NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
206 reports60,171 miles · Sep 12, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE STARTING AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SENSOR, CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AND CA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE STARTING AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL SENSOR, CRANK POSITION SENSOR, AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,171.
NHTSA ODI #10905868
101,000 miles · Jul 16, 2016
Engine
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT WAS MARYLAND STATE INSPECTED. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A BUSY ROAD AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS INJURED OR HIT THE STALLED CAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TWO D…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT WAS MARYLAND STATE INSPECTED. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A BUSY ROAD AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS INJURED OR HIT THE STALLED CAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TWO DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT SENSORS. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART WAS RECALLED UNDER NISSAN'S RECALL PROGRAM, SO I CALLED THEM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART EVEN THOUGH THEY REPLACED THESE PARTS BEFORE UNDER YOUR RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10885309
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ UPDATED 09/29/16.8JB
NHTSA ODI #10883669
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL; ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. (PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED IN 2014). WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. WHO IS CORRECT? CAR ALWAYS REGISTERED IN GEORGIA.
NHTSA ODI #10860571
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2016
Engine
OIL COOLER LEAK REPLACED O RING 5 TIMES REPLACED NOT FIXED YET.
NHTSA ODI #10849724
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2016
Engine
VEHICLE STALLS AT RANDOM, ROUGH/NO START, LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE LIGHT/CODE SHAFT SENSOR. SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALL FOR THIS YEAR OUR VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10826067
86,600 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Air BagsEngineService Brakes
THIS IS REFERENCE TO TWO SITUATION CONCERNING NISSAN RECALLS. IN 2014 I TOOK MY CAR TO SANSONE NISSAN DEALER ON RT 1, NJ TO TAKE CARE OF THE AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE NHTSA REF#15V287000. MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AFTER I CAME HOME A WEEK LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I DON'T THINK THE DEALER TOOK CAR…
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THIS IS REFERENCE TO TWO SITUATION CONCERNING NISSAN RECALLS. IN 2014 I TOOK MY CAR TO SANSONE NISSAN DEALER ON RT 1, NJ TO TAKE CARE OF THE AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE NHTSA REF#15V287000. MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AFTER I CAME HOME A WEEK LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I DON'T THINK THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE RECALL ISSUE, IF THEY DID MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT BE ON. I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO GIVE AUTHORIZATION TO THE DEALER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. MY SECOND ISSUE WAS ON JAN 2016, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME, THE BRAKE LOCK UP AND ALL I COULD DO WAS STAIR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD..I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BUT BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK CAME I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED. I WAS A FEW MINUTES FROM HOME, SO I DROVE BACK HOME AND I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC PICKED IT UP AND DID A DIAGNOSIS ON IT. HE SAID IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, I PURCHASED IT AND HE INSTALLED IT. THE CAR STARTED WORKING A LITTLE BETTER BUT MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT IS STILL ON. I DID A LITTLE INVESTIGATION AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL #03V455000. I READ IT AND FOUND THAT THE CONSEQUENCE ON THE RECALL IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAPPEN TO ME. AGAIN SANSONE DEALER ON RT. 1 IN NJ IS CLAIMING THAT THEY TOOK CARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THIS WAS A RECALL BY NISSAN. I WANTED NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BASED ON THE FIX UNDER NHTSA REF# 03V455000. I'VE BEEN TAKING CAR OF ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM NISSAN BUT I FEEL THAT NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TWO ISSUE, SINCE IT WAS DEFECT IN DESIGN ON THEIR END.
NHTSA ODI #10825049
147,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
NHTSA ODI #10824183
69,320 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Air Bags
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN RE: AIR BAG LIGHT ON . TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALER. WAS TOLD I NEEDED DTCB1070 ASSIST A/B MODULE. HAD R1407 PTH MAX PASS AB NTB13-062 REPLACED ON SEPT 14 2014 WHY DO I NEED THIS UNIT NOW.I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE LIGHT ON. IS MY SAFETY COMPROMISE D,IF SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO A…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN RE: AIR BAG LIGHT ON . TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALER. WAS TOLD I NEEDED DTCB1070 ASSIST A/B MODULE. HAD R1407 PTH MAX PASS AB NTB13-062 REPLACED ON SEPT 14 2014 WHY DO I NEED THIS UNIT NOW.I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE LIGHT ON. IS MY SAFETY COMPROMISE D,IF SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT . WAS!NT THAT PART OF THE RECALL.I SHOULD NOT HAVE PAY FOR A RECALLED PART. I WOULD LIKE THIS UNIT REPLACED BY THE NISSAN CORP. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10838325
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TITLE WAS RE-WORKED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO PERFORM ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TITLE WAS RE-WORKED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO PERFORM ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10809656
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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