NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reportsMileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Power Train
AFTER MOVING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL BACKWARD IF ON AN INCLINE. THERE IS THEN A SURGE FORWARD WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE. ALSO, ON A COLD START WHEN TEMP. IS BELOW 0 TRANS WILL STAY 1-2 GEARS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD FOR > 5 M…
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AFTER MOVING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN NEUTRAL UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED ALLOWING CAR TO ROLL BACKWARD IF ON AN INCLINE. THERE IS THEN A SURGE FORWARD WHEN IT DOES ENGAGE. ALSO, ON A COLD START WHEN TEMP. IS BELOW 0 TRANS WILL STAY 1-2 GEARS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD FOR > 5 MILES ALLOWING FOR EXCESSIVE ENGINE RPMS. AFTER TAKING CAR TO DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH THESE CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10863000
16,250 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM DRIVERS SIDE BOTTOM CORNER ACROSS THE MID LINE ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT FROM AN ROCK OR OBJECT. CRACK BEGUN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND WITHIN 45 SECONDS EXTENDED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO THE MID POINT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACK IS IN DRIVERS…
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WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM DRIVERS SIDE BOTTOM CORNER ACROSS THE MID LINE ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT FROM AN ROCK OR OBJECT. CRACK BEGUN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND WITHIN 45 SECONDS EXTENDED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO THE MID POINT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CRACK IS IN DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT, AND A SAFETY HAZARD. TOOK IT TO DEALER, WHO RESPONDED, THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL. PULLED OVER AND FOUND NO IMPACT OR ROCK CHIP ANYWHERE ALONG CRACK. WINDSHIELD DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10862102
27,156 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A CRACK APPEARED IN MY WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT FORMED AN REVERSE L ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK APPEARED BEFORE MY EYES AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10860865
10,000 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Visibility/wiper
SUBARU 2015 WINDSHIELD CRACK: DRIVING INTO ALBUQUERQUE NM FROM SANTA FE ON HWY25, I SAW A CRACK APPEAR IN MY WINDSHIELD, FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE NEXT DAY IT HAD GROWN INTO AN L SHAPE.IN 2 MORE DAYS IT HAD GROWN TO AN S SHAPE. I DID NOT SEE ANY CARS CLOSE BY OR ANY ROCK AT THE TIME THE CRACK APPEARED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEAL…
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SUBARU 2015 WINDSHIELD CRACK: DRIVING INTO ALBUQUERQUE NM FROM SANTA FE ON HWY25, I SAW A CRACK APPEAR IN MY WINDSHIELD, FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE NEXT DAY IT HAD GROWN INTO AN L SHAPE.IN 2 MORE DAYS IT HAD GROWN TO AN S SHAPE. I DID NOT SEE ANY CARS CLOSE BY OR ANY ROCK AT THE TIME THE CRACK APPEARED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD TO COME IN ON 4-27-16 FOR MY ANNUAL MAINTENANCE, BUT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CRACK KEPT GROWING. I WENT TO THE ALBUQUERQUE GARCIA DEALER TODAY 4-14-16, I WAS TOLD A TINY PINPOINT SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD INDICATED A ROCK HAD CAUSED THE CRACK TO START. BUT I HAVE DRIVEN CARS FOR 40 YEARS AND NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS DRAMATIC. I NOW HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE AND MOST VICTIMS BELIEVE THE FLEXING OF THE CAR BODY MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CRACK. THE FRAGILITY OF THIS WINDSHIELD MAKES THIS CAR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BELIEVE THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10855598
11,787 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Visibility/wiper
6-8 INCH CRACK IN WINDSHIELD, NO ROCK IMPACT OR PREVIOUS DAMAGE. WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE REPLACED AND EYESIGHT SYSTEM RE-CALIBRATED. CRACK OCCURRED DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, NO TRUCKS IN THE AREA, NOT CLOSE TO OTHER CARS.
NHTSA ODI #10855185
9,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Visibility/wiper
ON 2/11/2016, I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 OUTBACK ON HIGHWAY 50 NEAR FOLSOM, CA. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WITH IN 300 FEET. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I NOTICED THERE WAS A 5 TO 6 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD LOCATED THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER. ALTHOUGH LATER ON WE FOUND THERE WAS A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, NO BODY ON T…
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ON 2/11/2016, I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 OUTBACK ON HIGHWAY 50 NEAR FOLSOM, CA. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WITH IN 300 FEET. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I NOTICED THERE WAS A 5 TO 6 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD LOCATED THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER. ALTHOUGH LATER ON WE FOUND THERE WAS A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, NO BODY ON THE CAR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, NOR SAW ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THAT CRACK BECAME A TWO FEET LONG CRACK FROM THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. AND IT KEEP REFLECTING STRONG LIGHTS FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WHICH MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE THINGS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD I HAVE WITHIN ONE YEAR'S OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR. THE FIRST ONE WAS CRACKED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF A COSTCO WAREHOUSE. LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINS FILED AGAINST THE 2015 AND 2016 OUTBACK ON NHTSA, ALMOST 50% COMPLAINS ARE ABOUT WINDSHIELD CRACKING ISSUE. THIS RATIO IS THE WAY HIGHER THAN SIMILAR VEHICLES AND PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS. ALTHOUGH SUBARU EXTENDED WIND SHIELD WARRANTY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. THAT'S WHY 2016 OUTBACK OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO SAME SITUATION. PLEASE STEP IN AND URGE SUBARU TO DELIVER A REAL SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10853907
36,573 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Wheels
AT 36,573 MILES 5/26/15 HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AT 79,176 MILES 12/16/15 HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AT 94,957 MILES 4/1/16 HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING. CAR BECOMES UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING.
NHTSA ODI #10853717
15 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Steering
IN MOTION.ON COUNTRY ROAD. THERE IS A GAP IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHERE I GOT MY FINGER CAUGHT WHILE TURNING RIGHT. VERY SHARP PAIN WHILE RETURNING THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHT. HAD TO MORE THE WHEEL RIGHT AGAIN TO REMOVE MY FINGER. COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PROBLEM. I WAS NOW ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD AND ENDED UP ON RIGHT…
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IN MOTION.ON COUNTRY ROAD. THERE IS A GAP IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHERE I GOT MY FINGER CAUGHT WHILE TURNING RIGHT. VERY SHARP PAIN WHILE RETURNING THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHT. HAD TO MORE THE WHEEL RIGHT AGAIN TO REMOVE MY FINGER. COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PROBLEM. I WAS NOW ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD AND ENDED UP ON RIGHT SHOULDER AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO EXTRICATE MY FINGER. I SUPPOSE ONE COULD LOSE PART OF FINGER OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10853490
23,750 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AS IT BEGAN TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AS IT BEGAN TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,750.
NHTSA ODI #10846433
7,500 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Suspension
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT LESS THAN 8000 MILES. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALER. NO HISTORY OF DRIVING THROUGH WATER OR ACCIDENT. LARGE PORTION OF DRIVING DOES OCCUR ON MILD MOUNTAIN ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10840349
Official recalls
5May 11, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Apr 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.
Sep 19, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.
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