMOST COLLIDED WITH OTHER CARS DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE DECLINE IN SPEED. I HAVE TO ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO PULL OVER TO SHUT OFF THE CAR. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY THAT IT SHOULD PROVIDE. PLEASE FOLLOW UP WITH ME REGARDING THIS ISSUE I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT REQUESTS ARE BEING IGNORED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ONE IS LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486287
50,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE RPM'S RAN WAY UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE AND NOTHING. I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MIN. THEN BACK ON. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND I HAD ALL THE NECESSARY …
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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE RPM'S RAN WAY UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE AND NOTHING. I PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MIN. THEN BACK ON. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND I HAD ALL THE NECESSARY SERVICE DONE ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS INCREASINGLY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND IT IS NOW BECOMING A HAZARD. THE CAR HAS STARTED JUMPING WHEN PUT IN DRIVE AND IT IS ALARMING. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND I FEEL MERCEDES SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECT IN THIS MODEL. I HAVE CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY ONLY CAR. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE AND MY CHILDREN DON'T EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475038
49,500 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Engine
SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION, RPMS ELEVATED DRAMATICALLY. FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE CAR DID NOT REGAIN NORMAL PROPULSION AND BARELY MOVED. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, PROPULSION RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2007 C350, C230, C280, CLK350, E320CDI, E350 Wagon, E350, 2006 C55 AMG, CLK500, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, E500 Wagon, E500, E55 AMG, 2007 CLK550, CLS550, CLS63 AMG, E550, E63 AMG, and E63 Wagon AMG vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly causing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021040012.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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