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2018 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 60 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

Check engine light on. Cruise control stopped working. Fuel cap tightened.

NHTSA ODI #11520548

16,500 miles · Oct 19, 2022
Service BrakesCrash

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated without any warning causing the vehicle to drive over the curb and crash into a 7 eleven store building. The air bags did not deploy, and no one was injured. The contact was unsure if there was a police report …

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The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated without any warning causing the vehicle to drive over the curb and crash into a 7 eleven store building. The air bags did not deploy, and no one was injured. The contact was unsure if there was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed, and it was deemed for total loss. The dealer was contacted and stated they were unsure of the cost of the repairs because the vehicle had an anti-lock brake feature. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 16,500.

NHTSA ODI #11490000

78,000 miles · May 23, 2022
Service BrakesSteeringCrash

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and she depressed on the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into a traffic sign in the middle of the street. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did …

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The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and she depressed on the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into a traffic sign in the middle of the street. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive to her residence but continue to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a collision center and had the bumper replaced. The mechanic informed that he had also experienced the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact traded the vehicle for another vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #11465793

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2021
Service Brakes

UNKNOWN BRAKE FAILURE AFTER SLOW SPEED STOP (LOCK UP)

NHTSA ODI #11434967

19,450 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Service Brakes

TODAY AT APPROXIMATELY 4PM NOV 19, 2019, I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR, PUT IT IN PARK AND WHEN I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE INTO PLACE THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD A LITTLE BUT STOPPED AS SOON AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I FILED A REPORT BACK ON OCTOBER 20, 2019, PLEASE REFER TO CASE #11271148. I …

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TODAY AT APPROXIMATELY 4PM NOV 19, 2019, I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR, PUT IT IN PARK AND WHEN I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE INTO PLACE THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD A LITTLE BUT STOPPED AS SOON AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I FILED A REPORT BACK ON OCTOBER 20, 2019, PLEASE REFER TO CASE #11271148. I AM BRINGING THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, NOV 23, 2019, SO IT CAN BE CHECKED OUT AS TO WHY THE CAR IS JERKING WHEN IN PARK. I WANT TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT AS WELL. I JUST PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE AUTOBODY SHOP FROM THE REPAIRS IT HAD DONE BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT ON OCT 20, 2019. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11281247

19,200 miles · Oct 26, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019, APPROXIMATELY 3:10 PM I GOT INTO MY 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN PARK, AND WAS NOT RUNNING ON A FLAT SURFACE. I REALIZED I FORGOT MY WALLET SO I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN. I RETRIEVED MY WALLET WITHIN 1 MINUTE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY CAR WAS ROLLING SLOWLY ON…

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ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019, APPROXIMATELY 3:10 PM I GOT INTO MY 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN PARK, AND WAS NOT RUNNING ON A FLAT SURFACE. I REALIZED I FORGOT MY WALLET SO I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN. I RETRIEVED MY WALLET WITHIN 1 MINUTE AND WHEN I CAME OUT MY CAR WAS ROLLING SLOWLY ON THE FLAT DRIVEWAY WHERE I PARK EVERY DAY. I TRIED TO GRAB THE DOOR HANDLE TO SEE IF I COULD JUMP IN THE CAR TO STOP IT BUT IT PICKED UP SPEED AND WENT DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE ACROSS THE YARD. THE DOOR HIT A TREE AND THEN THE CAR LANDED IN BUSHES. MY NEIGHBORS CAME RUNNING OVER BECAUSE THEY SAW THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I STARTED THE CAR'S ENGINE SINCE IT WAS NEVER TURNED ON AND DROVE IT OUT OF THE BUSHES BACK ONTO THE FLAT DRIVEWAY. THE CAR ROLLED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK AND WAS NOT RUNNING. EVERYONE IS NOT SURE WHY THAT WOULD HAPPEN. I'M ASKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THE GEAR SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. I CALLED MY INSURANCE THEY FILED A CLAIM BUT STATED IT WAS VERY STRANGE FOR THE CAR TO HAVE ROLLED AND TOLD ME TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL, ALSO THE ADJUSTER SAID IT WAS VERY STRANGE AS WELL FOR THE CAR TO ROLL IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING. THEY SUGGESTED IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11271148

17,890 miles · Mar 19, 2019
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

THE 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA CRUISE CONTROL IS DANGEROUS. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS BUT THROTTLE DOES NOT REDUCE CAUSING CAR TO INCREASE SPEED 10-15 MPH WITH HIGH RPMS. AT BOTTOM OF INCLINE TRANSMISSION GOES TO HIGHER GEAR AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED VERY HARD CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDE…

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THE 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA CRUISE CONTROL IS DANGEROUS. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON, GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS BUT THROTTLE DOES NOT REDUCE CAUSING CAR TO INCREASE SPEED 10-15 MPH WITH HIGH RPMS. AT BOTTOM OF INCLINE TRANSMISSION GOES TO HIGHER GEAR AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED VERY HARD CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY SLOWDOWN 15-20 MPH. IN THIS SITUATION IF CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DISENGAGED THE CAR WILL GO WELL OVER THE SPEED LIMIT AND TO AN UNSAFE SPEED FOR THE ROADWAY. THE BRAKING ACTION IS SO SUDDEN AND VIOLENT IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND HAS SEVERAL TIMES IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS CAUSED ME TO VERY NEARLY GET REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE BEHIND ME WHICH WAS NOT ORIGINALLY FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. AS THE DANGEROUS CRUISE CONTROL STARTS ITS INCREASE IN SPEED THE VEHICLES BEHIND MAY INCREASE THEIR SPEED AND AS THEY ARE INCREASING SPEED MY CAR CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM JAMS ON THE BRAKES AND CAUSE THE FOLLOWING CAR TO COME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO COLLISION. AS WELL THE OTHER DRIVER HAS ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASIONS BECAME ANGRY STARTED ROAD RAGING THINKING I HAD PURPOSELY BRAKE CHECKED. THE 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA CRUISE CONTROL IS DANGEROUS, COULD CERTAINLY BE DEADLY BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND FURTHER IS VIRTUALLY UNUSABLE AS A PURCHASED FEATURE ON ANYTHING BUT A FLAT ROAD. I'VE DRIVEN OVER 20 CARS IN MY LIFE AND AM VERY EXPERIENCED WITH CRUISE CONTROLS IN 6 DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS CARS. THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA COULD CAUSE INJURY, LAWSUIT, ROAD RAGE WITH PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. I'VE ALREADY HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND AM TAKING IT BACK THIS WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #11190123

25 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherWheels

GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND REVERSING IN CAR UNDER 25 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TLDTHAT I AM BRAKING TOO HARD (SERIOUSLY IN A NEW CAR??) & WINDOW PAEENGER SIDE FRONT MAKES NOISE WHILE GOING UP AND DOWN THEY SAID THEY LUBRICATED IT BUT NOW ITS MAKING MORE NOISE..

NHTSA ODI #11129286

3,000 miles · Aug 30, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD OR THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADRIEL TOYOTA RO GRANDE (PR-3, RO GRANDE, 00745, PUERTO RICO, 1-…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD OR THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADRIEL TOYOTA RO GRANDE (PR-3, RO GRANDE, 00745, PUERTO RICO, 1-(787) 627-2424), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11123438

200 miles · Aug 23, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE REVERSING AND DRIVING FORWARD, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIPTON TOYOTA (1700 W OAKLAND PARK BLVD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33311, (954) 790-6137) WHERE THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE REVERSING AND DRIVING FORWARD, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIPTON TOYOTA (1700 W OAKLAND PARK BLVD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33311, (954) 790-6137) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE THAT NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER A SECOND TIME AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SPACE IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200. **TR CONSUMER STATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE CONTINUOUS ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE'S ALSO NOISE AT TIMES WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH I CAN'T IDENTIFY. MAYBE, AS IF THERE IS TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR ALSO SOMETIMES VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE FRONT TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO ALMOST FLAT, THEREFORE, CAUSING THE CAR TO KEEP PULLING TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER, THE FRONT WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS/IS SQUEAKING. 8/12/18 SENSOR LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. 8/16/18 BRAKE PAD NOISE WAS OBSERVED. CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT MAUALLY DESIGNED. UPDATED 10/30/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11121820

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.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 13, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. 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 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

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.

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.

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