IllustrationSUBARU 2017 PUSH BUTTON START ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH CAR GEAR SELECTOR STILL IN DRIVE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL AS I EXITED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ONE FOOT STILL IN THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL.
2017 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Outback years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
2040–25K
20725–50K
7750–75K
2075–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
516 reports with mileage · 401 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 391 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports3 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
917 reportsNHTSA ID NUMBER: 11003485 I AGREE WITH THIS COMPLAINT AS WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE DOORS RE-PROGRAMED TO "AUTO-LOCK" AFTER ACCEPTING THIS AUTOMOBILE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND REMAIN UNLOCK WHEN SHIFT IN DRIVE WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND ALSO…
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NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11003485 I AGREE WITH THIS COMPLAINT AS WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE DOORS RE-PROGRAMED TO "AUTO-LOCK" AFTER ACCEPTING THIS AUTOMOBILE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND REMAIN UNLOCK WHEN SHIFT IN DRIVE WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND ALSO WHEN CARE IN MOTION. NO VOICE, LIGHT OR ANY ALERTS THAT ALERT THE DRIVER TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU FORGET TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND BY ANY CHANCE SNAPS ON THE DOOR HANDLE, CAR DOOR WILL OPEN AND FATALITIES CAN OCCUR. SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR AT MY SUBARU DEALER AND HE STATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS REAL AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PROGRAM THE VEHICLE TO LOCK THE FRONT DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE OR AT CERTAIN SPEED. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER CARS THAT HAVE SAME ISSUE, EVEN OLDER CARS 10 PLUS YEARS OLD CARS HAS THIS SAFETY FEATURE AS STANDARD. THIS ISSUE IS NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL AND SALES PERSONS DO NOT TALK ABOUT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A KEY FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING TO BUY SUBARU OUTBACK.
TAKATA RECALL--CHECKING IF APPROPRIATE
WINDOW CRACKED BUT WAS NOT HIT WITH ANYTHING. CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, HALFWAY DOWN THE WINDSHIELD, AND OBSTRUCTS VIEW OF THE DRIVER. CAR HAS LESS THAN 1600 MILES ON IT. DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED AS A DEFECT AND WE ARE ON OWN OWN TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELDS CRACKI…
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WINDOW CRACKED BUT WAS NOT HIT WITH ANYTHING. CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, HALFWAY DOWN THE WINDSHIELD, AND OBSTRUCTS VIEW OF THE DRIVER. CAR HAS LESS THAN 1600 MILES ON IT. DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED AS A DEFECT AND WE ARE ON OWN OWN TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELDS CRACKING BECAUSE THEY ARE TO THIN. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO VISIBILITY ISSUES.
ON 8 JUNE 2017 I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A MEDICAL SUITE WHEN MY LEASED THREE MONTH OLD 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 1,000 MILES SUDDENLY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE JUMPING THE CURB AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL AND SUITE DOOR AFTER DISPLACING A THRESHOLD COLUMN BY TWO INCHES. THE AIRBAG DID NOT…
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ON 8 JUNE 2017 I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A MEDICAL SUITE WHEN MY LEASED THREE MONTH OLD 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 1,000 MILES SUDDENLY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE JUMPING THE CURB AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL AND SUITE DOOR AFTER DISPLACING A THRESHOLD COLUMN BY TWO INCHES. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, THE "EYESIGHT" FUNCTION DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND MY CHEST SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, MY KNEES CRASHED INTO THE DASHBOARD. ON 2 JUNE, LESS THAN A WEEK EARLIER, THE CAR HAD DONE THE SAME UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BUT NOTHING WAS HIT AT THAT TIME. AFTER THE INITIAL AMBULANCE ER VISIT, PLUS TWO MORE, MY PHYSICAL INJURIES CONSISTING OF ACHES AND PAINS, BRUISES, XRAYS, IV TREATMENT FOR PERSISTENT HEADACHE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, ARE INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED TO THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. NOT TO MENTION THE ECONOMIC BURDEN AND FRUSTRATING SITUATION THIS LEAVES ME IN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND SENT IN PICTURES OF THE VEHICLES AND DAMAGED BUILDING. THEY IN TURN REFERRED MY COMPLAINT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO WAS VERY DILIGENT IN PERFORMING AN INVESTIGATION AND KEEPING ME UPDATED WITH THE PROCEDURE. HOWEVER, ALMOST TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIMS THEIR RESULTS INDICATE "MISAPPLICATION OF THROTTLE AND BREAK" CLEARLY PUTTING THE BLAME ON ME, WITHOUT MENTIONING ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST INCIDENT, AND THE LACK OF RESPONSE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE AT LEAST 34 REPORTS OF SIMILAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF OUTBACK VEHICLES, AND AT LEAST 70 RELATED TO THE SUBARU FORESTER ON CARPROBLEMZOO.COM SINCE 2000. I NOW FIND MYSELF WITH A BEAUTIFUL BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I WILL PAY THE LEASE FOR, BUT DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING OUT OF FEAR THAT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WILL REOCCUR.
FIRST BRAKING ISSUE (ALSO POWER TRAIN): THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, MY RIGHT FOOT HAS HIT BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IN SUCH INSTANCE, THE RESULT IS A POWER SURGE WHILE BRA…
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FIRST BRAKING ISSUE (ALSO POWER TRAIN): THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, MY RIGHT FOOT HAS HIT BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IN SUCH INSTANCE, THE RESULT IS A POWER SURGE WHILE BRAKING, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE CAR. OTHER CARS (NON-SUBARU) HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL HIGHER, SO THIS SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BRAKES AND POWER IS LESS LIKELY TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THE HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND REFERS OWNERS TO SUBARU'S CUSTOMER RETAIL SERVICES. SUBARU'S CUSTOMER RETAIL SERVICES CLAIMS THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE HEIGHT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM. SECOND BRAKING ISSUE: UNLIKE OTHER CARS, THERE IS NO EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE OR FOOT BRAKE ON THE SUBARU, SO THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT IS HIGH IF THE REGULAR BRAKES FAIL. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT YET FAILED, BUT THERE SHOULD BE REDUNDANCY FOR THIS CRITICAL BRAKING FUNCTION.
OUR WINDSHIELD BEGAN SLOWLY CRACKING STARTING AT THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. IT BEGAN AT THE BOTTOM EDGE (HEAT STRIP) AND MOVED HALF UP THE WINDSHIELD BEFORE WE REPLACED. COST $569 FOR OEM WINDSHIELD. SUBARU DEALER DENIED THE WARRANTY CLAIM, WHILE ADMITTING A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER VERSIONS THAT YEAR'S OUTBACK.
FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND REMAIN UNLOCK WHEN SHIFT IN DRIVE WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND ALSO WHEN CARE IN MOTION. NO VOICE, LIGHT OR ANY ALERTS THAT ALERT THE DRIVER TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU FORGET TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY A…
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FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND REMAIN UNLOCK WHEN SHIFT IN DRIVE WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND ALSO WHEN CARE IN MOTION. NO VOICE, LIGHT OR ANY ALERTS THAT ALERT THE DRIVER TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU FORGET TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND BY ANY CHANCE SNAPS ON THE DOOR HANDLE, CAR DOOR WILL OPEN AND FATALITIES CAN OCCUR. SPOKE WITH SERVICE ADVISOR AT MY SUBARU DEALER AND HE STATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS REAL AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PROGRAM THE VEHICLE TO LOCK THE FRONT DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE OR AT CERTAIN SPEED. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER CARS THAT HAVE SAME ISSUE, EVEN OLDER CARS 10 PLUS YEARS OLD CARS HAS THIS SAFETY FEATURE AS STANDARD. THIS ISSUE IS NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL AND SALES PERSONS DO NOT TALK ABOUT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A KEY FACTOR WHEN CHOOSING TO BUY SUBARU OUTBACK.
CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER.WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I WAS SLOWING DOWN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY RAVED UP TO 4000 K, WHEN I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL ENGINE REVVED TO 7000K. I PUT CAR BACK IN GEAR AND DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE BACK TO MY HOME USING THE BRAKES TO CONTROL S…
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CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER.WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I WAS SLOWING DOWN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY RAVED UP TO 4000 K, WHEN I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL ENGINE REVVED TO 7000K. I PUT CAR BACK IN GEAR AND DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE BACK TO MY HOME USING THE BRAKES TO CONTROL SPEED OF CAR AND CALLED THE DEALER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT REMAINS.
I BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MARCH,2017. IT HAS 1946 MILES. CAR HAS SAFETY ISSUES. CAR DOESN'T GO INTO PARK, INSTEAD IT GOES INTO REVERSE. IT HAPPENED WHEN COME HOME TRY TO PUT IN PARK, I COME OUT OF THE CAR BUT IT START GOING BACK. ALSO AFTER THAT IT WAS NOT GOING INTO DRIVE EITHER. SUBARU CHANGE THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, BUT TH…
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I BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MARCH,2017. IT HAS 1946 MILES. CAR HAS SAFETY ISSUES. CAR DOESN'T GO INTO PARK, INSTEAD IT GOES INTO REVERSE. IT HAPPENED WHEN COME HOME TRY TO PUT IN PARK, I COME OUT OF THE CAR BUT IT START GOING BACK. ALSO AFTER THAT IT WAS NOT GOING INTO DRIVE EITHER. SUBARU CHANGE THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, BUT THE CAR STILL MAKE "KLUNK" NOISE WHEN I PUT IN THE PARK.
Official recalls
419V910000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
Dec 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.
16V716000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster; Steering:column
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.
16V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper; Suspension
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.
16V292000 · Steering:column
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.