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2017 Dodge Charger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 67 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

[XXX] [XXX] ] Urgent Safety Concerns with 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona - Complaint [XXX] Hello Dodge Corporate, I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction and deep concern regarding the safety issues I have encountered with my 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona, which I purchased as a brand-new vehicle from Fremont Chrysler D…

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[XXX] [XXX] ] Urgent Safety Concerns with 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona - Complaint [XXX] Hello Dodge Corporate, I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction and deep concern regarding the safety issues I have encountered with my 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona, which I purchased as a brand-new vehicle from Fremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. I am reaching out to you as the first owner of this vehicle with genuine worries about its safety features and functionality. Recently, I experienced a terrifying situation while driving my Dodge Charger on the highway. At a speed of 75 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly applied the brakes on its own, putting me and other drivers at significant risk of an accident. This erratic behavior is entirely unacceptable and poses a severe threat to both my safety and the safety of others on the road. Moreover, the issues do not end there. On numerous occasions, my Dodge Charger has exhibited erratic behavior, including failure to accelerate, sudden stalling, and a complete blackout of the dashboard display. Despite repeated attempts to rectify these problems, including multiple battery replacements, the vehicle remains unreliable and unsafe to operate. Additionally, critical safety features such as the backup camera have ceased to function, further compromising my ability to operate the vehicle safely. It is pertinent to note that my Dodge Charger has only accumulated 23,000 miles since its purchase in 2017, indicating that these issues are not a result of normal wear and tear but rather a fundamental flaw in the vehicle's design or manufacturing. My attempts to address these pressing safety concerns with both the Dodge dealer and your corporate customer service department have been met with disappointment and disregard. I was informed that since my vehicle is no longer under warranty, there is nothing that can be done to remedy these life-threatening issues. This response is utterly unacceptable and fails to acknowledge the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ODI #11582008

87,500 miles · Aug 29, 2022
Service BrakesSteeringVisibility/wiper

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers inadvertently increased speed and the cruise control accelerated the vehicle to over 100 MPH. The contact stated that the electronic braking system and power steering failed. The contact then pulled the…

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The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers inadvertently increased speed and the cruise control accelerated the vehicle to over 100 MPH. The contact stated that the electronic braking system and power steering failed. The contact then pulled the neutral override feature to stop the vehicle. The contact then restarted the vehicle and proceeded to his destination. There were numerous unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to diagnose and determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,500.

NHTSA ODI #11481818

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

BRAND NEW VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR BREAK PROBLEMS AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. MORE THAN ONE CERTIFIED DEALER HAVE REPLACED DRUMS, BREAK PADS AND TIE-ROD BUSHING WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. THE CAR SEVERELY SHAKES AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHEN BREAKING, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND COMING DOWN H…

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BRAND NEW VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR BREAK PROBLEMS AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. MORE THAN ONE CERTIFIED DEALER HAVE REPLACED DRUMS, BREAK PADS AND TIE-ROD BUSHING WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. THE CAR SEVERELY SHAKES AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHEN BREAKING, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND COMING DOWN HILLS. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE CAR DEALER(S) FOR AS LONG AS OVER A MONTH ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. A DRUMMING SOUND CAN BE HEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THESE SYMPTOMS. TO THE DEALER'S RESPONSE (FREMONT CDJR) NO PROBLEMS ARE FOUND. LAME EXCUSES I HAVE HEARD FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT: ED MORGA/SERVICE AND PARTS DIRECTOR; [XXX]/SERVICE ADVISOR AND OTHERS STATE THAT THERE ARE NOT PROBLEMS; THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THIS TYPE OF BREAKING; NOISE WILL GO AWAY ONCE THE PARTS WARM-UP; SERPENTINE BELT AND OTHERS. ON THE OTHER HAND, SERVICE TECHNICIANS SUCH AS [XXX]/SHOP FOREMAN; [XXX]/ SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND OTHERS HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR ALONE WITH ME FOR TESTING; AND CORROBORATING SUCH PROBLEMS TO EXIST. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED TO THE DEALER SINCE THE SERVICE ON WITH 18,1403 MILES. VEHICLE HAS NOW 60,123 MILES AND THE PROBLEMS NEVER FIXED. A CARE CASE WAS FILED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS (CARE CASE # [XXX]). ALSO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FAILS. ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND COMMANDS LOCK/FREEZE OR DISAPPEAR WITHOUT WARNING, AFFECTING THE VEHICLE'S FUNCTIONALITY. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE ISSUE. NEVER GOT IT RESOLVED EITHER. I'M DESPERATELY SEEKING YOUR HELP SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN FOR ASSISTANCE. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT THE DEALER HAS TAKING FOR GRANTED. SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MAY AWAIT A TRAGEDY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. PLEASE ASSIST. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11377380

38,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THE BULLETIN ON MOPAR WEBSITE IS IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL PANEL. NOT ONCE WAS THERE A RECALL. STARTING ON 1/23/19 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON HIM AND HE COULDN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY SAID OH IT'S THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY MODULE BUT YO…

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THE BULLETIN ON MOPAR WEBSITE IS IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL PANEL. NOT ONCE WAS THERE A RECALL. STARTING ON 1/23/19 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON HIM AND HE COULDN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THEY SAID OH IT'S THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY MODULE BUT YOU'RE PAST MILEAGE FOR COVERAGE. SO I CALL MOPAR THEY GET ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON THE LINE WE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. TODAY 1/24/19 MY HUSBAND IS DRIVING TO CLASS IN MORNING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ALL CAPABILITY'S TO STEER BRAKE DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE LUCKILY CAME ON LONG ENOUGH TO MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD THEN THE VEHICLE AGAIN SHUT OFF HE COULDN'T BRAKE VEHICLE JUST KEPT MOVING THEN EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED AND SHUT OFF ON IT'S OWN. HE WAS DRIVING ON DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY IN MORNING TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC ISN'T LIGHT THE THOUGHT OF HIM BEING REAR ENDED AND SOMETHING MORE HAPPENING IS DISHEARTENING KNOWING THEY KNEW THEY HAD ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL PANEL BUT DIDN'T DO A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11171802

2,900 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Service Brakes

THIS CAR IS POSSESSED. IT WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND COME TO A STOP. THERE WILL BE NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE CAR WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. IT HAS DONE IT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE A SE…

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THIS CAR IS POSSESSED. IT WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND COME TO A STOP. THERE WILL BE NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU AND THE CAR WILL SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP. IT HAS DONE IT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11024858

Official recalls

4

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.

18V281000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

May 1, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

17V496000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Aug 8, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.

17V097000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Feb 14, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.

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.