NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports3,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY FACTORY-INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY SPREAD TO OVER A FOOT LONG. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WITH OEM GLASS. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER REPLACEMENT, IT CRACKED AGAIN, WHILE DECELERATING ON AN OFF- RAMP. AGAIN, THE CRACK WAS IMMEDIATELY OVER…
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MY FACTORY-INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY SPREAD TO OVER A FOOT LONG. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WITH OEM GLASS. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER REPLACEMENT, IT CRACKED AGAIN, WHILE DECELERATING ON AN OFF- RAMP. AGAIN, THE CRACK WAS IMMEDIATELY OVER A FOOT LONG. BOTH TIMES, THERE WAS NO APPARENT ROCK OR REASON FOR CRACKING, NOTHING AROUND THAT WOULD HAVE KICKED SOMETHING UP. BOTH CRACKS STARTED NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NEITHER STARTED ON AN EDGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324924
25,000 miles · May 17, 2020
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND T…
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MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LISTENED TO THE RADIO AND 10 MINUTES LATER I GO TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD. AFTER I GET IT GOING THE GATE WILL BEEP CONTINUOUSLY WHILE IT IS STILL CLOSED AND I HAVE TO RESET THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO GET THE BEEPING TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED FOR POWER NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. AND YET THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11324838
39,960 miles · May 16, 2020
Service Brakes
TWICE, DURING A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ACCELERATOR KICK IN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE -- THE VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD. FIRST AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY CITY STREET, THEN 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN STOPPING TO ALLOW C…
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TWICE, DURING A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ACCELERATOR KICK IN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE -- THE VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD. FIRST AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY CITY STREET, THEN 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN STOPPING TO ALLOW CROSS TRAFFIC TO CLEAR BEFORE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. PAVEMENT WAS DRY (NO ICE, SNOW, OR WATER). I KNOW THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. CALLED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT IT IN IMMEDIATELY. OVER ABOUT A 3-WEEK PERIOD, THE DEALER EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND HAD A SAFETY ENGINEER FROM CORPORATE COME IN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE VEHICLE LOGS/DATA TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I SAID I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. WE DECIDED TO TRADE IT IN, AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE US ANY TRADE IN ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY DID GIVE US $2,500 COUPON TOWARDS A BRAND NEW, 2020, VEHICLE, WHICH WE USED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324821
36,000 miles · May 16, 2020
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
OUTBACK ACCELERATES BY ITSELF RANDOMLY. I NOTICE MOST WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN AND SWITCH FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324814
30,000 miles · May 16, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING. ONLY HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR. DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE OR WHAT I WAS DOING BUT FOR SURE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN & AS I BRAKED THE CAR ALSO ACCELERATED AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATES. IT'S BEEN AWHILE AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324803
34,500 miles · May 15, 2020
Electrical System
AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED T…
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AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 45 MINUTES. SO, I JUMPED IT AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THIS TRIP, I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE. I WAS TOLD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE OK, BUT IT STILL NEEDED CHARGING. THE CAR DID START ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER RETURNING FROM THIS TRIP. HOWEVER, THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THIS WITH A SUBARU DEALERSHIP, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, WILL TRY TO KEEP THE OUTBACK IN SERVICE WITH A TRICKLE CHARGER, AND JUMP STARTS AS NECESSARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324654
67,000 miles · May 15, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN A "T" WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WITH NO APPARENT ROCK CHIP IN WINDOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324653
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER ENGINE TURN OFF AND IN PARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324570
12,000 miles · May 9, 2020
Electrical System
VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2017. IN 2018, BATTERY DRAINED THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS: TWICE, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THIRD TIME, ANOTHER PERSON HELPED ME START MY CAR. I HAPPENED ON 9/30/18, AFTER PARKING OUTSIDE AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED AND I WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY DOESN'T CH…
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VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2017. IN 2018, BATTERY DRAINED THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS: TWICE, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THIRD TIME, ANOTHER PERSON HELPED ME START MY CAR. I HAPPENED ON 9/30/18, AFTER PARKING OUTSIDE AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED AND I WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY DOESN'T CHARGE ENOUGH DURING SHORT TRIPS. I OPTED TO BUY A CAR STARTER PORTABLE BATTERY, GIVEN THE FREQUENCY AND INCONVENIENCE OF GETTING STUCK IN PLACES. I ORDERED IT ON OCTOBER, 2018. I DON'T RECALL HOW MANY TIMES I USED THE CAR STARTER KIT IN 2019. HOWEVER, IN 2020, IT HAS BEEN ALREADY 4 TIMES I'VE HAD TO USE IT TO START MY CAR: ONCE ON 04/04/2020 AND SINCE THEN, OTHER THREE TIMES. ONCE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, AND TODAY, 05/09/20, TWICE: AFTER STOPPING, WAITING TO DRIVE INTO A FERRY, AND THEN, TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE THE FERRY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324003
8,500 miles · May 2, 2020
Unknown Or Other
SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH A FAIR SIZE HOLE IN IT! ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS CRACKED LINES IN IT. STATED WITH A SMALL STONE DING AND NOW HAS EXPENDED TO A CRACK LINE HALD WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TO ME, SUBARU HAS A GLASS ISSUE WITH MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE AUTO HAS ALL OF THE SAFETY FEATURES, SO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD I…
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SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH A FAIR SIZE HOLE IN IT! ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS CRACKED LINES IN IT. STATED WITH A SMALL STONE DING AND NOW HAS EXPENDED TO A CRACK LINE HALD WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TO ME, SUBARU HAS A GLASS ISSUE WITH MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE AUTO HAS ALL OF THE SAFETY FEATURES, SO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT CHEAP, DUE TO THE SENSOR CAMERAS. THE ROOF BLOW OUT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IT. ALSO, THE SMALL STONE DING OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IT AS WELL. ALL OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE SUBARU ON CITY STREETS. SUBARU DID REPLACE THE SUNROOF AT NO COST; THE OUTBACK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK SHORTLY AFTER HAVING SAFE LITE REPAIR THE DING. THAT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11323050
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.
Oct 6, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:knee Bolster
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Steering:column
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Aug 3, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Suspension
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
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.
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