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2017 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 71 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports1 fire reports29 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

11 reports
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13,369 miles · Nov 26, 2025
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bags and the passenger's side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger'…

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The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bags and the passenger's side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the contact declined to pay a diagnostic fee because the failure was a safety issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag and the dashboard were replaced in 2022, and the front driver's side seat belt was replaced in 2023. In addition, the wiring harness was replaced due to water intrusion in March 2022. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty, and the 12 months warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,369.

NHTSA ODI #11701646

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrash

This vehicle when it's impacted there's really no help or assistance to get the vehicle removed off your property on the vehicle is a hazard it really needs to be retested and there needs to be someone to know that it's not safe for children and being this vehicle a lot of times it's kids slides and it doesn't have the front par…

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This vehicle when it's impacted there's really no help or assistance to get the vehicle removed off your property on the vehicle is a hazard it really needs to be retested and there needs to be someone to know that it's not safe for children and being this vehicle a lot of times it's kids slides and it doesn't have the front part of the vehicle is impacted bad and it's hard to get the car replaced by the manufacturer in thewayenough restraint so that you can take your kids a little faster in the car without answering them it's also a hazard because only certain drivers know how to operate it and it's not always safe to have this car out and about without issues or malfunction

NHTSA ODI #11469072

50,000 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN A CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AT THE INTERSECTION. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35-45 WHEN COLLISION OCCURED. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE SIDE OF THEIR CAR. AFTER CRASH DASH SHOWED PCS MALFUNCTION SEE DEALER NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALLED AT 50K MILES…

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DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN A CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AT THE INTERSECTION. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35-45 WHEN COLLISION OCCURED. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE SIDE OF THEIR CAR. AFTER CRASH DASH SHOWED PCS MALFUNCTION SEE DEALER NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALLED AT 50K MILES. I HAVE WHIPLASH AND MODERATE BACK INJURIES. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL ON 3/28/2021.

NHTSA ODI #11413703

42,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SLAM HER HEAD INTO THE STEERING W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SLAM HER HEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, HEAD, NECK AND OCULAR BONE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT AT AN URGENT CARE FACILITY THE NEXT DAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY FEATURES FAILURE HAS CAUSED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329207

36,000 miles · May 9, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

MY VEHICLE MAKES STRANGE NOISE AND DASH FLASHES WITH CAR SHOWED MAKING SLIGHT RIGHT TURN. THE DASH DISPLAYING COFFEE CUP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RECALL FOR AIRBAG AND SEAT BELTS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. CAR MAY BE DANGER TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323995

24,500 miles · May 8, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 4X4 TRUCK AT 25 MPH. THE WHOLE FRONT WAS SMASHED IN AND THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE INNER CAB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A 4X4 TRUCK AT 25 MPH. THE WHOLE FRONT WAS SMASHED IN AND THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE INNER CAB. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS SHE HAD INTERNAL BLEEDING AND CONTUSIONS ALL OVER HER BODY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V02400 (AIR BAGS) A MONTH AFTER THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500. *DT CONSUMER STATED HEADACHE BUT NO CONCUSSION. CAR WAS TOTALED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11323847

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2020
Air BagsSeat Belts

I HAVE A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER WITH RECALL NUMBER20TB03 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V024 SINCE JANUARY 17 2020. AND EVERY TIME I CALL THE DEALERSHIPS THEY MENTION THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11321582

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

THIS RECALL MUST BE FIXED ON MY TOYOTA COROLLA LE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS A SERIES SAFETY ISSUE TO THE CONSUMER. [XXX] RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES ON 3/14/2020 AND THE LETTER STATED THAT A REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. PLEASE LET ME KN…

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THIS RECALL MUST BE FIXED ON MY TOYOTA COROLLA LE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS A SERIES SAFETY ISSUE TO THE CONSUMER. [XXX] RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES ON 3/14/2020 AND THE LETTER STATED THAT A REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY E-MAIL WHO TO CONTACT BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY TO MY FAMILY OR ANY PASSENGERS THAT WOULD OCCUPY THE 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA DURING THE NEXT 90 DAYS WHILE WAITING FOR THE COMPANY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SPARTANBURG, SC DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11318023

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

CANNOT RENEW VEHICLE REGISTRATION DUE TO THE RECALL. RECALL CANNOT BE PERFORMED SINCE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY. I'M NOW PLACED IN A POSITION WHEREIN I MIGHT HAVE TO PAY FINES AND OTHER FEES AND NOT HAVE A VALID REGISTERED VEHICLE TO USE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11306393

69,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEHIND A LINE OF CARS ON AN OFF RAMP OFF I-10EAST, EXIT 279 IN VAIL AZ. I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR WHO REPORTED THEY HIT ME GOING 60MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY SEATBELT DID NOT TENSION. I HIT MY HEAD AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT AN…

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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEHIND A LINE OF CARS ON AN OFF RAMP OFF I-10EAST, EXIT 279 IN VAIL AZ. I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR WHO REPORTED THEY HIT ME GOING 60MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY SEATBELT DID NOT TENSION. I HIT MY HEAD AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I SOUGHT MEDICAL TREATMENT AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND NECK INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #11302786

Official recalls

3

20V024000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Jan 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.

19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 28, 2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, 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 incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 2, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

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

2

EA21002 · 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.

Go deeper into Toyota Corolla problems