NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
643 reports1,000 miles · May 14, 2016
Steering
I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC NIGHT LEAVING A SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON A SATURDAY MORNING. THE CAR WAS AT A FULL STOP BEFORE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10-15 MILES/HR, JUST VERY SLOW. MY SUBARU DIDN'T RESPONSE TO MY STEERING. INSTEAD OF MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN, I WAS STUCK AT 30, 45 DEGREES ANGLE. TO AV…
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I TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC NIGHT LEAVING A SCHOOL PARKING LOT ON A SATURDAY MORNING. THE CAR WAS AT A FULL STOP BEFORE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10-15 MILES/HR, JUST VERY SLOW. MY SUBARU DIDN'T RESPONSE TO MY STEERING. INSTEAD OF MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN, I WAS STUCK AT 30, 45 DEGREES ANGLE. TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, I THEN CAN REGAIN MY CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #10864883
6,000 miles · May 13, 2016
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO LARGE CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
NHTSA ODI #10864799
2,750 miles · May 3, 2016
Visibility/wiper
SECOND WINDSHIELD CRACK IN 10 DAYS. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN, I TURNED ON THE FRONT DE-FOGGER. APPROX 20 SECONDS LATER THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE CENTER BOTTOM UP AND TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK CURRENTLY EXTENDS UP ABOUT 8 INCHES. AS BEFORE, THERE WAS NO STRIKE THAT CAUSED THIS AND PAVEMENT WAS CLEAN AND …
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SECOND WINDSHIELD CRACK IN 10 DAYS. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN, I TURNED ON THE FRONT DE-FOGGER. APPROX 20 SECONDS LATER THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE CENTER BOTTOM UP AND TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK CURRENTLY EXTENDS UP ABOUT 8 INCHES. AS BEFORE, THERE WAS NO STRIKE THAT CAUSED THIS AND PAVEMENT WAS CLEAN AND SMOOTH. THIS WAS A NEW SUBARU BRANDED WINDSHIELD THAT WAS INSTALLED LITERALLY 4 DAYS AGO. GOING BACK IN TO THE SERVICE DEPT FOR REPAIR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #10862777
2,578 miles · May 3, 2016
Visibility/wiper
CAR HAD 2578 MILES ON IT. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING AT PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDING APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES TOWARD DRIVER SIDE. WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO NO EVIDENCE OF A STRIKE CAUSING IT. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED …
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CAR HAD 2578 MILES ON IT. WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING AT PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDING APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES TOWARD DRIVER SIDE. WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPT AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO NO EVIDENCE OF A STRIKE CAUSING IT. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED WITH SUBARU BRANDED PART 6 DAYS LATER THROUGH SUBARU BUT BY THEN THE CRACK HAD GROWN TO APPROX. 18INCHS.
NHTSA ODI #10862769
1,973 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Visibility/wiper
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW 2/25/2016. 1990 MILEAGE. CRACKS DEVELOPED WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. NO SOUNDS OF STONES HITTING GLASS AT ANY TIME DURING DRIVE. STOPPED TO WASH WINDSHIELD AT GAS STOP. DID NOT NOTICE CRACKS UNTIL LATER IN DRIVE. AC WAS TURNED ON & OFF DURING DRIVE, IF THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE. DRIVEN 500 MILES IN MODESTLY WARM …
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VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW 2/25/2016. 1990 MILEAGE. CRACKS DEVELOPED WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. NO SOUNDS OF STONES HITTING GLASS AT ANY TIME DURING DRIVE. STOPPED TO WASH WINDSHIELD AT GAS STOP. DID NOT NOTICE CRACKS UNTIL LATER IN DRIVE. AC WAS TURNED ON & OFF DURING DRIVE, IF THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE. DRIVEN 500 MILES IN MODESTLY WARM SUNNY WEATHER IN 8 HRS THAT DAY,4/24/2016. CRACK PROGRESSED TO DRIVERS LINE OF SITE WITHIN ONE HOURS TIME. WAS INFORMED BY SUBARU DEALER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. REPAIR IS MY EXPENSE.
NHTSA ODI #10861402
2,300 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10861245
1,600 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD PREMATURELY FAILED AND CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND HAD A DEALER SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO INVESTIGATE HOW THE WINDSHIELD GLASS PREMATURELY CRACKED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.
NHTSA ODI #10860989
1,682 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Structure
AT 9AM ON APRIL 20, 2016, I WALKED PAST THE FRONT OF MY OUTBACK, PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF, IN MY GARAGE. THE REAR TAILGATE SUDDENLY BEEPED AND OPENED FULLY. I HAD NO KEY FOB OPENERS ON MY PERSON NOR WERE ANY OF MY TWO KEY FOBS WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALL DOORS HAD BEEN IN A CLOSED POSITION, INCLUDING THE TAI…
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AT 9AM ON APRIL 20, 2016, I WALKED PAST THE FRONT OF MY OUTBACK, PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF, IN MY GARAGE. THE REAR TAILGATE SUDDENLY BEEPED AND OPENED FULLY. I HAD NO KEY FOB OPENERS ON MY PERSON NOR WERE ANY OF MY TWO KEY FOBS WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALL DOORS HAD BEEN IN A CLOSED POSITION, INCLUDING THE TAILGATE, BUT THE CAR WAS NOT LOCKED AT THE TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, OR IF IT OPENED WHILE PARKED UNDER A LOW CEILING OR OVERHEAD, OF IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN IN A PUBLIC SPACE WHERE AN INTRUDER WOULD THEN BE TEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE IN HOPES OF STEALING IT OR TO LIE IN WAIT FOR THE OPERATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10860578
6,000 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING AREA. THERE WAS A SMALL CHIP IN THE DEICER AREA WHERE THE CRACK BEGAN. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THE STRIKE WAS MINOR AND WOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY REPAIRED BEFORE SPREADING. ALREADY HAD ONE CHIP REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER MINOR STRIKE. WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVELY FRAGILE WHICH COULD R…
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WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING AREA. THERE WAS A SMALL CHIP IN THE DEICER AREA WHERE THE CRACK BEGAN. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THE STRIKE WAS MINOR AND WOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY REPAIRED BEFORE SPREADING. ALREADY HAD ONE CHIP REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER MINOR STRIKE. WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVELY FRAGILE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. DEALER IS WILLING TO REPAIR, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF GLASS BEING USED IN THE SUBARU.
NHTSA ODI #10854576
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2016
Steering
STEERING WONDERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CAN'NT HOLD IN CENTER OF LANE. ON HIGHWAY OR STREET
NHTSA ODI #10853905
Official recalls
4Dec 19, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
May 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.
Nov 24, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016 Legacy vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 16, 2015, and Outback vehicles manufactured October 24, 2015, to November 17, 2015. Due to the improper tightening of the securing nuts, the drive shaft may separate from the rear differential.
Consequence: If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fastening nuts, and tighten or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is WQV-57.
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: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.
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.
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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