NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
43 reportsClear category filter49,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH WHEN I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET OUT OF CONTROL I TRIED TO STEER IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT IT JUST STEERED TO THE RIGHT AND AT THE MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO A SIDE WALK AND ALMOST HITTING A POLE ALSO THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MY WHOL…
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I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH WHEN I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET OUT OF CONTROL I TRIED TO STEER IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT IT JUST STEERED TO THE RIGHT AND AT THE MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO A SIDE WALK AND ALMOST HITTING A POLE ALSO THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MY WHOLE WHEEL AND SUSPENSION TO COMPLETELY BREAK ALSO THE CV DRIVE SHAFT CAME OFF NO ONE WAS HURT BUT I AM REALLY CONCERNED THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY ROAD THERE COULD HAVE BEEN CASUALTIES AND I WANT A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA AND HELP BECAUSE THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654002
42,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Steering
IM THE FIRST OWNER TO THIS 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA LE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO OWN SEEMING HOW I GOT IT WITH 6 MILES LETS START WHEN EVER I GET ON THE INTERSTATE AN LETS SAY IM GOING 50 OR BETTER LIKE 70 IN SPEED THE CAR JERKS AN IT SHAKES AN IT STEERS TO THE RIGHT I AM NOW AT 45,000 MILES I HAVE HAD THE CAR ALMOST UP TO 3YEARS N…
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IM THE FIRST OWNER TO THIS 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA LE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO OWN SEEMING HOW I GOT IT WITH 6 MILES LETS START WHEN EVER I GET ON THE INTERSTATE AN LETS SAY IM GOING 50 OR BETTER LIKE 70 IN SPEED THE CAR JERKS AN IT SHAKES AN IT STEERS TO THE RIGHT I AM NOW AT 45,000 MILES I HAVE HAD THE CAR ALMOST UP TO 3YEARS NOW THE BRAKE CALIBER MAKES OFFUL SOUNDS WHEN COMING DOWN A HILL NEVER HAD A CAR THAT DOES THIS NOW I'M PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A CAR THAT IS TO GREAT OR SAFE THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS MY BRAKES ARE UP TO DATE MY MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE THIS CAR MAKES ME UNHAPPY NOW I SEE THEIRS A RECALL WOW THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T GONNA GIVE ME A NEW CAR LIKE IN MY DREAMS I GUESS LOL I ASKED TOYOTA WHY DO MY BRAKES SOUND LIKE THAT THEY SAY O THATS HOW TOYOTA BRAKES SOUND AN THEY AREN'T GONNA FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609139
500 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS ROUGH AND UNSTABLE WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH OR HIGHER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS ROUGH AND UNSTABLE WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH OR HIGHER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
NHTSA ODI #10579095
19,165 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Steering
WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. WHEN I CORRECT THE STEERING IT THEN WILL OVER CORRECTS AND SEND ME OUT OF MY LANE. SO I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A FIRM GRIP ON THE MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH DOES NOT STOP THE ISSUE BUT HELPS ME TO MAKE CONSTANT LITTLE CORRECT…
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WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. WHEN I CORRECT THE STEERING IT THEN WILL OVER CORRECTS AND SEND ME OUT OF MY LANE. SO I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A FIRM GRIP ON THE MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH DOES NOT STOP THE ISSUE BUT HELPS ME TO MAKE CONSTANT LITTLE CORRECTS AT ALL TIMES. DRIVING HAS NEVER BEEN SO ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING AND TERRIFYING ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY 3 YEAR OLD SON'S SAFETY. THE NHTSA DID AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE STEERING OF THE 2009-2010 COROLLAS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND COULD HAVE SAVED US ALL THIS HASSLE THE FIRST GO AROUND. MAYBE AFTER A FEW MORE PEOPLE DIE AND THEY HIT A CERTAIN QUOTA THEY WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT DEFECTIVE CARS THAT ARE LITERALLY STEERING THEMSELVES. I HAVE TAKEN MY 2011 COROLLA INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND THEY JUST TELL ME THAT IT'S THE WIND AND THE ROAD CAUSING MY STEERING ISSUES. YET WHEN I TAKE TO AN OUTSIDE SERVICE CENTER JUST TO VERIFY THE STEERING ISSUE, THEIR TECHS HAVE NO PROBLEM NOTICING WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. BACK IN 2010 THE CEO OF TOYOTA STATED HE WOULD FIX THE ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE FOR ANY CUSTOMER STATING THEY HAD A PROBLEM. OF COURSE THIS WAS WITH FOREGOING THE RECALL. SO NOW THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE ISSUES, THEY ARE BEING TURNED AWAY AT SERVICE CENTERS. AND WHEN THEY TRY TO SUE TO SELL BACK THEIR CAR, TOYOTA FINDS A WAY OUT OF THAT TOO. STEERING ISSUES ARE BEING FOUND IN COROLLA FROM 2009 TO 2013. IT'S TIME SOMETHING IS DONE!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574731
20,100 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Steering
I PURCHASED A TOYOTA COROLLA S - 2011 FROM A VERY LARGE AND REPUTABLE MASSACHUSETTS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 7/28/2013. I PICKED UP THE CAR AT 8:50 PM ON 8/30/2013. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE AND FEAR, UPON GAINING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY DURING MY 50 MINUTE TRIP HOME, I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT…
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I PURCHASED A TOYOTA COROLLA S - 2011 FROM A VERY LARGE AND REPUTABLE MASSACHUSETTS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 7/28/2013. I PICKED UP THE CAR AT 8:50 PM ON 8/30/2013. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE AND FEAR, UPON GAINING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY DURING MY 50 MINUTE TRIP HOME, I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT AT ALL CENTERED, FACING TO THE RIGHT. THE WHEEL MOVED ABOUT, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, VERY LOOSELY AND ON ITS OWN. THE EFFECT OF MY HOLDING ONTO THE WHEEL DID LITTLE TO CONTROL THE WHEELS MOVEMENTS. THIS TERRIFIED ME AND COMPLETLY STRESSED AND FATIGUED ME DURING MY RIDE. I FELT I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REMAIN SHARP AND ALERT, WAITING FOR THE NEED TO CORRECT THE NEXT JERKING MOVEMENT FROM THE WHEEL. UPON ARRIVING HOME, I SPENT THE ENTIRE EVENING RESEARCHING THIS MATTER IN DETAIL, VIA THE INTERNET. I FOUND NUMEROUS FORUMS/DISCUSSION GROUPS REGARDING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND A TOYOTA (OFFICIAL) "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" (TSB) THAT DETAILED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 AND 2010 COROLLA'S. THE TSB WAS DATED 2010, HOWEVER, VARIOUS FORUMS DISCUSSED THE COROLLA 2011 HAVING THE EXACT SAME EPS SYSTEM (AND THEREFORE, THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM). I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN HOURS AND WAS TOLD TO BRING MY COROLLA BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT. TOMORROW (8/1/2013) SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE LOOKED AT AND REPAIRED. I AM HOPING THE MATTER IS RESOLVED TO A POINT WHERE I CAN HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE DRIVING THIS CAR. I UNDERSTAND YOUR AGENCY RECENTLY FINED TOYOTA MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR A HISTORY OF FAILING TO REPORT AND ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS APPROPRIATELY. I AM MORE LIKELY GOING TO ASK FOR A FULL REFUND GIVEN THIS INFORMATION AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532991
40,000 miles · Jul 20, 2013
EngineService BrakesSteering
I BOUGHT A USED 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM BEAVER TOYOTA IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO IN SEPTEMBER 2012. FROM THE BEGINNING I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHILE DRIVING. IT FELT LIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN FOR JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS, LIKE A DELAY OF SOME KIND. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FELT NOTHING. IT KEPT…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA FROM BEAVER TOYOTA IN SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO IN SEPTEMBER 2012. FROM THE BEGINNING I NOTICED A SLIGHT HESITATION WHILE DRIVING. IT FELT LIKE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN FOR JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS, LIKE A DELAY OF SOME KIND. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FELT NOTHING. IT KEPT HAPPENING AND I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY DROVE AND FELT NOTHING. FINALLY, I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM CHURCH IN THE DAYTIME, THANK GOD, AND IT JUST STALLED LIKE SOMEONE HAS JUST UNPLUGGED IT (AND ITS NOT ELECTRIC) AND ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND I MADE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE SCARED TO DEATH. I CALLED AAA AND THEY SAID LET IT SIT FOR FEW MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. HE SUGGESTED I DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION BUT IT WAS SUNDAY AND NO ONE WAS OPEN. I WENT INTO THE DEALER LATER THAT WEEK AND THEY DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING, NO HESITATION AT ALL. I KEPT FEELING IT AND MY ROOMMATE DROVE IT ONCE THOUGHT SHE FELT SOMETHING. TOOK TO BACK AGAIN AND SAT 5 HOURS WHILE THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID IT SHOWED NOTHING. THEY DID REPLACE A BOLT I NOTICED THE HEAD HAD BROKEN OFF ON THE LICENSE PLATE ...JUST MENTIONED IN PASSING & THAT WAS $110 BECAUSE THE SERVICE REP SAID THEY HAD TO DRILL THRU THE BACK PLATE TO REMOVE AND PUT IN NEW ONE! I WOULD HAVE NEVER AGREED TO THAT. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND AN INDEPENDENT TOYOTA AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP THAT HAD GREAT REVIEWS AND WENT THERE. TOY AUTOMAN. THEY TOOK ME IN AT MY APPT TIME, ONE HOUR LATER THE NICE OWNER CAME OUT AND HANDED ME A RELEASE FROM TOYOTA DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 THAT STATED 2011 COROLLAS MAY EXHIBIT A "MONETARY RPM DECREASE ABOVE 40 MPH AND/OR REDUCED ENGINE BRAKING". I'M SO TIRED OF GOING INTO THIS DEALER AND GETTING NOWHERE. THEY HAD TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NOTICE FROM TOYOTA AND I MUST BE NAIVE REALIZING THAT A TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT. WOULD PUT A CUSTOMER IN DANGER FOR MONEY. HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525926
12 miles · Jun 29, 2013
Steering
SINCE NEW, CAR WANDERS/DRIFTS AT SPEEDS OF OVER 65MPH. DIFFICULT TO TRACK STRAIGHT IN HIGHWAY LANE. FEELS SIMILAR TO DRIVING IN HIGH CROSSWINDS EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NONE. IN THE PRESENCE OF LARGE TRUCKS OR CROSSWINDS IT CAN FEEL VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER DOES THE STANDARD "NO PROBLEM FOUND" AND ACTS GENEROUS TO NOT CHARGE FOR TH…
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SINCE NEW, CAR WANDERS/DRIFTS AT SPEEDS OF OVER 65MPH. DIFFICULT TO TRACK STRAIGHT IN HIGHWAY LANE. FEELS SIMILAR TO DRIVING IN HIGH CROSSWINDS EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NONE. IN THE PRESENCE OF LARGE TRUCKS OR CROSSWINDS IT CAN FEEL VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER DOES THE STANDARD "NO PROBLEM FOUND" AND ACTS GENEROUS TO NOT CHARGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS PRETTY OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SOFTWARE. FEELS LIKE IT MIGHT BE RESPONDING TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SENSOR INPUTS AND HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY DECIDING WHAT TO DO. PERHAPS IT ONLY OCCURS WITH CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF INPUT SENSORS? THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT HAVING A FULL ON RECALL. MEANWHILE, VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS FOR THOSE OF US THAT DO HAVE IT! FOR REFERENCE, I DROVE AN OTHERWISE IDENTICAL 2013 COROLLA RENTAL CAR RECENTLY IN CO. AT 75MPH+ THE CAR WAS TOTALLY STABLE. THIS POINTS BACK TO THIS BEING A MODEL YEAR ISSUE AND/OR A PART COMBINATION ISSUE AS MENTIONED ABOVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522411
12,000 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Steering
I HAVE A 2011 COROLLA LE WHICH HAS 12K MILES ON IT. TILL 12K EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I LOVED THIS CAR VERY MUCH. WHILE RETURNING FROM A ROAD TRIP (550 MILES ONE WAY) I STARTED NOTICING LOOSING CONTROL ON THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED WANDERING ALL OVER THE LANE. I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS ON THAT DAY. BUT I GO…
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I HAVE A 2011 COROLLA LE WHICH HAS 12K MILES ON IT. TILL 12K EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I LOVED THIS CAR VERY MUCH. WHILE RETURNING FROM A ROAD TRIP (550 MILES ONE WAY) I STARTED NOTICING LOOSING CONTROL ON THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED WANDERING ALL OVER THE LANE. I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS ON THAT DAY. BUT I GOT TIRED FREQUENTLY DUE TO THIS AND HAD TO TAKE MANY BREAKS. THEN I TRIED TO REACH SOME TOYOTA DEALER ON THE WAY BUT THEY HAD NO SERVICE DUE TO EASTER SUNDAY. SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO REACH BACK TO MY HOME. IT WAS REALLY A DANGEROUS DRIVE ESPECIALLY WHEN HUGE TRUCKS WERE PASSING BY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THE NEXT DAY. THEY TOOK THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I COULDN'T AGREE TO THEM. I TOOK THE CAR AND AGAIN NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON HIGH WAYS. AFTER A WEEK I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY VERIFIED THE CAR WITH DIFFERENT SET OF DRIVERS AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I CALLED UP TOYOTA AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT. BUT THEY SAID WITHOUT REPORT FROM THE DEALER THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THEY ALSO REPEATED THE SAME AS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. NOW I AM NOT SURE WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. I REALLY FEEL THAT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING AND I AM LOOSING CONTROL. STEERING FEELS MUCH LIGHTER AND LOOSER THAN BEFORE AND I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508215
11,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
EngineSteeringSuspension
2011 TOYOTA COROLLA: HAVE HAD CAR ALIGNED 2 TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THEREFORE TIRES HAVE WORN UNEVENLY AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES. THE EDGES OF THE TIRES WORE OUT BEFORE 11,000 MILES. I ADDRESSED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO AT FIRST TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT; THEN I WAS TOL…
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2011 TOYOTA COROLLA: HAVE HAD CAR ALIGNED 2 TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THEREFORE TIRES HAVE WORN UNEVENLY AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES. THE EDGES OF THE TIRES WORE OUT BEFORE 11,000 MILES. I ADDRESSED THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO AT FIRST TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT; THEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ALIGNED UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD TO BE ALIGNED A SCOND TIME DUE TO CONTINUOUS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR TIRES OUT-OF-POCKET, EVEN THOUGH I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD AT LEAST PRO-RATE A NEW SET OF TIRES. SECOND ISSUE IS THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AND UNEVENLY. IT IDLES ROUGH, AND SINCE I PAID TO HAVE THE INJECTORS CLEANED, IT GETS WORSE GAS MILEAGE THAN EVER. I NOW HAVE THE CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP AGAIN TO FIX THE IDLE. THEY JUST CALLED AND SAID THE Y HAD TO REPLACE AND RESET THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I EXPECTED THE CAR TO PERFORM BETTER AND TIRES TO LAST MORE THAN A YEAR, AS I PURCHASED THE CAR DEC. 2012. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10495041
500 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Steering
I AM WRITING TO REPORT AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND NOTICED, DURING MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CENTER LANE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE FASTER THE VEHICLE SPEED THE MORE PRONOUNCED THE …
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I AM WRITING TO REPORT AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA LE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND NOTICED, DURING MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CENTER LANE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE FASTER THE VEHICLE SPEED THE MORE PRONOUNCED THE DRIFT BECAME. ROAD SMOOTHNESS DID NOT SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I ASSUMED THAT SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IT MUST JUST TAKE ME SOME GETTING ACCUSTOMED TO DRIVING IT. HAVING DRIVEN IT FOR 18 MONTHS, IN VARIED WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, I AM NOW CONVINCED IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT AS IT CAUSES ME MUCH FATIGUE TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES DUE TO CONSTANT STEERING INPUTS REQUIRED JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. ON 3 DECEMBER 2012 I PRESENTED THE VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR AND WAS DENIED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON "TEST DROVE VEHICLE. HIGH WINDS AND POOR STREET CONDITIONS SEEM TO HAVE MORE AFFECT ON SMALLER VEHICLES THAN LARGER HEAVIER ONES. CHECKED ALIGNMENT IN SPEC AND TIRE PRESSURES ARE GOOD AS WELL." THE TEST DRIVE WAS LESS THAN 10 MILES IN DURATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487431
Official recalls
9Jan 17, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Oct 17, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Jan 9, 2019
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
May 23, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
Oct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Apr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Jan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Nov 22, 2011
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COROLLA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NON-TOYOTA, BLUE TOOTH HANDS FREE DEVICE OR NAVIGATION UNIT AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NON-TOYOTA, OVERHEAD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND/OR BLUETOOTH HANDS FREE DEVICE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FRONT A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL RETENTION CLIP MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE AFTERMARKET ACCESSORY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DAMAGED A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL RETENTION CLIP MAY ALLOW THE TRIM PANEL TO COME LOOSE AND INJURE AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL RETENTION CLIP AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
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
2EA21002 · 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.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.