NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports31,952 miles · Aug 19, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control
YESTERDAY MORNING, I STOPPED MY SUBARU IN ORDER TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING FULL-THROTTLE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM G…
Read full complaint
YESTERDAY MORNING, I STOPPED MY SUBARU IN ORDER TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING FULL-THROTTLE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM GOING DOWN THE HILLSIDE BEHIND THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE REVVING FULL-THROTTLE AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY ' UNTIL TODAY. TODAY, MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF MY GARAGE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ' UNTIL, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE. AGAIN THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED FULL-THROTTLE. AS I WAS MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, I AGAIN HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM BACKING INTO MY GARAGE DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY SUBARU DEALER BUT COULD NOT REACH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER 10-12 RINGS I GOT A MESSAGE INSTRUCTING ME TO LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK SINCE THEY WERE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HEAVY CALL VOLUME DUE TO AN INCREASE IN RECALL ISSUES. I CALLED BACK AND GOT THROUGH TO SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY SAID THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM ON SUBARU OUTBACKS.
NHTSA ODI #11245002
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other
HESITATES FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS FROM A STOP WITHOUT WARNING. HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW JAN. 2017. REPORTED TO SERVICE DEPT AT DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE. REPORTED IT TO SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICES. THEY REFUSE TO CHECK INTO IT AND SAY IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. I AM VERY CAREFUL ABOUT PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AS I NE…
Read full complaint
HESITATES FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS FROM A STOP WITHOUT WARNING. HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW JAN. 2017. REPORTED TO SERVICE DEPT AT DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE. REPORTED IT TO SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICES. THEY REFUSE TO CHECK INTO IT AND SAY IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. I AM VERY CAREFUL ABOUT PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. IT ALSO HAS A ROUGH IDLE. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES IN THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #11244441
45,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD (123 BROADWAY AVE, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (440) 439-3444) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD (123 BROADWAY AVE, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (440) 439-3444) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 146834249388. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #11243723
37,000 miles · Aug 12, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ACCELERATED THROUGH THE LIGHT AND AFTER 100-200 YARDS, THE CAR ACCELERATED WIDE-OPEN ON ITS OWN. I HIT ONE CAR ON THE RIGHT REAR AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. ALL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #11243424
25,000 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-80 IN NEBRASKA. WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND, HER SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR ANYTHING AHEAD FO THE EVENT. LUCKILY THE HEADLINER SHADE WAS CLOSED SO THE DIDN'T GET HIT BY GLASS AND WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY.
NHTSA ODI #11242972
50,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN IN PARK. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ONLINE, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME TO CHECK WHAT THE ISSUE IS. WHEN IN PARK, STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT, NOT ON A SLOPE, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CAN TURN IT OFF, BUT CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. SOMETIMES JIGGLING, SOMETIMES STARTING AND T…
Read full complaint
CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN IN PARK. MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ONLINE, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME TO CHECK WHAT THE ISSUE IS. WHEN IN PARK, STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT, NOT ON A SLOPE, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CAN TURN IT OFF, BUT CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY. SOMETIMES JIGGLING, SOMETIMES STARTING AND TURNING BACK OFF, AND SOMETIMES STARTING, PUTTING IN DRIVE, AND SLAMMING THE SHIFTER INTO PARK AGAIN SOLVES THE ISSUE, BUT SOMETIMES NOT. SPENT OVER 20 MINUTES TODAY TRYING TO GET IT OUT, DROVE TO THE DEALER, AND IT CAME OUT WITHOUT AN ISSUE. NO CONSISTENCY TO THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11240809
17,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DIMMERS FOR THE REARVIEW MIRRORS. SHE STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE MIRRORS AND THE MIRRORS THEMSELVES WERE TOO DARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD TINTED WINDOWS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUNNING SUBARU (3771 JACKSON RD, ANN A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DIMMERS FOR THE REARVIEW MIRRORS. SHE STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE MIRRORS AND THE MIRRORS THEMSELVES WERE TOO DARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD TINTED WINDOWS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUNNING SUBARU (3771 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 662-3444) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TINTED WINDOWS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA ODI #11240273
17,350 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other
REPEATED ISSUES WITH REAR LIFT GATE. INCLUDING NOT OPENING AND STICKING AN ANIMAL IN THE BACK AND NOT SHUTTING COMPLETING HOWEVER GIVING THE INDICATION OF SHUT. TODAY 7-25-19, I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR AND THE LIFTGATE NOT SHUT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH DURING THE MORNING COMMUNICATE. THERE WAS NO SA…
Read full complaint
REPEATED ISSUES WITH REAR LIFT GATE. INCLUDING NOT OPENING AND STICKING AN ANIMAL IN THE BACK AND NOT SHUTTING COMPLETING HOWEVER GIVING THE INDICATION OF SHUT. TODAY 7-25-19, I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR AND THE LIFTGATE NOT SHUT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH DURING THE MORNING COMMUNICATE. THERE WAS NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER UNTIL 10 MINUTES LATER. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IT APPEARED TO BE SHUT HOWEVER I HAD TO PUSH ON THE BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO SHUT IT. LUCKILY MY DOG WAS NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, BUT THIS CAN POSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF ACTUALLY CAME OPEN. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING IF THEY CANNOT RECREATE IT THEY ONLY RESET THE SENSOR. THIS WAS THE FINAL DRAW FOR ME AND I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. NOTE: PICTURE TAKEN WAS WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11234759
40,400 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND CHIPS WAY TOO EASILY.
NHTSA ODI #11233791
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other
DRIVER FRONT DOOR LOCK AND UNLOCK FAILED. DOESN'T OPERATE WITH FOB OR KEY. LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERIOR SWITCH DOESN'T WORK EITHER,NO AFFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11231323
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