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2016 Dodge Challenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Dodge Challenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 45.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

47 reports with mileage · 31 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. 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.

10 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

78 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2021
EngineInjury

CHRYSLER MAKER OF DODGE CHALLENGER 2016 AND OTHER MODELS AND OTHER YEARS ARE AWARE OF A MAJOR DEFECT. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ON MANY MAKES AND MODELS LEAK LOTS OF OIL. AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 40,000 OF THIS PART ON BACK ORDER. THEY LEAK OIL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE BURNING OIL PUTS FUMES IN THE CAR AS…

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CHRYSLER MAKER OF DODGE CHALLENGER 2016 AND OTHER MODELS AND OTHER YEARS ARE AWARE OF A MAJOR DEFECT. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ON MANY MAKES AND MODELS LEAK LOTS OF OIL. AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 40,000 OF THIS PART ON BACK ORDER. THEY LEAK OIL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE BURNING OIL PUTS FUMES IN THE CAR AS YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS CAN MAKE YOU SLEEPY AND THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. YOU CANT TAKE A PICTURE OF THE PART WITHOUT REMOVING THE UPER AND LOWER INTAKE. I SENT A PIC OF THE OIL IN MY DRIVE. PLEASE GOOGLE THIS AND SEE THAT THIS NOT A ISOLATED THING BUT A COMMON ALWAYS GONNA HAPPEN THING. THE BURNING OIL MAKES ME FEEL SICK.

NHTSA ODI #11397787

76,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 67 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JAY WALKING AND SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND FACE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 67 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JAY WALKING AND SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND FACE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERING WHICH EMBEDDED INTO HIS SKIN BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE IT WAS BEING HELD FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11389263

65,000 miles · Nov 12, 2020
Wheels

I HAVE THE 6Y TYPE WHEEL ON MY CAR AND ONE HAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE EDGE INWARD. I SEE ON DODGE FORUMS SEVERAL INSTANCE OF THIS TYPE WHEEL CRACKING. I HAVE SPOKE TO BOTH A DEALERSHIP AND FCA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT. STATING ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT. HERE…

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I HAVE THE 6Y TYPE WHEEL ON MY CAR AND ONE HAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE EDGE INWARD. I SEE ON DODGE FORUMS SEVERAL INSTANCE OF THIS TYPE WHEEL CRACKING. I HAVE SPOKE TO BOTH A DEALERSHIP AND FCA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT. STATING ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT. HERE IS A SEARCH RESULTS IM SPEAKING OF. HTTPS://WWW.BING.COM/SEARCH?Q=DODGE+CHALLENGER+WHEELS+CRACKING&FORM=EDGSPH&REFIG=C6656ACA600E4B56A05D3F675A0ADEB3&MKT=EN-US&MSNEWS=1&PC=LCTS&SP=-1&GHC=2&PQ=DODGE+CHALLENGER+WHEELS+CRACKING&SC=1-32&QS=N&SK=&CVID=C6656ACA600E4B56A05D3F675A0ADEB3

NHTSA ODI #11374239

6,022 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

I HAD A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT HEAD ON COLLISION TO GUARD RAILS. SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRICT ME FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD ALSO MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #11366450

111,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Exterior Lighting

NOTICED HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN SOMEONE SAID MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, MY UPGRADED HEADLIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT I DIDN'T NOTICE WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THE $1200. MOPAR BULB WHEN THEY FOUND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, THE FUSE HAD MELTED INTO TH…

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NOTICED HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN SOMEONE SAID MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, MY UPGRADED HEADLIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT I DIDN'T NOTICE WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THE $1200. MOPAR BULB WHEN THEY FOUND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, THE FUSE HAD MELTED INTO THE WIRING HARNESSES. THEY TOLD ME IT'S A $700 PART & 14 HOURS LABOR BUT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER WITH NO ETA 68273736AE SO I COULDN'T FIX IT ANYWAYS. SO I STARTED LOOKING IT UP & THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM & CHRYSLER HAD THIS ISSUE ON RECALL BACK IN 2011-2012. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329106

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2020
Unknown Or Other

UNABLE TO LOOK UP ANY RECALLS BECAUSE YOUR WEBSITE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE MY VIN NUMBER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328437

39,000 miles · Apr 26, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT. SOMETIMES ONE SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. PULLED IN THE GARAGE TO FIND THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT FUSES (FUSE 15 AND FUSE16) WERE BURNT. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON FORUMS AND WEBSITES D…

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MY HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT. SOMETIMES ONE SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. PULLED IN THE GARAGE TO FIND THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT FUSES (FUSE 15 AND FUSE16) WERE BURNT. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON FORUMS AND WEBSITES DEDICATED TO MY CAR, MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE TIMES. LUCKILY THIS TIME I WAS NOT ON A BUSY STREET, BUT I WAS ON A STATE ROUTE A MINUTE PRIOR TO THIS. BOTH MY LOWBEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS WERE AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11322266

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP NOT EVEN A MONTH AGO THEY WERE VERY AWARE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT SEEM TO WORK ON THE CAR AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF ASKING THEM TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEIR MECHANIC OR SAYING MAYBE TOMOROW OR NEXT WEEK GOT NO ANSWER CAR CURRENTLY IS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING WHICH IS MY WORK HOURS…

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BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP NOT EVEN A MONTH AGO THEY WERE VERY AWARE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT SEEM TO WORK ON THE CAR AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF ASKING THEM TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEIR MECHANIC OR SAYING MAYBE TOMOROW OR NEXT WEEK GOT NO ANSWER CAR CURRENTLY IS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING WHICH IS MY WORK HOURS HAVE RECENTLY HAD TO DRIVE WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON AT DARK HOURS BULBS OR NOT HE CULPRIT NOR RELAYS OR FUSE HAS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND LIGHT PROBLEM ALSO CAR SEEMS TO BE STUCK ON THE HEADLIGHTS ON POSITION NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN OFF LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND OR SIDE MARKERS ALONG WITH DASH CLUSTER BEING SO DIM WHERE I'M UNABLE TO SEE DURING THE DAY TIME AND ALSO STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTERED WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11319388

16,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020
Engine

LIFTER NOISE VERY BAD AFTER SITTING STILL TICKS WHEN WARM WAS TOLD BY DODGE THEY ALL DO THAT

NHTSA ODI #11318010

25,352 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Power TrainService BrakesSuspension

CAXMAX SOLD ME A CAR THAT MY MECHANIC DESCRIBED AS FLOOD DAMAGED UP TO THE BODY LINE JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. RUST FROM THE ENGINE TO THE EXHAUST TIPS. ROCKS AND SAND IN ALL BODY CAVITIES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONVEYED THIS INFORMATION TO MY SALESMAN WHO FACILITATED A REFUND. I INCLUDED PHOTOS. A WEEK LATER IT WAS BAC…

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CAXMAX SOLD ME A CAR THAT MY MECHANIC DESCRIBED AS FLOOD DAMAGED UP TO THE BODY LINE JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. RUST FROM THE ENGINE TO THE EXHAUST TIPS. ROCKS AND SAND IN ALL BODY CAVITIES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONVEYED THIS INFORMATION TO MY SALESMAN WHO FACILITATED A REFUND. I INCLUDED PHOTOS. A WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK ON THE CARMAX SOUTH SACRAMENTO WEBSITE (WHERE I BOUGHT IT) WITH UPDATED MILEAGE INFORMATION AND NO MENTION OF THE FLOOD DAMAGE. AS IT IS IN 'UNAVAILABLE' STATUS IT IS LIKELY BEING RESOLD TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #11301517

Official recalls

1

18V332000 · Electrical System:software; Electrical System:wiring; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 17, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:software

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Electrical System:wiring

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

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.