← New search

2014 Acura Rlx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Rlx years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Steering. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
130,000 miles · May 15, 2026
Electrical SystemSteering

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable, the vehicle steering wheel veered left or right and is misaligned. The warning lights lane departure, forward collision, all wheel steering, power steering and other warning i…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable, the vehicle steering wheel veered left or right and is misaligned. The warning lights lane departure, forward collision, all wheel steering, power steering and other warning indicators illuminated. In another occurrence, a noise could be heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. A used part for a rear wheel steering actuator was replaced.; however the issue persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11738094

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2025
Electrical SystemLane DepartureSteering

I purchased a 2014 Acura RLX. It had a LKAS Problem warning when purchased. I thought that meant that feature would be disabled. No big deal. In stead I have experienced the car making abrupt jerks to the right on multiple occasions. One instance, I turned onto an on-ramp that was dual lane. There was a vehicle to the right of m…

Read full complaint

I purchased a 2014 Acura RLX. It had a LKAS Problem warning when purchased. I thought that meant that feature would be disabled. No big deal. In stead I have experienced the car making abrupt jerks to the right on multiple occasions. One instance, I turned onto an on-ramp that was dual lane. There was a vehicle to the right of me and my car abruptly jerked to the right towards the other car. I was able to slow a bit before entering the interstate traffic to gain control. Another instance, I turned left onto a county road. Upon straighten my steering wheel the car made another sudden jerk to the right with my steering wheel still partially turned to the left, and several warning lights and message started appearing, including: Brake system problem, adaptive cruise control problem, brake hold system problem, power steering system problem, and vehicle stability assist problem. I have noticed a rubbing sound coming from the rear end at times when turning. There have been 3 other instances where the car was jerked to the right with no additional warning lights or warning. Luckily those times there were no other vehicles nearby and I was moving at a slower speed allowing me to be able to slow down and correct the issue. The vehicle has not been inspected yet. The vehicle has an appointment with the dealership in the next 24 hours. It is available for inspection upon request. This is a serious safety issue! My teenage kids are not safe to drive this vehicle! The vehicle is in excellent structural condition and the motor runs excellent. It sounds like the RTC actuators is a huge issue!

NHTSA ODI #11687574

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2025
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

This car is equipped with four wheel steering. The actuators that control the real wheels activate when the steering wheel has not turned. This occurs when the car has completed a turn and is moving in a straight line.

NHTSA ODI #11666245

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2022
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, the power steering and the brakes failed with the ABS and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact's son managed to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder as the power steering and the brake functionality returned. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained for several weeks. The contact was initially informed that the alternator needed to be replaced; however, the contact was later informed that the failure was related to the battery. The dealer then informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure and the vehicle was towed back to his residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The consumer stated the manufacturer and the dealer refused to put in writing what actions modifications, or alterations they made to the vehicle which they had in their possession for nearly 9 weeks.

NHTSA ODI #11493090

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2021
Electrical SystemSuspension

Had starter replaced on my vehicle and still doing the same thing it was doing before. I click the push to start button and just get a grinding noise or sometime nothing will happen. I been reading forms and a lot of Rlx owners are reporting the same issue. Other problem I’m having with the vehicle is the Paws system can feel th…

Read full complaint

Had starter replaced on my vehicle and still doing the same thing it was doing before. I click the push to start button and just get a grinding noise or sometime nothing will happen. I been reading forms and a lot of Rlx owners are reporting the same issue. Other problem I’m having with the vehicle is the Paws system can feel the car wanting to kick out in the rear wheels feel like they are turning when I’m going straight

NHTSA ODI #11442746

89,000 miles · Sep 23, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact stated the failure continued to occur periodically. The vehicle was able to restart. The lane control, forward control collision, slip differential and hill assist warning lights were illumina…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RLX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact stated the failure continued to occur periodically. The vehicle was able to restart. The lane control, forward control collision, slip differential and hill assist warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V301000 (Forward Collision Avoidance). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #11434102

97,000 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

CAR RANDOMLY STEERS ITSELF INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES OR ONTO THE ROADSIDE. ACURA DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT IT, REPAIR COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH. TOO DANGEROUS TO TRUST THE VEHICLE WITH THESE ISSUES. LKAS, LDW, ACC, BRAKE HOLD SYSTEM LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF. HAPPENS IN PARKING LOTS, AND COUNTRY ROADS, ON HIGHWAYS. STEERING IS ERR…

Read full complaint

CAR RANDOMLY STEERS ITSELF INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES OR ONTO THE ROADSIDE. ACURA DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT IT, REPAIR COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH. TOO DANGEROUS TO TRUST THE VEHICLE WITH THESE ISSUES. LKAS, LDW, ACC, BRAKE HOLD SYSTEM LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF. HAPPENS IN PARKING LOTS, AND COUNTRY ROADS, ON HIGHWAYS. STEERING IS ERRATIC AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN THIS OCCURS, NOT NECESSARILY OVER OR UNDER 50MPH. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN A PARKING LOT. ALL TOGETHER WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE 14 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329795

119,000 miles · Apr 30, 2020
Electrical System

MMEDIATELY ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED THE FOLLOWING SENSOR CODES POP UP: VSA, ALL WHEEL STEERING, EPS PROBLEM, FORWARD COLLISION PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. WHEN THE SENSORS ARE ON THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO GO ABOVE 50 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11322829

500 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON U.S. 1, A SIX LANE ROAD, I PLACED A TELEPHONE CALL USING THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHORTLY AFTER THE CALL WAS CONNECTED, THE CAR'S WARNING ALARM SOUNDED AND AN "I" APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION DISPLAY. FRANTICALLY TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I USED THE CONTROL …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON U.S. 1, A SIX LANE ROAD, I PLACED A TELEPHONE CALL USING THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHORTLY AFTER THE CALL WAS CONNECTED, THE CAR'S WARNING ALARM SOUNDED AND AN "I" APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION DISPLAY. FRANTICALLY TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I USED THE CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO SCROLL DOWN THE INFORMATION LIST AND FOUND A RED DISPLAY SAYING "12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM PROBLEM". BECAUSE TRAFFIC WAS SO THICK, I DECIDED NOT TO TRY TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT TO A RED LIGHT, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE MESSAGE DID NOT REAPPEAR. BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR FOR A MONTH, I ASSUMED THAT ACURA USED ITS LINK SYSTEM TO REMOTELY CORRECT THE SOFTWARE ERROR. THE ASSUMPTION WAS INCORRECT. OVER THE NEXT 5 MONTHS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES. ON SEPTEMBER 19 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ACURA BULLETIN ON THIS SOFTWARE ISSUE DATED APRIL 16, 2014. IN MY OPINION, THIS SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT ISSUES A FALSE ALARM THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A NOISY RECALL, OR AT LEAST A QUIET RECALL. MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 OCCASIONS BETWEEN MAY 15 AND SEPTEMBER 19, AND THE SOFTWARE ERROR WAS NOT CORRECTED. IF ACURA COULD SEND AN E-MAIL TO ALL OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 16 ADVISING OF A SOFTWARE INCOMPATIBILITY FOR STATIONARY VEHICLES WITH THE IOS 8 FOR IPHONES, WHY COULDN'T ACURA SEND AN E-MAIL REGARDING AN ERROR IN ACURA SOFTWARE THAT AFFECTS MOVING VEHICLES? I RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE. MY REQUESTS FOR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF AMERICAN HONDA AND AMERICAN HONDA'S CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER WERE DENIED. I DID NOT EVEN SUCCEED IN SPEAKING WITH A SUPERVISOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637812

1,500 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT RANDOM TIMES - THIS CAN BE WHEN UNDER MODERATE LOAD TO LIGHT LOAD. THIS WILL LIMIT THE CAR TO A SPEED TO APPROX. 50MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN 10+MPH AND SOMETIMES WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COME TO A DEAD STOP TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THIS HAS CAUSED …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT RANDOM TIMES - THIS CAN BE WHEN UNDER MODERATE LOAD TO LIGHT LOAD. THIS WILL LIMIT THE CAR TO A SPEED TO APPROX. 50MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN 10+MPH AND SOMETIMES WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COME TO A DEAD STOP TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THIS HAS CAUSED A HANDFUL OF SAFETY RISK AS YOU CANNOT FORCE THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN SOME INSTANCES - LIKE MERGING ON A HIGHWAY OR A HIGHWAY WITHOUT A SHOULDER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 4 OTHER RLX THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED - ACURA'S RESPONSE WAS WE DON'T SEE IT BEING A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. - NO MATTER MY SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY HARD FOR THE DEALER TO REPRODUCE - IT CAN BE FORCIBLY REPRODUCED WITH HEAVY LOAD - BUT THE RANDOM LIGHTER LOAD EXAMPLES CAN TAKE 1-2 WEEK TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551628

Official recalls

5

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

15V301000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

May 20, 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal guardrails as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.

14V792000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Dec 16, 2014

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014. An aluminum film applied to the inner reflector of the headlight may experience adhesion issues causing the film to delaminate. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.

14V639000 · Seat Belts

Oct 10, 2014

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to August 25, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to November 25, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger seat belt may not extend or retract in low temperatures.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A seatbelt that does not function increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Honda has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's number for this recall is JK7 for the MKX, and JK8 for the RLX.

13V622000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 16, 2013

American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, through November 5, 2013. The bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the sub-frame of the vehicle may have loosened during transport to dealerships.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loose rear lower control arm bolts may reduce steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension lower control arm bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early January 2014. Customers may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD0.

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.