NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility/wiper complaints
36 reportsClear category filter20 miles · Dec 30, 2015
StructureVisibility/wiper
BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING IT HOME, HAD THE DEFROST ON CAUSE THE WINDOW KEPT FOGGING UP WHEN I HEARD A CRACK AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP WHERE THE DEFROSTER IS AND THEY WONT REPLACE IT, ON TOP OF THE WHERE U PUT GAS IN THE CAR IT STUCK SHUT AND THEY TOLD ME TO PRY IT OPEN N LEAVE IT OPEN TILL THEY GET A …
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BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING IT HOME, HAD THE DEFROST ON CAUSE THE WINDOW KEPT FOGGING UP WHEN I HEARD A CRACK AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP WHERE THE DEFROSTER IS AND THEY WONT REPLACE IT, ON TOP OF THE WHERE U PUT GAS IN THE CAR IT STUCK SHUT AND THEY TOLD ME TO PRY IT OPEN N LEAVE IT OPEN TILL THEY GET A PART BUT IT IS ON BACK ORDER SO DON'T NO WHEN I WILL GET IT FIXED THAT OCCURRED THIS MONTH ON THE GAS OPENER 12/30/2015
NHTSA ODI #10816960
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2015
Visibility/wiper
I HAVE A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. ON DEC 8TH, 2015, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, I.E. OIL CHANGE FILTER, TIRE ROTATION, SYSTEM CHECKS AND FLUID LEVELS, ETC. I WAITED FOR THE CAR. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THE WINDSHIELD IN THE SERVICE BAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK (HORSESHOE SH…
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I HAVE A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. ON DEC 8TH, 2015, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, I.E. OIL CHANGE FILTER, TIRE ROTATION, SYSTEM CHECKS AND FLUID LEVELS, ETC. I WAITED FOR THE CAR. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT THE WINDSHIELD IN THE SERVICE BAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK (HORSESHOE SHAPED) AROUND THE CENTER TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE I HAD THE CAR WASHED AND I WIPED OFF THE WINDOWS MYSELF PRIOR TO GOING UP TO THE DEALERS. I WOULD HAVE NOTICED THE CRACK. THERE IS NO DING OR STAR SHAPE MARK THAT I CAN SEE ON THE WINDOW. IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE CRACK STARTED ON THE INSIDE AROUND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AREA. I HAVE READ QUITE A FEW REPORTS OF UNEXPLAINED CRACKS IN LEGACY AND OUTBACKS. 2015 MODELS. IT APPEARS TO BE A WINDSHIELD DEFECT. I'M WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. THEY BETTER NOT GIVE ME A HARD TIME BECAUSE I AM THEIR WORST NIGHTMARE. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO IS A REPUTABLE DEALER, I JUST HOPE THEY DO THE RIGHT THING. *DT
NHTSA ODI #10811354
4,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Visibility/wiper
THREE MONTHS INTO OWNING MY NEW SUBARU LEGACY, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, RESULTING IN A VISIBLE CHIP. IT DID NOT TURN INTO A CRACK, SO I DIDN'T GET IT FILLED. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD HAS INCURRED MULTIPLE OTHER CHIPS FROM VERY SMALL PIECES OF ROCK/GRAVEL. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A WEAK WIN…
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THREE MONTHS INTO OWNING MY NEW SUBARU LEGACY, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, RESULTING IN A VISIBLE CHIP. IT DID NOT TURN INTO A CRACK, SO I DIDN'T GET IT FILLED. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD HAS INCURRED MULTIPLE OTHER CHIPS FROM VERY SMALL PIECES OF ROCK/GRAVEL. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A WEAK WINDSHIELD, AND IT'S SERIOUSLY CONCERNING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED OTHER SMALL ISSUES WITH THE CAR AS WELL, INCLUDING A STRANGE PITCH IN THE VEHICLE HORN AND A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. ALL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED TO THE DEALER, BUT NONE WERE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #10789844
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2015
Visibility/wiper
HERD A SMALL NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MILES/HR. NOT SEEN ANY CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. BUT AFTER FEW HOURS, SAW A CHIP MARK AND WITHIN ONE DAY THE CRACK DEVELOPED TO 2FOOT LENGTH. THE MANUFACTURER SENT ME A LETTER SAYING THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON THE DEICER AREA AND CRACKS ON THIS AREA IS COVERED. MY CRACK IS LIT…
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HERD A SMALL NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MILES/HR. NOT SEEN ANY CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. BUT AFTER FEW HOURS, SAW A CHIP MARK AND WITHIN ONE DAY THE CRACK DEVELOPED TO 2FOOT LENGTH. THE MANUFACTURER SENT ME A LETTER SAYING THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON THE DEICER AREA AND CRACKS ON THIS AREA IS COVERED. MY CRACK IS LITTLE ABOVE THIS AREA AND THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS. PLEASE ADVICE ME. THANKS KOSHY
NHTSA ODI #10789767
2,100 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Visibility/wiper
I PACKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE PERFECTLY OK THEN IN THE MORNING IT HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ABOUT 6 IN. I HAD THE CAR FOR 6 WEEKS AND ODOMETER WAS AT 2100 MIL. IT CRACKED IN THE DRIVER SIDE UP AND NOW IS ALMOST IN THE OTHER SIDE IN WEIRD PATHER UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN . I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS A VERY…
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I PACKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE PERFECTLY OK THEN IN THE MORNING IT HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD ABOUT 6 IN. I HAD THE CAR FOR 6 WEEKS AND ODOMETER WAS AT 2100 MIL. IT CRACKED IN THE DRIVER SIDE UP AND NOW IS ALMOST IN THE OTHER SIDE IN WEIRD PATHER UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN . I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS A VERY SMALL CHIP THEREFORE IS NOT COVERED BY BUMPER TO BUMPER -). LATER I WENT TO FAST GLASS - THEY ARE NOT THRILLED TO CHANGE IT - REASON BEEN THEY DID A LOT OF NEW SUBARU WITH ORIGINAL GLASS AND THEN 1 -2 WEEKS LATER SAME PEOPLE ARE BACK WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. ..THEY ARE WILLING TO SUPORT MY CLAIM.
NHTSA ODI #10786891
2,850 miles · Oct 22, 2015
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK A FEW INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM TOWARD THE CENTER CLOSER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS 3 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NO KNOWN STONE HIT AND NO OBVIOUS STARTING POINT FOR THE CRACK. CRACK SPREAD OVER THE NEXT DAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COS…
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WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK A FEW INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM TOWARD THE CENTER CLOSER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS 3 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. THERE WAS NO KNOWN STONE HIT AND NO OBVIOUS STARTING POINT FOR THE CRACK. CRACK SPREAD OVER THE NEXT DAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $500.
NHTSA ODI #10785281
1,500 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED SMALL CRACK. GREW OVER TIME. SUBARU HAD NEW PARTS UNDER NATIONAL BACKORDER. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF CRACKS DEVELOPING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS. SEE:HTTP://LEGACYGT.COM/FORUMS/
NHTSA ODI #10758713
8,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Visibility/wiper
ON JULY 13, 2015, IN THE MORNING I SAW A CRACK THAT HADN'T BEEN ON MY WINDSHIELD THERE THE DAY BEFORE HAD STARTED LOW IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE CORNER OF MY 9- MONTH OLD 2015 LEGACY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS IT GREW INCHES A DAY, STRAIGHT UP AND ANOTHER CRACK TOWARDS THE DRIVING SIDE. NO OBVIOUS CAUSE - NO ROCK HIT NOR …
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ON JULY 13, 2015, IN THE MORNING I SAW A CRACK THAT HADN'T BEEN ON MY WINDSHIELD THERE THE DAY BEFORE HAD STARTED LOW IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE CORNER OF MY 9- MONTH OLD 2015 LEGACY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS IT GREW INCHES A DAY, STRAIGHT UP AND ANOTHER CRACK TOWARDS THE DRIVING SIDE. NO OBVIOUS CAUSE - NO ROCK HIT NOR "STAR" TO START IT. THE DEALER IN SAID WINDSHIELDS ARE ON BACK ORDER, AND WANT $839 FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION. I STILL HAVEN'T HAD IT REPLACED, WAITING TO SEE IF SUBARU IS GOING TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY, SINCE THE INTERNET IS FILLING UP WITH SIMILAR ACCOUNTS.
NHTSA ODI #10749296
7,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Visibility/wiper
IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING AROUND OUR AREA, MY WIFE & I PARKED OUR NEW 2015 SUBARU LEGACY FOR AN HOUR TO DO SOME SHOPPING. WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE CAR, WE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD, WHERE THERE HADN'T BEEN ONE BEFORE. WE DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER, WHERE THEY NOTICED …
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IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING AROUND OUR AREA, MY WIFE & I PARKED OUR NEW 2015 SUBARU LEGACY FOR AN HOUR TO DO SOME SHOPPING. WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE CAR, WE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD, WHERE THERE HADN'T BEEN ONE BEFORE. WE DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER, WHERE THEY NOTICED A VERY SMALL DING JUST BELOW THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER, WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED CRACK COMING FROM THE DING. FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF CLOSE TO 50 YEARS OF DRIVING, THIS IS THE FIRST EVER NON-CRASH WINDSHIELD PROBLEM I'VE HAD THAT'S HAD A PROGRESSIVE CRACK, AND THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR! I'M READING THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM!
NHTSA ODI #10747432
2,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
SeatsVisibility/wiper
OUR WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT GREW OVER TWO DAYS AND NOW EXTENDS HALF THE WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE DISCOVERED THIS CRACK WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THIS CRACK. WE HAVE NO MEMORY OF HITTING OR BEING HIT BY ANY OBJECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH SPONTANEOUS CRACKS HAVE APPE…
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OUR WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT GREW OVER TWO DAYS AND NOW EXTENDS HALF THE WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE DISCOVERED THIS CRACK WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR THIS CRACK. WE HAVE NO MEMORY OF HITTING OR BEING HIT BY ANY OBJECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH SPONTANEOUS CRACKS HAVE APPEARED ON OTHER SUBARU OUTBACKS AND LEGACIES.
NHTSA ODI #10735049
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