NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
917 reports12,000 miles · Feb 15, 2018
Steering
THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE WANDER. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY HIGH STEERING EFFORT. DURING HIGH SPEED (60+ MPH) AND CROSS WINDS, THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY FEEL AS IF IT'S DRIVING ON ICE. IT FEELS AS IF IT'S SLIPPING AND SLIDING WITH LITTLE OR NO CONTROL THROUGH THE STEERING SYSTEM. ALSO, WHEN EXECUTING A TURN WHILE DRIVING AT M…
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THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE WANDER. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY HIGH STEERING EFFORT. DURING HIGH SPEED (60+ MPH) AND CROSS WINDS, THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY FEEL AS IF IT'S DRIVING ON ICE. IT FEELS AS IF IT'S SLIPPING AND SLIDING WITH LITTLE OR NO CONTROL THROUGH THE STEERING SYSTEM. ALSO, WHEN EXECUTING A TURN WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEEDS, THE STEERING WILL NOT TRY TO RETURN TO STRAIGHT AHEAD AS MOST VEHICLES DO, WHEN COMPLETING THE TURN.
NHTSA ODI #11073057
7,000 miles · Feb 13, 2018
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control
LEASE DATE | 08/25/17 ON 01/17/18 AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM TURNING ON AND OFF, I NOTICE THAT A PIECE OF FOAM HAD FALLEN IN THE WAY OF THE PASSENGER CAMERA. I NOTIFIED SUBARU OF AMERICA OF THIS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND MIKE SHAW SUBARU FIXED THE ISSUE. TODAY, AFTER TWO DAY OF EYE SIGHT SYSTEM TURNING ON AND …
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LEASE DATE | 08/25/17 ON 01/17/18 AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM TURNING ON AND OFF, I NOTICE THAT A PIECE OF FOAM HAD FALLEN IN THE WAY OF THE PASSENGER CAMERA. I NOTIFIED SUBARU OF AMERICA OF THIS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND MIKE SHAW SUBARU FIXED THE ISSUE. TODAY, AFTER TWO DAY OF EYE SIGHT SYSTEM TURNING ON AND OFF, I NOTICE THAT A PIECE OF FOAM HAD NOW FALLEN IN THE WAY OF THE DRIVER SIDE CAMERA. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED. BOTH EVENTS SEVERELY INTERFERE WITH THE CARS SAFETY FEATURES FROM OPERATING AND, IN THE CASE OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM DID DEPLOY INCORRECTLY AT TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11072782
250 miles · Jan 26, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering
SINCE PURCHASE ON 2/19/17 FROM PARKER SUBARU CDA, COMPLAINT OF SHAKING FRONT END, WANDERING ON HIGHWAY AND FREEWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN A DANGEROUS MANNER, FROM COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING IN SNOW, SLUSH AND GRAVEL AS OF 2/28/17. I HAVE BEEN VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE INCIDENCE. GOING IN MY DRIVEWAY AT LEAST 8 INCCIDENTS; IN SNOW OR…
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SINCE PURCHASE ON 2/19/17 FROM PARKER SUBARU CDA, COMPLAINT OF SHAKING FRONT END, WANDERING ON HIGHWAY AND FREEWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN A DANGEROUS MANNER, FROM COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING IN SNOW, SLUSH AND GRAVEL AS OF 2/28/17. I HAVE BEEN VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE INCIDENCE. GOING IN MY DRIVEWAY AT LEAST 8 INCCIDENTS; IN SNOW OR SLUSH CONDITIONS, IN DEPTS ON ONLY A COUPLE INCHES OR LESS IN THE WINTER OF 2017. IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 THREE INCIDENTS OF COMPLETE FAILURE WAS REPORTED ON GRAVE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 15-MPH, I HAVE HAD THE VERY SAME COMPLAINT EVERY VISIT: 2/28/17, 3/23/17, 4/6/17. 9/13/17, 10/22/17, 1/22/17- @ PARKER SUBARU CDA.
NHTSA ODI #11065219
17,800 miles · Jan 15, 2018
Power Train
I TURNED THE CAR ON WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, AND SWITCHED TO REVERSE BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I SWITCHED IT TO DRIVE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV; THE TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE. I SWITCHED THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND CALLED BOB WADE'S SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO TOW THE CAR TO THEIR DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11062892
15,541 miles · Jan 15, 2018
Power Train
I TURNED THE CAR ON WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, AND SWITCHED TO REVERSE BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I SWITCHED IT TO DRIVE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV; THE TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE. I SWITCHED THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND CALLED BROWN'S MANASSAS TO TOW THE CAR TO THEIR DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11062890
2,831 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Service Brakes
THE FIRST OF 4 INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON STATE HIGHWAY 509 WHEN TRAVELING WITH MY 12 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED ITSELF WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. THE CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY AS IT TURNED TO THE RIGHT HEADING FOR THE SHOULDER AND SLOWED THE CAR T…
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THE FIRST OF 4 INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON STATE HIGHWAY 509 WHEN TRAVELING WITH MY 12 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED ITSELF WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. THE CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY AS IT TURNED TO THE RIGHT HEADING FOR THE SHOULDER AND SLOWED THE CAR TO 35-40MPH BEFORE I SAW THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH AND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. 2ND TIME GOING 35MPH ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. 3RD TIME ON THE SAME HIGHWAY AS 1ST INCIDENT BUT AT 55MPH AND BY MYSELF. 4TH TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS RIGHT AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE SHOP WHERE THEY TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY ONRAMP TO HIGHWAY 509 STARTING TO MERGE ON A BRIDGE WHEN FOR NO REASON THE BRAKE APPLIED ITSELF. AGAIN THE DEALER SHOP WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR AND I PICKED IT UP AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER. THE PAPERWORK STATES THAT THE CAR IS NOT TO BE DRIVEN HOME OR LONG DISTANCES. THIS SUBARU OUTBACK IS A VERY SEVERE SAFETY RISK IF I KEEP ON DRIVING IT.
NHTSA ODI #11061333
4,500 miles · Dec 27, 2017
Visibility/wiper
EXPLODING SUN ROOF: ON 11/23/2017 OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING FROM HILLSBORO, OR TO COOSBAY, OR FOR A FAMILY THANKSGIVING DINNER. WHILE WE WERE ON INTERSTATE I-5 SOUTH JUST NEAR COTTAGE GROVE, OR WE HEARD A LOUD SHATTER WHICH SCARED ALL OF US, WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. WE…
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EXPLODING SUN ROOF: ON 11/23/2017 OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING FROM HILLSBORO, OR TO COOSBAY, OR FOR A FAMILY THANKSGIVING DINNER. WHILE WE WERE ON INTERSTATE I-5 SOUTH JUST NEAR COTTAGE GROVE, OR WE HEARD A LOUD SHATTER WHICH SCARED ALL OF US, WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. WE WERE GOING AT 65-70MPH WITH DRIZZLE OREGON RAIN AND TEMPS AT 50'S F
NHTSA ODI #11056868
2,000 miles · Nov 25, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WHILE BRAKING AT AN INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. I NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON MY FOOT POSITION EVERY TIME I HIT THE BRAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FOOT DOES NOT ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS ALSO. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, I AM 6 FEET TALL AND WEAR A SIZE 11 1/2 SHOE.
NHTSA ODI #11048366
12,200 miles · Nov 20, 2017
StructureVisibility
HELLO, SEE ATTACHED PICS OF OUR OUTBACK SUNROOF THAT EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN GA CROSSING SOUTH NEWPORT RIVER IN TOWNSEND, GA 31331 AROUND 10:55 A.M ON 11/19/17. ALL OCCUPANTS HEARD A LOUD POP AND SOUND OF GLASSING EXITING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PULLING OVER. I CLEARED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTAT…
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HELLO, SEE ATTACHED PICS OF OUR OUTBACK SUNROOF THAT EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN GA CROSSING SOUTH NEWPORT RIVER IN TOWNSEND, GA 31331 AROUND 10:55 A.M ON 11/19/17. ALL OCCUPANTS HEARD A LOUD POP AND SOUND OF GLASSING EXITING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO PULLING OVER. I CLEARED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE, DOCUMENTED THE SUNROOF DAMAGE AND THEN DROVE 40 MPH TO NEXT EXIT WHERE I LOCATED A VACUUM TO CLEAN UP THE MESS SO THAT WE COULD DRIVE 35 MILES BACK HOME. THERE WAS A COLD FRONT PASSING THROUGH THE AREA, SO THERE WERE SOME GUSTY WINDS, BUT TEMPS WERE ONLY AROUND 60 DEGREES. WE HAD JUST REFUELED AND WERE ACCELERATING TO 60 MPH TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. WE WERE USING A SEAR'S X-CARGO CARRIER ON TOP FOR PERSONNEL STORAGE. I HAVE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER TOMORROW TO ASSESS WARRANTY, ETC. THE VEHICLE IS SIX MONTHS OLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11047389
12,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
ON THE HIGHWAY CRUISING AT 10:19AM IN OCT 13 2017, A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK FROZE ABRUPTLY. SPECIFICALLY, MY ON-BOARD GPS NAVIGATION SCREEN FROZE, THE DIGITAL CLOCK FROZE (ON 10:19AM), AND THE HEADS UP DISPLAY OF NAVIGATION DIRECTIONS ON THE DRIVER'S HUB FROZE. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER SYSTEMS ALSO LOCK…
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ON THE HIGHWAY CRUISING AT 10:19AM IN OCT 13 2017, A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK FROZE ABRUPTLY. SPECIFICALLY, MY ON-BOARD GPS NAVIGATION SCREEN FROZE, THE DIGITAL CLOCK FROZE (ON 10:19AM), AND THE HEADS UP DISPLAY OF NAVIGATION DIRECTIONS ON THE DRIVER'S HUB FROZE. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER SYSTEMS ALSO LOCKED UP, WHICH I COULDN'T OBSERVE. AFTER I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THOSE THINGS UNFROZE.
NHTSA ODI #11046028
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