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2012 Dodge Challenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Challenger years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Challenger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 45.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 64 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

17 reports
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211,015 miles · Feb 23, 2026
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that when shifting the vehicle to reverse(R) or to neutral(N), the vehicle would only move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics and was advised that there were known issues associated with the…

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The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that when shifting the vehicle to reverse(R) or to neutral(N), the vehicle would only move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics and was advised that there were known issues associated with the transmission valve body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,015.

NHTSA ODI #11719969

211,015 miles · Feb 23, 2026
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the starter, throttle body, and transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the…

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The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the starter, throttle body, and transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,015.

NHTSA ODI #11719962

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2024
Power Train

While backing into my driveway garage I heard a loud bang and my car's transmission lost its linkage to the drive shaft. The car rolled forward regardless of shifting the car in park, reverse, neutral, drive, etc. I had to stop the car with my brakes and then park the car with my emergency brake enabled to stop the car from ro…

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While backing into my driveway garage I heard a loud bang and my car's transmission lost its linkage to the drive shaft. The car rolled forward regardless of shifting the car in park, reverse, neutral, drive, etc. I had to stop the car with my brakes and then park the car with my emergency brake enabled to stop the car from rolling on its own. A driver could easily be killed by not reacting right to the car when it loses its driving shaft. The driver yoke looks like it could be part of the problem. The car is currently at the transmission repair shop for repair and a safety investigation.

NHTSA ODI #11615645

140,000 miles · Dec 20, 2023
Power TrainTraction Control System

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the traction control sensor needed to be re…

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The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the traction control sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11561161

64,000 miles · Dec 10, 2019
Power TrainVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD CLICKING NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ALSO, T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY, TRANSMISSION, AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD CLICKING NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DID NOT ROLL BACK UP IN THE RAIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED LANDMARK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF MORROW AT 770-968-4900 (LOCATED AT 6850 MOUNT ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #11288219

58,000 miles · Oct 13, 2018
Power Train

DRIVING, ON A CITY STREET WHEN GOING TO MAKE A TURN ONTO HIGHWAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE GEARS, THE SHIFTER HANDLE BRACKET BROKE AWAY FROM TRANSMISSION AND SHIFTER HANDLE FELL TO THE SIDE. THIS IS A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11140147

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN ABOUT 1/8 INCH AS IF THE DOOR IS BEING OPENED AND CLOSED , ITS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE AND FAIL. I READ UP ON THIS AND UNFOURTUNATELY A DODGE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SOMEONE SEEMS TO THINKS ITS THE LATCH WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SOLVER FOR MOST CUSTOMERS . THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN PLACE …

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WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN ABOUT 1/8 INCH AS IF THE DOOR IS BEING OPENED AND CLOSED , ITS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE AND FAIL. I READ UP ON THIS AND UNFOURTUNATELY A DODGE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SOMEONE SEEMS TO THINKS ITS THE LATCH WHICH HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SOLVER FOR MOST CUSTOMERS . THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR BOTH 2011AND 2012 DODGE OWNERS FOR WINDOW LATCH DEFECT

NHTSA ODI #11100629

101,450 miles · May 15, 2017
EnginePower Train

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING TIMING CHAIN,CASING,AND GUIDE I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED AND AFTER I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE 2 WEEKS LATER MY ENGINE SLUNG A ROD THROUGH MY ENGINE BLOCK WHEN VEHICLE EXCELLERATED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR NOW CHRYSLER AS WELL AS DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO REPAIR MY VEHICL…

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING TIMING CHAIN,CASING,AND GUIDE I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED AND AFTER I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE 2 WEEKS LATER MY ENGINE SLUNG A ROD THROUGH MY ENGINE BLOCK WHEN VEHICLE EXCELLERATED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR NOW CHRYSLER AS WELL AS DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE WHEN THE RECALL CLEARLY STATE IF THE JOB IS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY THIS COULD TAKE PLACE I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT BLEW WITH VEHICLES COMING ON BOTH SIDES IT WAS A TWO LANE HIGHWAY 278

NHTSA ODI #10985657

26,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10885652

50,000 miles · Sep 24, 2015
Power Train

SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS HIT 50.000 MILES THE TRANSMITION IS MESSING UP.CAN'T GET IT IN GUEAR OR CAN'T GET IT OUT OF GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10775908

Official recalls

6

19V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

18V021000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

17V435000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jul 10, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

16V352000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

14V634000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Oct 8, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

13V118000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.

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

1

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.