NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports38,000 miles · May 16, 2019
Electrical System
ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY IS TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BACK IN TO PARK (WITH MORE FORCE). THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY. MY WARRANTY IS FOR 36K MILES OR 3 YEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT …
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ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE REMOVED. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY IS TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND BACK IN TO PARK (WITH MORE FORCE). THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEY. MY WARRANTY IS FOR 36K MILES OR 3 YEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 38K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11208057
45,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other
ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY ROCK (I THINK) HIT AT TOP NEAR EDGE AND CRACK INSTANTLY RAN DOWN AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, TOOK ALL DAY BECAUSE THE FIRST WINDSHIELD THEY INSTALLED BROKE, SO THEY HAD TO PUT IN A SECOND. A WEEK LATER HEARD A LOUD POP, LIKE A ROCK HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDO…
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ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY ROCK (I THINK) HIT AT TOP NEAR EDGE AND CRACK INSTANTLY RAN DOWN AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT, TOOK ALL DAY BECAUSE THE FIRST WINDSHIELD THEY INSTALLED BROKE, SO THEY HAD TO PUT IN A SECOND. A WEEK LATER HEARD A LOUD POP, LIKE A ROCK HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOW CRACKED FROM JUST ABOVE THE WIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UP AND TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IF IT WAS A ROCK IT COULDN'T HAVE CAME DIRECTLY IN BUT WOULD HAVE HAD BEEN LOBBED AS A STRAIGHT IN SHOT WOULD HAVE CLIPPED THE WIPER AND THE WIPER HAS NO DAMAGE. THERE IS A VERY SMALL DING IN THE WINDSHIELD, CERTAINLY NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CRACK THAT WOULD INSTANTLY RUN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY A 1000 WINDSHIELD THAT I HAD FOR A WEEK. I DON'T THINK THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IS SOUND IF A SMALL ROCK DINGS THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES IT TO CRACK. IF SOMETHING OF SIZE WERE TO HIT IT I THINK IT WOULD LIKEY BREAK THROUGH AND COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE. WINDSHIELDS ARE BUILT TO WITHSTAND SERIOUS IMPACT WITHOUT CRACKING. SOME NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. I'VE SEEN MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THIS ONLINE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. SUBARU NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE WITH SAFE GLASS AND THEY NEED TO REIMBURSE ALL THOSE LIKE ME THAT HAVE INCURRED RIDICULOUS EXPENSE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11207625
19,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS WITH THE DEFROSTER ON. I HEARD A LARGE POP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I WASN'T BEHIND ANY TRAFFIC. THE CRACKED STARTED AT THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON MY WAY HOME LATER THAT DAY WITH THE WINDSHIELD THE CRACK GREW AN ADDITIONAL 6 INCHES. I ORIGINALLY T…
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WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS WITH THE DEFROSTER ON. I HEARD A LARGE POP. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I WASN'T BEHIND ANY TRAFFIC. THE CRACKED STARTED AT THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON MY WAY HOME LATER THAT DAY WITH THE WINDSHIELD THE CRACK GREW AN ADDITIONAL 6 INCHES. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT BUT THEN I SEEN SOMEONE ELSE'S POST ON NEWER MODEL SUBARU WINDSHIELDS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE INCIDENTS EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE. I KNOW THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN 2017 ON THE 2015-2016 MODEL WINDSHIELDS, BUT I READ ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS IN THE 2017 TO PRESENT MODELS. THIS ISN'T SAFE. TORQUE NEWS THERE IS AN ARTICLE DATED MAY 5, 2018, "SUBARU LOSES LAWSUIT OVER FAULTY OUTBACK WINDSHIELDS" DISCUSSING THE LAWSUIT, THE COMMENTS FROM THE FELLOW SUBARU OWNERS IS CONCERNING.
NHTSA ODI #11207476
9,190 miles · May 12, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN PULLING INTO A HEAD NO PRKING SPACE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR SPED FORWARD SEVERAL FEET, HITTING A ROCK IN THE LAWN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH CAR SPEEDING UNTIL I COULD HIT THE BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11207076
17,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsVisibility/wiperCrash
I HIT A LARGE DEER ON IH 10 AT 75 MPH. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SAFELY BUT CONPLETELY BLOCKED MY VISION AND PREVENTED ME FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE AS THE BAGS BLOCKED DOOR HANDLES, WINDOW CONTROL SWITCHES AND MY SEAT BELT RELEASE. ANOTHER MOTORIST CUT AIR BAG STRIPS AND HELPED ME TO EXIT THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, NO FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #11203480
20,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND A SECOND VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND A SECOND VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #11203450
34,109 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WE PUT CAR IN GARAGE. IT WAS CLEAN PERFECT CONDITION. THE GARAGE IS LOCKED AND I FOUND A SPIDER SCRATCH WHICH HAD NO VISIBLE HOLE FROM A PEBBLE. THE SPIDER CRACK WAS INTERNAL SO I COULD FEEL NO INDENTATION. I HAVE WITNESSES IN THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT IT WAS INHERENT IN THE WINDOW. TO AVOID POSSIBLE DANGER I BROUGHT IT…
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WE PUT CAR IN GARAGE. IT WAS CLEAN PERFECT CONDITION. THE GARAGE IS LOCKED AND I FOUND A SPIDER SCRATCH WHICH HAD NO VISIBLE HOLE FROM A PEBBLE. THE SPIDER CRACK WAS INTERNAL SO I COULD FEEL NO INDENTATION. I HAVE WITNESSES IN THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT IT WAS INHERENT IN THE WINDOW. TO AVOID POSSIBLE DANGER I BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP. I STILL PAID $100 FOR REPAIR AND I BOUGHT IT NEW. ALSO I HAD SCRATCH PROTECTION.
NHTSA ODI #11203373
46,900 miles · Apr 15, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND DOES NOT SHOW NEAR EMPTY WHEN NO USABLE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. WE WERE DRIVING TO AN EVENT WITH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. COMPLETE ENGINE STALL (NO SPUTTERING/ETC. BEFORE) AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY STOP ACROSS SEVERAL …
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FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND DOES NOT SHOW NEAR EMPTY WHEN NO USABLE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. WE WERE DRIVING TO AN EVENT WITH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. COMPLETE ENGINE STALL (NO SPUTTERING/ETC. BEFORE) AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY STOP ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC. THIS IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMS SEVERAL OTHER 2017 OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES. IT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE 2018 FUEL GAUGE RECALL (WTW-82) BUT FOR 2017 VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T THINK TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FUEL GAUGE, BUT WAS ACTUALLY PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION AS I HAD RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION FOR SUBARU'S WUD-89 "DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY SOFTWARE UPDATE," SO I KNEW THE DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY INDICATOR WAS WRONG, BUT GIVEN THE NOTICE SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE FUEL GAUGE ITSELF AND ONLY MENTIONED THE DTE SOFTWARE WAS INCORRECT, I MADE THE NATURAL ASSUMPTION THAT THE GAUGE ITSELF WAS STILL AT LEAST REMOTELY ACCURATE.
NHTSA ODI #11196205
22,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other
INTERMITTENTLY NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ODI #11194808
27,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Unknown Or Other
ON MARCH 24, 2019, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN SOUTHERN OREGON, TRAVELING FROM OUR WINTER HOME IN NEVADA TO OUR SUMMER HOME IN ALASKA. SUDDENLY, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION ON THE ROOF OF OUR CAR. THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED!! THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. …
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ON MARCH 24, 2019, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN SOUTHERN OREGON, TRAVELING FROM OUR WINTER HOME IN NEVADA TO OUR SUMMER HOME IN ALASKA. SUDDENLY, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION ON THE ROOF OF OUR CAR. THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED!! THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. SINCE WE WERE TRAVELING, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SUNROOF REPAIRED AT WALKERS RENTON SUBARU IN RENTON, WASHINGTON. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER THE FULL BUMPER TO BUMPER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY (IT HAD 27,000 MILES ON IT), I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY THE $500 REPAIR BILL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE BREAKAGE HAD TO HAVE BEEN DUE TO A ROCK, AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAUSED THE SHATTERING OF THE SUNROOF GLASS. THERE ARE SCATTERED REPORTS OF SUNROOFS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODING, AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.
NHTSA ODI #11194212
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