NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
178 reportsMileage 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 · Mar 13, 2020
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11317912
52,000 miles · Mar 12, 2020
Service Brakes
FIRST OCCURED AT 45K, DRIVING HOME ON CITY STREET TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO STOP, WENT TO BRAKE AND PEDAL DEPRESSED TO FLOOR AND CAR DID NOT STOP. WAS ABLE TO ENGINE BRAKE AND USING PARKING BRAKE TO SAFETLY STOP. TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP, AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE AND REPLACED $500. NOTI…
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FIRST OCCURED AT 45K, DRIVING HOME ON CITY STREET TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO STOP, WENT TO BRAKE AND PEDAL DEPRESSED TO FLOOR AND CAR DID NOT STOP. WAS ABLE TO ENGINE BRAKE AND USING PARKING BRAKE TO SAFETLY STOP. TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP, AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD PREMATURE FAILURE AND REPLACED $500. NOTIFIED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS USA, NO RESOLUTION. ON 3/12/20, DRIVING HOME AND TRAFFIC CAME TO SUDDEN STOP ON 80MPH INTERSTATE TRAVELING STRAIGHT, HIT THE BRAKES AND NOTHING, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. DROVE CAR INTO MEDIAN DITCH WITH ENGINE AND PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED TO AVOID ACCIDENT. LUCKILY NO DAMAGE TO CAR OR PEOPLE, PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURED. TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP, DIAGNOSED AGAIN WITH MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE, CAR AT 52K MILES NOW, BARELY 8K FROM LAST REPLACEMENT . NOTIFIED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AGAIN WITHOUT RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11317774
35,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE, EVEN DANGEROUS. YOU CAN SEE A DISTINCT "HORIZON LINE" IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHICH HAS A SHARP CUTOFF ABOVE WHICH THERE IS NO ILLUMINATION. IN SPITE OF THEIR EXTREME INTENSITY, THESE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE EVERYTHING BUT THE ROAD AHEAD. MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. I THOUGHT THEY WER…
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HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE, EVEN DANGEROUS. YOU CAN SEE A DISTINCT "HORIZON LINE" IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHICH HAS A SHARP CUTOFF ABOVE WHICH THERE IS NO ILLUMINATION. IN SPITE OF THEIR EXTREME INTENSITY, THESE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE EVERYTHING BUT THE ROAD AHEAD. MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. I THOUGHT THEY WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY BUT DEALER SAYS THEY LOOK OK. I HAVE SINCE OBSERVED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES FOR THE COROLLA OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. HERE IS ONE OF MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE WEB: "THE MAIN FRONT LED LOW BEAM IS A PROBLEM ON ALL TRIMS OF THIS CURRENT GENERATION. IT IS TOO BRIGHT AND BLINDS ONCOMING DRIVERS, THERE IS ALSO A HARD CUTOFF LINE IN WHICH YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOVE IT. THEY ALSO POORLY LIGHT THE ROAD. THE BEAM GOES EVERYWHERE BUT THE ROAD. IT SEEMS THEY ARE INCORRECTLY AIMED." "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?" ONLY ALLOWS FOR A SINGLE DATE. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. WHICH OCCURS ANYTIME YOU TRY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11311385
50,000 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
HELP
NHTSA ODI #11309909
21,933 miles · Feb 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SUBURBAN STREET WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC IN NICE WEATHER WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A LIKE A LOUD EXPLOSION. I THOUGHT I GOT SHOT BY A GUN BUT I DIDN'T FEEL ANY PAIN SO I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS SHOT. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DAMAGE, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LATER ON, MY H…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SUBURBAN STREET WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC IN NICE WEATHER WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A LIKE A LOUD EXPLOSION. I THOUGHT I GOT SHOT BY A GUN BUT I DIDN'T FEEL ANY PAIN SO I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS SHOT. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DAMAGE, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LATER ON, MY HUSBAND SAW THE SUNROOF SHATTERED IN OUR GARAGE, SOMETHING I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF MY HEIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11309363
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2020
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER TOYOTA OF TAMPA BAY, 1101 E. FLETCHER AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612, CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER TOYOTA OF TAMPA BAY, 1101 E. FLETCHER AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612, CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11308148
97,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA, 19550 NORDHOFF ST, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (NORTHRIDGE TOYOTA, 19550 NORDHOFF ST, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE SHIM KIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #11307303
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringWheels
THE CAR IS PULLING I'VE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 6 TIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR IS SHAKING AND PULLING AND IT FEELS LIKE I'M GOING TO FLIP OVER FROM THE WIND YOU CAN GO OVER 60 ON THE FREEWAY IF A CAR IS NEXT TO YOU MY CAR WILL SHAKE WHEN I TURN I'M SO SCARD THE TIRES ARE GOING TO BREAK OFF IT'S NOT A SAFE CAR
NHTSA ODI #11307206
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
Official recalls
3Jan 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.
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.
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
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.