NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports17,840 miles · May 11, 2018
Visibility/wiper
PURCHASED OUR 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 I LIMITED IN AUGUST 2016. AS OF APRIL 30, 2018 WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED 4 TIMES! EACH TIME WE WERE ON HIGHWAYS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WE WERE TRAVELING AT ONLY 45 MPH. EACH TIME, AS SOON AS WE HEARD THE IMPACT, A HUGE CRACK APPEARED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WI…
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PURCHASED OUR 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 I LIMITED IN AUGUST 2016. AS OF APRIL 30, 2018 WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED 4 TIMES! EACH TIME WE WERE ON HIGHWAYS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WE WERE TRAVELING AT ONLY 45 MPH. EACH TIME, AS SOON AS WE HEARD THE IMPACT, A HUGE CRACK APPEARED. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH EITHER THE QUALITY OF GLASS BEING USED OR THE DESIGN. WE HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND REPORTED THE INCIDENTS. AND YET, SUBARU WILL SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WE ARE FRUSTRATED AND NOW ANXIOUS EACH TIME WE ARE TRAVELING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH GETTING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. TODAY, WE AGAIN CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND SAID WE WANT SUBARU TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND DEAL WITH IT. WE ALSO MET WITH THE SERVICE DIRECTOR OF OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. HE HAS AGREED TO FORWARD THE COMPLAINT TO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR.
NHTSA ODI #11093415
9,280 miles · May 10, 2018
Unknown Or Other
BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON 2.5I PREMIUM WITH OPT PACKAGE 14 LAST FEB, 2017. THE OPTION PACKAGE WAS THE EYESIGHT DRIVER-ASSIST SYSTEM. TWICE SO FAR, WHILE DRIVING IN GOOD WEATHER, THE BRAKES HAVE SLAMMED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON - LEAVING RUBBER ON THE ROAD AND THROWING MY WIFE AND I FORWARD. THEY APPLY FOR APPROX 2-3 SE…
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BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON 2.5I PREMIUM WITH OPT PACKAGE 14 LAST FEB, 2017. THE OPTION PACKAGE WAS THE EYESIGHT DRIVER-ASSIST SYSTEM. TWICE SO FAR, WHILE DRIVING IN GOOD WEATHER, THE BRAKES HAVE SLAMMED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON - LEAVING RUBBER ON THE ROAD AND THROWING MY WIFE AND I FORWARD. THEY APPLY FOR APPROX 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN - THE CAR CONTINUES. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ROADS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN BUSY AND NO ONE BEHIND US. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON 3/8/2018 AND WAS INFORMED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS. THIS CONTRADICTED WHAT THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME ON 1/8/2018 WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE 6,000 MILE SERVICE. HE TOLD ME A COMPUTER UPDATE HAD BEEN RUN TO CORRECT THIS. I REQUESTED THAT THEY DOWNLOAD THE ONBOARD COMPUTER AFTER THIS SECOND INCIDENT WHICH SHOULD SHOW SPEED, BRAKING, TURNING, ETC... WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. ON PICK UP, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR COMPUTER DOES NOT RECORD THIS INFORMATION, THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND NO DEFECT FOUND. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND PROVIDED ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO THEM. THEY ADVISED THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND GET ALL OF THE DETAILS. THEY LATER FOLLOWED UP WITH ME AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO STORED FAILED CODES AND NO ISSUES FOUND WITH THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND NO INFORMATION STORED ON THIS INCIDENT IN THE CAR. THEREFORE, NO ISSUE OR DEFECT WITH THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND THEY COULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY REPAIRS. THIS LACK OF COMPUTER STORED INFORMATION CONTRADICTS WHAT THEIR OWN MANUAL SAYS. IT STATES 'EYESIGHT RECORDS AND STORES THE FOLLOWING DATA WHEN THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM IS OPERATED.' IT THEN LISTS - STEREO CAMERA IMAGE; DISTANCE FROM VEHICLE IN FRONT; VEHICLE SPEED; STEERING WHEEL TURNING; BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION'ETC. I NOW TURN EYESIGHT OFF WHEN DRIVING AS I HAVE NO TRUST/FAITH IN IT.
NHTSA ODI #11092857
25 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Back Over Prevention
THE AUTOMATIC REAR BRAKING IS OVERLY SENSITIVE AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES ANYTIME I BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY; UNLESS I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE MOMENT THE TIRES MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STREET. THE DEALER TELLS POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS THIS CAN BE ADJUSTED, BUT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN ADJUSTMENT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I…
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THE AUTOMATIC REAR BRAKING IS OVERLY SENSITIVE AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES ANYTIME I BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY; UNLESS I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE MOMENT THE TIRES MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STREET. THE DEALER TELLS POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS THIS CAN BE ADJUSTED, BUT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN ADJUSTMENT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO ADJUST IT. SUBARU CLAIMS IT'S WORKING AS DESIGNED, BUT THEY'VE NEVER TESTED IT ON THE ROAD. THE ONLY THING THEY DO IS PLUG IT IN TO THEIR COMPUTER; AND THEY FIND NO ERROR CODES. THE 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK IS NOT AS SENSITIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11091101
3,400 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Visibility
I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS ON MY NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH ONLY 8,000 MILES ON IT. EACH REPAIR USING OEM GLASS AND RECALIBRATION OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM COSTS OVER $960 EACH TIME. THIS IS AN UNEXPECTED COST OF OWNERSHIP FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT I'VE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THE UNS…
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I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TWO CRACKED WINDSHIELDS ON MY NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH ONLY 8,000 MILES ON IT. EACH REPAIR USING OEM GLASS AND RECALIBRATION OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM COSTS OVER $960 EACH TIME. THIS IS AN UNEXPECTED COST OF OWNERSHIP FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT I'VE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION THE UNSAFE NATURE OF RECURRENTLY BROKEN WINDSHIELDS. THE FIRST WINDSHIELD BREAK WAS NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. A LONG CRACK STARTED AT THE WINDSHIELD HEATING ELEMENT AND EXTENDED 2 FEET ACROSS. THE SECOND WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DURING DRIVING. I HEARD NO IMPACT TO THE GLASS, JUST A CRACK EXTENDING SEVERAL INCHES. THE CARLEX OEM LAMINATE WINDSHIELD IS THIN, FRAGILE AND EXPENSIVE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS STEMMING BACK TO THE 2015 AND 2016 OUTBACK MODELS WITH COMPLAINTS OF RECURRENT WINDSHIELD CRACKS. THIS INCLUDES A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THE WINDSHIELDS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR IN ANY ADVERSE CONDITIONS. IT IS DRIVEN ON THE SAME ROADS I HAVE DRIVEN FOR YEARS IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT NEVER SUFFERED SUCH FREQUENT AND UNSAFE WINDSHIELD DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11084241
27,927 miles · Apr 1, 2018
Structure
SUNROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING STRAIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WE HEARD A LOUD POP AS OUR SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED INTO SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS OUT OF THE TOP OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11082341
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEUBERGER SUBARU (1080 MOTOR CITY DR., COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905 (719) 475-1920) WHERE THE BRAKES NEEDED TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEUBERGER SUBARU (1080 MOTOR CITY DR., COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905 (719) 475-1920) WHERE THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHERE THE FIELD ENGINEER ALONG WITH TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT NO FAILURE HAD OCCURRED, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE WARMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11081481
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2018
Power Train
NEW TYPE TRANSMISSION -HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, MORE SO WHEN CAR IS COOL. BACK OUT ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE HOLD BRAKE, PUT IN DRIVE. IT TAKES 1 TO 3 SECONDS FOR DRIVE TO ENGAGE BUT NOTHING SHOWS WHEN IT IS ENGAGED. YOU CAN HOWEVER HEAR THE PING OF THE ENGAGEMENT WITH WINDOW DOWN. IF YOU REMOVE FOOT FROM BRAKE AND PRESS GAS THE CAR WIL…
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NEW TYPE TRANSMISSION -HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, MORE SO WHEN CAR IS COOL. BACK OUT ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE HOLD BRAKE, PUT IN DRIVE. IT TAKES 1 TO 3 SECONDS FOR DRIVE TO ENGAGE BUT NOTHING SHOWS WHEN IT IS ENGAGED. YOU CAN HOWEVER HEAR THE PING OF THE ENGAGEMENT WITH WINDOW DOWN. IF YOU REMOVE FOOT FROM BRAKE AND PRESS GAS THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS 6-10 FEET TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS WITH OR WITHOUT THE HILL ASSIST ON. SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL NATURE FOR THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11079903
18,000 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. CAPITOL SUBARU IN SAN JO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. CAPITOL SUBARU IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #11078984
9,100 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A DRIVEWAY AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY IN MONTEREY PARK CA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THEN NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. IT APPEARED NOTHING HAD HIT IT. THE CRACK IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER LOWER BOTTOM STARTING FROM THE EDGE AND CREATING AN "L" PATTERN. IT IS A SUBARU 2017 OUTBACK WITH 9,…
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WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A DRIVEWAY AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY IN MONTEREY PARK CA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THEN NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. IT APPEARED NOTHING HAD HIT IT. THE CRACK IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER LOWER BOTTOM STARTING FROM THE EDGE AND CREATING AN "L" PATTERN. IT IS A SUBARU 2017 OUTBACK WITH 9,100 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11078832
9,000 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE SUBARU OUTBACK, 2017, 9000 MIS. SEEMED TO BE LOSING BATTERY POWER ON EACH START AND THEN NOTHING. BATTERY IS DEAD. JUMP STARTED IT..NO START EXCEPT EVERY DASH LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO SHIFT GEAR WHILE NOT STARTED, PUT IN PARK AND HIT SHIFTER TO START. WHY IS THE BATTERY DEAD AND WILL NOT START ON A JUMP START? THANKFULLY,…
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THE SUBARU OUTBACK, 2017, 9000 MIS. SEEMED TO BE LOSING BATTERY POWER ON EACH START AND THEN NOTHING. BATTERY IS DEAD. JUMP STARTED IT..NO START EXCEPT EVERY DASH LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO SHIFT GEAR WHILE NOT STARTED, PUT IN PARK AND HIT SHIFTER TO START. WHY IS THE BATTERY DEAD AND WILL NOT START ON A JUMP START? THANKFULLY, VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WHEN IT WOULD NOT START. SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE A FAULTY RELAY. THEY ARE THINKING IT IS THE SHIFTING LEVER. IF SO, WHY IS THE BATTERY TOTALLY DEAD?
NHTSA ODI #11074154
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