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2013 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Accord years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Accord are substantially higher than the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

882 reports with mileage · 538 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 499 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 414 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 179 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports9 fire reports42 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,420 reports
83,100 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Steering

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY ONTO A BUSY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING(EPS) WAS COUNTERING THE STEERING EFFORT. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN HOPES TO REGAIN…

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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY ONTO A BUSY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING(EPS) WAS COUNTERING THE STEERING EFFORT. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN HOPES TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL WAS WITH THE CAR OFF AND IN NEUTRAL, MEANING I HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC, RELYING ONLY ON THE MOMENTUM OF THE SLOPED ROAD TO HELP GUIDE THE VEHICLE SAFELY AWAY FROM TRAFFIC LANES. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. SERVICE ADVISER LOOKED UP VEHICLE HISTORY AND THE RECALL FOR EPS CONTROLLER SOFTWARE HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED 2 YEARS PRIOR. HONDA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM DUE TO KNOWN TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE ISSUES. ADVISER SAID IF, OBD SCAN SHOWS FAULT CODE RELATING TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE, HONDA WOULD COVER COMPLETE COST TO REPLACE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. HOURS LATER, ADVISER CONTACTS ME AND SAYS THE SCAN SHOWS THAT IT WAS NOT THE THE TORQUE SENSOR THAT FAILED, BUT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST. I ARGUED THAT THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO PREVENT SUCH AN ISSUE FROM OCCURRING, AND THE FACT THAT A COMPUTER SYSTEM CONTROLLING THE STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE IS AN ALARMING SAFETY ISSUE THAT AMERICAN HONDA SHOULD LOOK INTO AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF PAYING FOR SUCH A REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS 83,100 MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER AND ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT SAME DEALER. NEVER HAD PRIOR STEERING ISSUES AND WAS NEVER ADVISED OF ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES. HONDA SYMPATHETICALLY ONLY AGREED TO COVER HALF THE REPAIR COST.

NHTSA ODI #11204424

77,385 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77,000 AND SEEMS TO TURN OFF ON IT OWN , LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STAYS ON BUT WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE IT WONT TURN ON

NHTSA ODI #11203503

91,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Electrical System

STARTER IS MALFUNCTIONING. GRINDS AT FIRST AND TYPICALLY STARTS ON SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT.

NHTSA ODI #11202877

34,000 miles · Apr 20, 2019
Power Train

WHEN PUSHING START BUTTON THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A GRINDING SCREECHING NOISE. AT 34,000 MILES STARTER WAS REPLACED. NOW AT 70,000 MILES SAME NOISE IS COMING AGAIN FROM ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH V6 MODELS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN 16-002 FOR THIS ISSUE HOWEVER AFTER ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ONCE ALREADY IT SEEMS TO BE…

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WHEN PUSHING START BUTTON THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A GRINDING SCREECHING NOISE. AT 34,000 MILES STARTER WAS REPLACED. NOW AT 70,000 MILES SAME NOISE IS COMING AGAIN FROM ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH V6 MODELS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN 16-002 FOR THIS ISSUE HOWEVER AFTER ADDRESSING THE ISSUE ONCE ALREADY IT SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11202659

50,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSED THE START BUTTON, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED. PENSACOLA HONDA (6675 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505, (800) 747-3966) STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 24 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSED THE START BUTTON, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED. PENSACOLA HONDA (6675 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505, (800) 747-3966) STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 24 DAYS AGO AND THEY COULD NOT FUND THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE STARTER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11196848

66,760 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Steering

ON 4/12/2019, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 24:00 (MIDNIGHT) ON FREEWAY 22 WESTBOUND NEAR THE BLOCK THAT I SUDDENLY REALIZED I LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 70MPH PLUS. THE STEERING WHEEL ICON LIGHT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST AT A CURVE AREA OF THE FREEWAY, I TURNED ON MY EMER…

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ON 4/12/2019, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 24:00 (MIDNIGHT) ON FREEWAY 22 WESTBOUND NEAR THE BLOCK THAT I SUDDENLY REALIZED I LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 70MPH PLUS. THE STEERING WHEEL ICON LIGHT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST AT A CURVE AREA OF THE FREEWAY, I TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHT AND SLOWED THE CAR DOWN BY HITTING THE BREAK. THERE WERE AROUND 4 CARS TO MY RIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REACH THE EXIT LANE TO THE RIGHT DUE TO THE CURVATURE OF THE FREEWAY TURNING LEFT BY GOING STRAIGHT. AS I SLOWED DOWN THE CAR ON THE EXIT LANE, I YANKED THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO THE LEFT THEN RIGHT TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO STAY IN THE LANE. AFTER I EXITED THE FREEWAY ON HASTER STREET, I YANKED THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE TURN AND FOUND A SMALL STREET THEN COME TO A STOP. AT THIS TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL ICON STILL ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. I TURNED OF THE CAR AFTER PUT IT TO PARK THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE ICON DISAPPEARED. I GOT CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL BACK. I PROCEEDED TO GARDEN GROVE STREET HEADING WEST TOWARD MY HOME. AT THE FIRST RED LIGHT ON GARDEN GROVE, I STOPPED AND DID NOT STEER THE WHEEL. AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME AGAIN. THE ICON APPEARED AGAIN ON MY DASHBOARD. I AGAIN TURNED OFF AND ON THE CAR AND THE ICON DISAPPEARED AND I HAD MY CONTROL BACK. FROM THERE, I DROVE SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE TO MY HOME. THIS TIME, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON 4/13/2019, WHICH IS TODAY, I DROPPED OFF MY CAR AT HONDA WORLD DEALER ON 13600 BEACH BLVD, WESTMINSTER, CA 92683 AND TOLD ONE OF THE REPS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE DID THE INQUIRY ON MY CAR AND SYSTEM SHOWED THERE WAS A RECALL OF EPS GEARBOX REPLACEMENT AT THIS DEALERSHIP. I HOPE NHTSA WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUS AND HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #11196050

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2019
Unknown Or Other

STARTER STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11195256

99,000 miles · Apr 9, 2019
Unknown Or Other

PUSH BUTTON START IS NOT RESPONDING ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED,THE BATTERY IS ACTIVATED AND ALL LIGHTS AND RADIO ARE OPERATIONAL, HOWEVER THE CAR DOES NOT START. BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND ALL CONNECTIONS SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. V6 MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN 16-002 ISSUED FOR STARTER, HOW…

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PUSH BUTTON START IS NOT RESPONDING ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED,THE BATTERY IS ACTIVATED AND ALL LIGHTS AND RADIO ARE OPERATIONAL, HOWEVER THE CAR DOES NOT START. BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED AND ALL CONNECTIONS SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. V6 MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN 16-002 ISSUED FOR STARTER, HOWEVER MY CAR IS A FOUR CYLINDER AND THEREFORE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE LOOKED AT UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN.. ISSUE CAN HAPPEN AFTER SEVERAL STARTS DURING THE DAY, AFTER SITTING IN COLD OR GARAGE. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING OR NOT. CAR HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS SAME SITUATION WITH MY MODEL, SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS WITH THE V6. THIS IS AN ONGOING AND RANDOM ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN UNABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, BUT NOT SURE IF THIS LUCK WILL END SOON.

NHTSA ODI #11194973

95,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019
Electrical System

THE BATTERY SENSOR HAS GAPS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR OTHER DANGEROUS COMPLICATIONS. THE CAR OFTEN DOESN'T START. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT NOT THIS VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11194501

27,876 miles · Apr 6, 2019
Steering

ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 WE MADE A 600 MILE TRIP FROM COOKEVILLE, TN TO SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. THE NEXT MORNING, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS NORMAL AT ONE POINT, I ROTATED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEEL CONTINUED TURNING BY ITSELF WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I RO…

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ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 WE MADE A 600 MILE TRIP FROM COOKEVILLE, TN TO SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED. THE NEXT MORNING, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS NORMAL AT ONE POINT, I ROTATED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEEL CONTINUED TURNING BY ITSELF WHILE THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I ROTATED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND MET WITH RESISTANCE. I ROTATED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEEL STARTED TURNING BY ITSELF. I THEN NOTICED THE EPS LIGHT WAS ON. I CONTINUED TO ROTATE THE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH. I GOT TO THE CENTER POSITIONED AND THE WHEEL THEN TURNED RAPIDLY TO THE RIGHT BY ITSELF . I IMMEDIATELY DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALER. ON THE WAY THERE THE WHEEL VIOLENTLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE CURB AT 35 MPH.I THEN ARRIVED AT JIM RIEHL HONDA IN STERLING HEIGHTS , MICHIGAN. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A "POSITION SENSOR". THEY RELATED TO ME THAT THEY HAD DOWNLOADED THE SOFTWARE AND THIS SEEMED TO HAVE CLEARED THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING BACK TO MY NEXT DESTINATION (10 MILES) THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM RESURFACED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS CLOSED. I LEFT A MESSAGE THAT I WAS BRINGING THE CAR IN MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 8, 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11194358

Official recalls

5

25V422000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 19, 2025

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission. The affected vehicles were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The driveshaft may corrode and break, due to damage from road salt or other contaminants.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is OM2. This recall expands previous recall number 20V769.

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.

20V769000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Dec 10, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Accord vehicles equipped with a 4-cylinder engine and a continuously-variable transmission that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts were assembled with a lubricant that may have degraded the drive shafts' protective coating, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing both the left and right drive shafts, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

17V418000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Jun 29, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Honda Accord vehicles. The case for the battery sensor, part of the battery management system, may allow water to get in, potentially causing an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor, free of charge. Dealers will perform an interim remedy of applying adhesive to the case to prevent water intrusion. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KG0.

13V297000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Jul 8, 2013

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2013 Accord vehicles that are Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) II rated that were manufactured January 15, 2013, through April 5, 2013. The fuel tank neck may be out of specification causing the fuel pump to not properly seal to the fuel tank.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficent seal may led to a fuel leak which increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, nut and O-ring gasket free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Honda's recall number is JA9. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000.

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

5

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.

EA21001 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened May 6, 2021 · Closed Aug 25, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

On May 6, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess a sudden loss of steering control, in Model Year (MY) 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles. Consumers alleged while driving the steering wheel would pull to the left or the right independently. Steering pull may pose a risk of loss of directional control. Honda stated that they believed the inadvertent steering input was caused by a loose magnet located within the electronic power steering (EPS) system. Due to poor formulation of the adhesive, this magnet can become loose and move up to 2 degrees around the steering column. When the magnet moves, the torque sensor generates a signal that results in unwanted steering in either direction. Honda stated the steering force required to maintain directional control with a loose magnet is a maximum of 3-pound feet. The maximum force of the unwanted steering input can be overcome by the driver and is similar to driving on grooved pavement.The Vehicle Research Test Center (VRTC) sent over 4,000 questionnaires to 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicle owners. Of the 637 responses, 58 consumers experienced unwanted steering. Consumers experiencing unwanted steering did not report difficulties maintaining directional control. There were no crashes or injuries reported to VRTC. Testing done by VRTC was not able to reproduce the allegations. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition has a relatively low failure rate. The poor adhesive formulation was addressed by the supplier with three (3) counter measures in the manufacturing process.There has been a declining trend in consumer complaints to NHTSA which indicates possible exhaustion of parts prone to failure. In view of the low rate, declining complaint trend, the nature of failure, and resolution of the adhesive formulation, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11538714, 11528538, 11528008, 11522953, 11496557, 11495837, 11494328, 11478680, 11477167, 11476758, 11476263, 11471198, 11470001, 11467026, 11466561, 11466016, 11465626, 11464143, 11463558, 11462759, 11461500, 11460777, 11460191, 11455540, 11454334, 11452198, 11448114, 11447666, 11444888, 11444823, 11444172, 11443324, 11443243, 11443105, 11441374, 11439520, 11438345, 11437261, 11436824, 11436350, 11435994, 11435079, 11434969, 11434545, 11434442, 11434381, 11433824, 11433745, 11433555, 11433368, 11433176, 11431206, 11430465, 11430253, 11430009, 11429253, 11428301, 11427449, 11426841, 11426340, 11425928, 11425261, 11425230, 11423611, 11423245, 11422445, 11422395, 11422351, 11422220, 11422138, 11422069, 11421683, 11421589, 11421540, 11420573, 11419338, 11419270, 11418147, 11418143, 11417768, 11417742, 11417570, 11417437, 11416804, 11416699, 11416401, 11416378, 11416375, 11416155, 11416117, 11416084, 11416051, 11416032, 11416028, 11416024, 11416000, 11415933, 11415915, 11414105, 11406220, 11398736 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698, 11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11154891

DP20005 · Loss Of Direction Control

Opened Nov 23, 2020 · Closed May 7, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated October 19, 2020 requesting an investigation of an alleged defect in the steering system in Model Year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. The petitioner alleges that MY2013 Honda accord vehicles are experiencing a sudden loss of steering control as the vehicle veers from its intended path of travel. The petitioner further alleges that this deviation from the intended path of travel occurs without warning or driver input while operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11349961.On November 23, 2020, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP20-005) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. ODI sent two Information Request (IR) letters to Honda requesting information on steering anomalies in MY2013 Honda Accord vehicles and later MY2014-2015 Honda Accord vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Honda as well as information in NHTSA's database.Based on ODI's review of the applicable materials, including responses to the IR letters sent to Honda, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and Early Warning Reporting data, NHTSA has decided to grant the petition. ODI has opened an Engineering Analysis (EA21-001) to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the alleged defect, a sudden loss of steering control.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers:11414105, 11406220, 11398736, 11387462 ,11387075, 11387049, 11375580, 11364698 ,11361125, 11351660, 11349961, 11327909, 11327170, 11324181, 11306112, 11301957, 11289067, 11282525, 11278511, 11277659, 11258017, 11256914, 11218752, 11208077, 11196050, 11194358, 11189901, 11165075, 11163481, 11156378, 11154891, 11131050

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.

PE14033 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Nov 4, 2014 · Closed Oct 6, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-033 to investigate 24 complaints alleging loss of power steering while driving in model year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).Analysis of service data for the original 24 complaints and 33 additional complaints received after PE14-033 was opened found that 85 percent of the vehicles with diagnostic trouble codes available to identify the faulty component had a code indicating torque sensor failure (DTC 53).In its response to ODI's information request letter for PE14-033, Honda identified two manufacturing process conditions that may have affected the quality of some early production torque sensors.Analysis of warranty returns and manufacturing processes determined that a relatively small number of torque sensors were potentially affected by the conditions, which were corrected by the supplier (Bourns) relatively early in production.Analysis of warranty data indicates that both conditions were early-life failure concerns and most of the affected sensors have already failed, resulting in a cumulative failure rate of less than 0.2 percent.Of the 20 VOQ's that appear to be related to torque sensor failure, 6 reported failure dates in 2013, 12 in 2014, and just 2 to date in 2015.ODI's analysis identified 2 minor crashes with no injuries that may have been related to torque sensor failure in the subject vehicles.This investigation is closed because the low failure rate and a declining trend indicate that failures are rare.The closing of this preliminary evaluation does not constitute a determination that no defect exists or that power steering failures do not present an unreasonable risk to safety. The VOQ's referenced in this resume are:10515618, 10515696, 10537336, 10542360, 10545177, 10563724, 10588425, 10595068, 10605909, 10627926, 10629629, 10630852, 10644762, 10654768, 10661240, 10664234, 10667364, 10672452, 10676256, and 10695191

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