NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
54 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AFTER A REMOTE STARTER WAS INSTALLED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. THE REMOTE STARTER WAS REMOVED (BYPASSED BY INSTALLERS) AND THE CONDITION BEING EXPERIENCED CONTINUED. THE RESULT IS THE CAR FAILING TO START PROPERLY AND AT TIMES CUTTING OF…
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APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AFTER A REMOTE STARTER WAS INSTALLED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. THE REMOTE STARTER WAS REMOVED (BYPASSED BY INSTALLERS) AND THE CONDITION BEING EXPERIENCED CONTINUED. THE RESULT IS THE CAR FAILING TO START PROPERLY AND AT TIMES CUTTING OFF WHILE IN OPERATION INCLUDING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, WHICH CAN CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE IS STILL BEING EXPERIENCED AND THE CAM POSITION SENSOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300406
110,311 miles · Nov 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAILURE TO START, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON ON -- TOOK TO SVC STATION, DID DIAGNOSTIC BAD CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290616
92,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92, 000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10287182
86,000 miles · Aug 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR AND COULD HAVE IMPROPER SOLDER DEFORMATION WHICH IS RELATED TO NHTSA# 03V455000, COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES. UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10280801
119,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND I LATER RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM (RECALL 03V455) INVOLVING 3 FAULTY SENSORS AND MY VIN FALL INSIDE THE RANGE OF APPLIED VINS JN1DA*1**3T…
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND I LATER RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM (RECALL 03V455) INVOLVING 3 FAULTY SENSORS AND MY VIN FALL INSIDE THE RANGE OF APPLIED VINS JN1DA*1**3T 400002 - 515067. I DID HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BY NISSAN AT A COST TO ME OF OVER $416 WHEREAS, NISSAN REPLACED TWO OF THE SENSORS. AT THIS TIME, NISSAN INSISTS THAT MY CAR AND VIN DO NOT APPLY. I HAD READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THEY ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN REFUSES TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM ALSO. I AGREE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR BEHIND ME CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ME WHEN MY CAR STALLED AND THE DRIVER PROCEEDED TO HONK THE HORN AND SHOUT AND ME. IT IS MY BELIEVE THAT NISSAN HAS NOT BEEN DILIGENT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AND GET THIS UNSAFE CARS OFF THE ROAD. I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BY 1.) REIMBURSING ME FOR THE COST OF MY REPAIRS, 2.)REPAIR THE OTHER FAULTY SENSOR THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL THAT THEY DID NOT REPAIR THIS TIME AND 3.) REPAIR OTHERS LIKE MINE THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273124
90,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 MAXIMA STALLED OUT TWICE WHILE DRIVING, ONCE WHILE AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION DURING RUSH HOUR. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN HAD RECALLED THE 2003 MAXIMAS FOR A FAULTY CAM SENSOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL. HOWEVER, IN TYPICAL FASHION, NISSAN TOLD ME THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD …
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MY 2003 MAXIMA STALLED OUT TWICE WHILE DRIVING, ONCE WHILE AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION DURING RUSH HOUR. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN HAD RECALLED THE 2003 MAXIMAS FOR A FAULTY CAM SENSOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL. HOWEVER, IN TYPICAL FASHION, NISSAN TOLD ME THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND HE COULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE. IN THE MEANTIME, I COULD POSSIBLY BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING. MY MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN HAS CHANGED THE PART NUMBER, MEANING THAT THE PART IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH PROVES THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266311
215,000 miles · Apr 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
NHTSA ODI #10263821
87,000 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA AND AM HEARING AN ENGINE WHINE NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS REACHING HIGHER SPEEDS. I DO NOT YET HEAR IT WHEN IDLING BUT I AM TOLD ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I DO. THE NOISE SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE WHAT AN ALTERNATOR HUM IN A POORLY GROUNDED SOUND SETUP MAKES. YOU CAN TURN OFF THE RADIO AND A/C BUT YOU …
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA AND AM HEARING AN ENGINE WHINE NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS REACHING HIGHER SPEEDS. I DO NOT YET HEAR IT WHEN IDLING BUT I AM TOLD ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I DO. THE NOISE SOUNDS KIND OF LIKE WHAT AN ALTERNATOR HUM IN A POORLY GROUNDED SOUND SETUP MAKES. YOU CAN TURN OFF THE RADIO AND A/C BUT YOU CAN STILL HEAR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260747
91,953 miles · Feb 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WAS BEING OPERATED IN NORMAL FASHION WHEN IT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OFF OF ROAD SAFELY AND THEN RESTARTED, NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK CAR HOME AND CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD INVESTIGATE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE…
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CAR WAS BEING OPERATED IN NORMAL FASHION WHEN IT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OFF OF ROAD SAFELY AND THEN RESTARTED, NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK CAR HOME AND CALLED DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD INVESTIGATE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY THERE. THEY INVESTIGATE AND FOUND IT WAS A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION. HAD REPAIRS COMPLETED AND CAR WORKS FINE NOW. I ALSO NOTICED THERE WAS A SIMILAR RECALL TO MODELS LIKE MINE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000, BUT AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN DIRECTLY, THEY SAID MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260178
115,000 miles · Nov 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CAM AND CRANK SENSOR MALFU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CAM AND CRANK SENSOR MALFUNCTION (CODE P0340). THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10249685
Official recalls
3Jan 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.
May 15, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side 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 passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Nov 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR 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
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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