NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports45,800 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR UNDER-HOUSE PARKING SPACE. CRACK BEGINS AT THE VERY TOP OF WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 3.5 INCHES FROM DRIVER SIDE EDGE OF WINDSHIELD, AND PROCEEDS DIAGONALLY FOR ABOUT 19 INCHES, DEFINITELY INTO DRIVER'S VIEWING AREA. NO SIGN OF ROCK OR OTHER DAMAGE ANYWHERE NEAR THIS …
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WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR UNDER-HOUSE PARKING SPACE. CRACK BEGINS AT THE VERY TOP OF WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 3.5 INCHES FROM DRIVER SIDE EDGE OF WINDSHIELD, AND PROCEEDS DIAGONALLY FOR ABOUT 19 INCHES, DEFINITELY INTO DRIVER'S VIEWING AREA. NO SIGN OF ROCK OR OTHER DAMAGE ANYWHERE NEAR THIS CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #11321984
30,000 miles · Apr 21, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT ON THE DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11321858
66,000 miles · Apr 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 30 DEC 2016. FULL WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT BY SUBARY DEALER ON 11APR2018, 1 YEAR 3 MOS FROM INITIAL PURCHASE DUE TO A SMALL ROCK HITTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PASSENGER SIDE, LOWER CORNER EDGE. 31OCT2019, 1 YEAR 6MONTHS SINCE FULL REPLACEMENT, ANOTHER CRACK APPEARS IN THE WINDSHIELD, LOWER SECTION, MIDDL…
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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 30 DEC 2016. FULL WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT BY SUBARY DEALER ON 11APR2018, 1 YEAR 3 MOS FROM INITIAL PURCHASE DUE TO A SMALL ROCK HITTING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PASSENGER SIDE, LOWER CORNER EDGE. 31OCT2019, 1 YEAR 6MONTHS SINCE FULL REPLACEMENT, ANOTHER CRACK APPEARS IN THE WINDSHIELD, LOWER SECTION, MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. THIS TIME WE WE HAD THE SPOT FILLED BECAUSE IT WAS VERY MINOR AND HAD NOT "SPIDERED". 18APRI2020, 6 MONTHS SINCE LAST CRACK, ANOTHER CRACK FROM ROCK WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE LOWER CORNER EDGE. IT SPIDERED ON IMPACT TO THE POINT THAT WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENCE VEHICLE BRANDS AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS HAD REPEAT CRACKING OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA ODI #11321515
30,000 miles · Apr 16, 2020
Power Train
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS LEAVES ME STRANDED AS I CAN NOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN MEXICO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321318
39,000 miles · Apr 6, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #11320322
70,000 miles · Mar 29, 2020
SeatsVisibility/wiper
TWO ISSUES: - WINDSHIELD - I CAME OUT OF THE GYM TO SEE A HUGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. ON THE VERY NEXT DAY AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE A WHAT I ASSUME A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. -LEATHER DRIVER CAR SEAT - WITHIN ONLY TWO YEARS OF USE, THE CAR SEAT IS RIPPED IN SEVER…
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TWO ISSUES: - WINDSHIELD - I CAME OUT OF THE GYM TO SEE A HUGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. ON THE VERY NEXT DAY AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE A WHAT I ASSUME A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND ANOTHER CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. -LEATHER DRIVER CAR SEAT - WITHIN ONLY TWO YEARS OF USE, THE CAR SEAT IS RIPPED IN SEVERAL PLACES. NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED TO WARRANT SUCH RIPS.
NHTSA ODI #11319635
6,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WINDSHIELDS, PARTICULARLY THE EYESIGHT EQUIPPED MODELS, ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO CRACKING, ARGUABLY DEFECTIVE. 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING NEW, I GOT A ROCK CHIP WHILE DRIVING. WHEN GETTING IT REPAIRED IT SPIDERWEBBED, REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. 2 WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT(AT THE PRICE OF $900), IT GOT ANOTHER ROCK…
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WINDSHIELDS, PARTICULARLY THE EYESIGHT EQUIPPED MODELS, ARE EXTREMELY PRONE TO CRACKING, ARGUABLY DEFECTIVE. 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING NEW, I GOT A ROCK CHIP WHILE DRIVING. WHEN GETTING IT REPAIRED IT SPIDERWEBBED, REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. 2 WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT(AT THE PRICE OF $900), IT GOT ANOTHER ROCK CHIP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. A YEAR LATER IT GOT ANOTHER ROCK CHIP WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING, AND A CRACK HAS STARTED TO SPREAD DESPITE BEING REPAIRED. DEPENDING ON HOW FAR IT SPREADS, I'LL BE ON THE THIRD WINDSHIELD IN LESS THAN 50K MILES/3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. MY OTHER HIGH MILEAGE CARS(130K AND 225K) ARE BOTH STILL ON ORIGINAL FACTORY GLASS.
NHTSA ODI #11319254
51,000 miles · Mar 23, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN THAT KILLS THE BATTERY. THE CAR WON'T START MAKING THE VEHICLE UNRELIABLE. THIS IS A ROUTINE ISSUE WITH SUBARU AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11319014
44,000 miles · Mar 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper
I HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 OUTBACK 02/14/2020 AND AGAIN ON 03/21/2020. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIRECT IMPACT ON MY WINDSHIELD. ADVANCED AUTO GLASS IN WEATHERFORD, TX WAS THE GLASS COMPANY THAT DID THE REPLACEMENT. THEN THE SECOND TIME DIDN'T NOTICE CRACK EITHER. NEVER HEARD IMPACT. BUT ADVANCED SHOWED ME A SMALL PIN S…
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I HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 OUTBACK 02/14/2020 AND AGAIN ON 03/21/2020. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIRECT IMPACT ON MY WINDSHIELD. ADVANCED AUTO GLASS IN WEATHERFORD, TX WAS THE GLASS COMPANY THAT DID THE REPLACEMENT. THEN THE SECOND TIME DIDN'T NOTICE CRACK EITHER. NEVER HEARD IMPACT. BUT ADVANCED SHOWED ME A SMALL PIN SIZED IMPACT AREA IN THE LOWER PART OF WINDSHIELD, THE PART THAT'S BLACK. THE CRACK WAS TOO LONG TO JUST FIX. SO WAITED TILL THE CRACK EXTENDED TO IN FROM OF DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #11319006
45,000 miles · Mar 21, 2020
Tires
TIRE FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE. TIRES NOT PASSING SAFETY INSPECTION AFTER APPX 20,000 USE. TREAD DOWN TO 4//32. TIRES PURCHASED AT COSTCO . LINE IS MICHELIN PREMIER A/S . MULTI VISITS TO COSTCO TO INSPECT AFTER TWO INDEPENDENT TIRE INSPECTORS STATED THEY WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION WITH WEAR BARES CLOSE TO TREAD SUFACE. COSTCO…
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TIRE FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE. TIRES NOT PASSING SAFETY INSPECTION AFTER APPX 20,000 USE. TREAD DOWN TO 4//32. TIRES PURCHASED AT COSTCO . LINE IS MICHELIN PREMIER A/S . MULTI VISITS TO COSTCO TO INSPECT AFTER TWO INDEPENDENT TIRE INSPECTORS STATED THEY WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION WITH WEAR BARES CLOSE TO TREAD SUFACE. COSTCO REFUSED TO CALL FAILURE STATING THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF TIRES. THE RATING WAS AT LEAST 60.000 MILES. THERE WAS A RECENT ROAD HAZARD THAT PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE AND COSTCO WANTED TO CHARGE FOR NEW FRONT TIRE. VERY UNSTATISFIED WITH TIRES, FREQUENT SLIPPING AND LOSS OF TRACTION ON SNOW AND RAIN. UNSAFE.
NHTSA ODI #11318874
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