NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility/wiper complaints
36 reportsClear category filter64,779 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Visibility/wiper
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR MY COMMUTE TO CLASS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP KIND OF LIKE A GUN SHOT. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS GETTING COLDER, AND I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 57MPH UP A HILL WITH THE CLOSEST PERSON IN FRONT OF ME TO BE A GOOD 1/2 OR 1 MILE AWAY. AS W…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FOR MY COMMUTE TO CLASS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP KIND OF LIKE A GUN SHOT. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS GETTING COLDER, AND I SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 57MPH UP A HILL WITH THE CLOSEST PERSON IN FRONT OF ME TO BE A GOOD 1/2 OR 1 MILE AWAY. AS WELL AS THERE NOT BEING ANY TREES OR ANYTHING ABOVE ME, SINCE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AT THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11151701
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2018
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED OFF THE RIGHT EDGE WITH NO VISIBLE SIGN OF ANY CHIPS.
NHTSA ODI #11080956
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2017
Power TrainStructureVisibility/wiper
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, GAS CAP DOES NOT CLOSE/OPEN PROPERLY AND "STICKS." CONSTANT BUZZING SOUND FROM WINDOWS EVEN AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED AND THE MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MOONROOF WILL CLOSE AND THEN OPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11047675
32,371 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Visibility/wiper
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRED ON 8/24/17 AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR TSB WITH CRACK STARTING FROM THE DEICER. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEWLY REPLACED WINDOW CRACKED ONCE AGAIN ON 9/19/17. THIS TIME DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT EVEN A MONTH OL…
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FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRED ON 8/24/17 AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR TSB WITH CRACK STARTING FROM THE DEICER. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEWLY REPLACED WINDOW CRACKED ONCE AGAIN ON 9/19/17. THIS TIME DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT EVEN A MONTH OLD, INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE COSTS. OEM IS ONLY OPTION FOR GLASS WITH THE EYE-SIGHT SYSTEM. EYE-SIGHT ALSO REQUIRES CALIBRATION BY DEALERSHIP WHEN GLASS IS REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SRS SYSTEM WHEN AN AIRBAG DEPLOYS. USING SUCH FRAGILE GLASS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HIGH CONSUMER COST WHEN SUBARU ONLY COVERS THE FIRST INCIDENT. MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT (LUONG V. SUBARU 4:17-CV-03160-YGR).
NHTSA ODI #11029938
17,140 miles · Oct 7, 2016
Visibility/wiper
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME MUST HAVE KICKED UP A SMALL PEBBLE THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE PUT A SMALL CHIP IN THE PASSANGER SIDE WINDSHIELD & WITHIN 1/2 AN HOUR THERE WAS A CRACK ABOUT 6" LONG RUNNING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I WENT AROUND A CLOVER LEAF EXIT TO GE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME MUST HAVE KICKED UP A SMALL PEBBLE THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE PUT A SMALL CHIP IN THE PASSANGER SIDE WINDSHIELD & WITHIN 1/2 AN HOUR THERE WAS A CRACK ABOUT 6" LONG RUNNING TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I WENT AROUND A CLOVER LEAF EXIT TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ANOTHER 6" TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE WAS VERY SMALL & SHOULD HAVE MADE NO MORE THAN A SMALL CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THE CRACK WILL NOT CONTINUE TO GROW; THE WINDSHIELD MUST HAVE SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURING FLAW IN IT. I HOPE IT IS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS I DO NOT HAVE THE $500.00+ TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT THIS TIME.?
NHTSA ODI #10914544
19,000 miles · May 14, 2016
Visibility/wiper
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND MY WINDSHIELD HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT THREE TIMES. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT (E.G.: A SMALL PIECE OF GRAVEL COMMON ON ROADWAYS) TO THE WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN HUGE CRACKS IMPEDING MY VISION. THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT SIMPLY CHIP; IT ALWAYS INSTANTLY CRACKS AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. I H…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2015 AND MY WINDSHIELD HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT THREE TIMES. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT (E.G.: A SMALL PIECE OF GRAVEL COMMON ON ROADWAYS) TO THE WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN HUGE CRACKS IMPEDING MY VISION. THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT SIMPLY CHIP; IT ALWAYS INSTANTLY CRACKS AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. I HAVE REPLACED MORE WINDSHIELDS ON THIS VEHICLE THAN ALL OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE EVER OWNED COMBINED. BECAUSE I HAVE THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SYSTEM, I AM REQUIRED TO REPLACE WITH FACTORY GLASS WHICH IS USUALLY ON BACK-ORDER; THIS GLASS IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10864920
17,500 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WENT OUTSIDE TO WASH THE CAR AND BEFORE I EVEN GOT STARTED I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED IN THE VERY CENTER AT THE BOTTOM AND TRAVELED UP AND THEN TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CRACK IS ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. NO IMPACT, VEHICLE WASN'T EVEN MOVING. THERE WAS NO CRACK THE DAY BEFORE.
NHTSA ODI #10838879
9,500 miles · Feb 17, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE OPEN INTERSTATE, THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK. THE CRACK STARTED IN THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE CORNER, UNDER THE WIPER BLADE. IN LESS THAN 30 MIN, THE CRACK EXTENDED UP AND OVER, IN-FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW AND EXTENDED TO THE CENTER. FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU CAN FEEL THE CRACK. IF YOU PUSH ON THE WINDSHI…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE OPEN INTERSTATE, THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK. THE CRACK STARTED IN THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE CORNER, UNDER THE WIPER BLADE. IN LESS THAN 30 MIN, THE CRACK EXTENDED UP AND OVER, IN-FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW AND EXTENDED TO THE CENTER. FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU CAN FEEL THE CRACK. IF YOU PUSH ON THE WINDSHIELD, YOU CAN TELL THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS WEAK, POOR QUALITY, AND A OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10836790
20,000 miles · Feb 15, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 14 MONTH'S AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD 6 TIMES DUE TO CRACKING. OTHER CARS IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE THEIR WINDSHIELDS REPLACED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOME KIND OF DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. CONTACTED SUBARU DEALER WITH NO HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10826159
2,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Visibility/wiper
1.5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING CAR, NOTICED VERTICAL ~1 INCH CRACK (WHILE DRIVING, BUT ONLY BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING INTO THE SUN) IN WINDSHIELD ABOVE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE CRACKING NOISE WINDSHIELD WAS ON BACKORDER, AND GOT REPLACED. NOTICED NEW CRACK IN SAME AREA, ON INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD. (WAS DRIVING INTO SUN, BUT …
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1.5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING CAR, NOTICED VERTICAL ~1 INCH CRACK (WHILE DRIVING, BUT ONLY BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING INTO THE SUN) IN WINDSHIELD ABOVE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE CRACKING NOISE WINDSHIELD WAS ON BACKORDER, AND GOT REPLACED. NOTICED NEW CRACK IN SAME AREA, ON INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD. (WAS DRIVING INTO SUN, BUT NO AUDIBLE NOISE) 12/11/2015 MILEAGE 6323 REPLACED WINDSHIELD 1/18/2015. MILEAGE 6508 PARKED VEHICLE UNDER LIGHT, AND NOTICE APPROXIMATELY 3 INCH SCRATCH (VERTICAL, IN SAME AREA AS THE LAST 2. WINDSHIELD WAS LESS THAN 12 HOURS OLD
NHTSA ODI #10820859
Official recalls
3Apr 27, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Aug 10, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Jun 12, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
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.
Illustration