NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
149 reportsClear category filter4,079 miles · Feb 11, 2015
Air Bags
I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC LX ON MAY 2012. UNTIL NOV 2014, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. MID NOVEMBER, I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP TO ADD MILEAGE; I WAS THE PASSENGER......UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF A FEW MILES INTO THE TRIP, THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LIKE STARTED GOING ON AND…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC LX ON MAY 2012. UNTIL NOV 2014, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. MID NOVEMBER, I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP TO ADD MILEAGE; I WAS THE PASSENGER......UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF A FEW MILES INTO THE TRIP, THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LIKE STARTED GOING ON AND OFF. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF; WE ABORTED THE TRIP IN THIS CAR; AIRBAGS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM. CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE HONDA DEALER ON NOV 18; THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG; I TOOK THE CAR HOME. I AGAIN TRIED TO RIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT - THE LIGHT WENT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES (10 OR MORE); ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY HONDA ON JAN 7, 2015. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS "SAFE" AND THAT I MUST BE TOO LIGHT/PETITE FOR THE AIRBAG, SO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF. MILEAGE WAS NOW 4,307 MILES AND CAR LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. PER THE INVOICE "THE SYSTEM OPERATES AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. SYSTEM DISABLES SIDE AIR BAG FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY". I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE HONDA SERVICE REP. THE CIVIC MANUAL SAYS THE SYSTEM OPERATES WITH PERSON "65 POUNDS" AND UP (I WEIGH 115 LBS). I AM NOW EXPECTED TO DRIVE A CAR THAT I CANNOT USE AS A PASSENGER - AND GET THIS - IT IS FOR "MY PROTECTION" THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. I REPORTED THE SITUATION TO HONDA CORP ON FEB 4 AND OPENED A CASE. AS I WRITE, I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR WITH A TECHNICIAN'S 2/12 TO SEE IF TECH CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ISSUE IS THAT THE INCIDENTS ARE RANDOM AND A TEST DRIVE MAY NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED "CAR COMPLAINTS AND HONDA SITES" AND FOUND MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR SAFETY AND IN GOOD FAITH ; HONDA WAS PAID A FAIR PRICE. HONDA NEEDS TO DELIVER A CAR THAT WORKS AS ADVERTISED!!!
NHTSA ODI #10682718
40,000 miles · Feb 1, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG STATING THERE IS AN AIRBAG ERROR IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO HONDA AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IN THEIR COMPUTER IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER TO CHECK IT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR APART AND I WILL HAVE TO …
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG STATING THERE IS AN AIRBAG ERROR IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO HONDA AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IN THEIR COMPUTER IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER TO CHECK IT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR APART AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $300 UP FRONT JUST TO CHECK IT. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT ISN'T COVERED IN THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD FOR THEM TO EVEN JUST LOOK AT MY CAR. WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING A 6 YR WARRANTY COVERAGE IF HONDA DOESN'T WANT TO COVER ANYTHING! OVER THE SUMMER I HAD A DRAINAGE LEAK THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL FUSE IN MY CAR, GUESS WHAT HONDA DID NOT CARE!... THESE DAYS I THINK A BICYCLE WOULD BE THE SAFEST THING... LOL... SUFFICE IT TO SAY LIFE IS EXPENSIVE AND I DON'T THINK WE WILL BE GETTING A BREAK. THANKS HONDA FOR ONLY CARING ABOUT YOUR SALES & MONEY AND NOT CARING ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS SAFETY! LIVES! FAMILIES! WIVES! HUSBANDS! & CHILDREN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680317
32,000 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE HONDA CIVIC 2012, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS TURNING ON AND OFF. APPARENTLY, THE AIR BAGS TURN OFF IF A CHILD/SOMEONE IS UNDER 100 POUNDS. HOWEVER, ALL MY PREVIOUS EX'S WERE AROUND 110 POUNDS, SO THE AIRBAGS TURN OFF OR ON. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS DIE BECAUSE O…
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EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE HONDA CIVIC 2012, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS TURNING ON AND OFF. APPARENTLY, THE AIR BAGS TURN OFF IF A CHILD/SOMEONE IS UNDER 100 POUNDS. HOWEVER, ALL MY PREVIOUS EX'S WERE AROUND 110 POUNDS, SO THE AIRBAGS TURN OFF OR ON. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS DIE BECAUSE OF A CRASH WHERE THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. SECOND PROBLEM: THE CAR WILL NOT START MULTIPLE OF TIMES! I HAD MY BATTERY CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT IS NOT THE ALTERNATOR, EITHER! APPARENTLY THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM OR THE SECURITY SYSTEM DRAINS THE BATTERY. I HAD TO BUY A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND JUMPER CABLES WHICH I CARRY IN MY TRUNK BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF CALLING MY INSURANCE COMPANY OR SECURITY AT THAT LOCATION TO JUMP START MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671748
23,000 miles · Jan 11, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesSteering
ON SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2015 I WAS DRIVING I WAS COMING TO A INTERSECTION WHEN THE STOP LIGHT CHANGE I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN AFTER I WAS PUMPING IT. IT DID NOTHING MY STEERING BECAME LOCKED THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE. I ENDING UP IN THE…
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ON SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2015 I WAS DRIVING I WAS COMING TO A INTERSECTION WHEN THE STOP LIGHT CHANGE I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN AFTER I WAS PUMPING IT. IT DID NOTHING MY STEERING BECAME LOCKED THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE. I ENDING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND MOVE MY CAR AWAY THE BRAKES AND STEERING DID NOT WORK. THIS IS NOW PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING SINCE I DON'T KNOW IF AND WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO I HAVE NOTICE ANY ONE THAT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IS SEAT BELTED THE SENSOR IS NOT ABLE TO RECOGNIZED THAT IT GIVING ALERT THAT THE PERSON NEED TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HONDA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671660
15,539 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Air BagsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityService BrakesCrash
WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAR IN FRONT BRAKED, HIT BRAKES AND THEY JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SLAMMED INTO CAR IN FRONT WITH OUR 4 AND 5 YEAR OLD BOYS IN BACK SEAT. GEICO CALLED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. HONDA REFUSES TO INSPECT THE CAR IN FEAR OF MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. TO MAKE IT WORSE…
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WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAR IN FRONT BRAKED, HIT BRAKES AND THEY JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SLAMMED INTO CAR IN FRONT WITH OUR 4 AND 5 YEAR OLD BOYS IN BACK SEAT. GEICO CALLED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. HONDA REFUSES TO INSPECT THE CAR IN FEAR OF MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. TO MAKE IT WORSE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ROADS WERE DRY, NO ICE OR ANYTHING ELSE TO CAUSE INABILITY TO STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667165
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury
UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAD 3 RIB FRACTURES AND A FRACTURED STERNUM. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING BURSAR KNEE PAIN. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS LATER SENT TO A TRAUMA CENTER ER. I HAD ONE OVERNIGHT HOSPITALIZATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664104
59,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts
DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 3 MILES AN HOUR PEDESTRIAN STEPPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I DO APPLY THE BRAKES UPON DOING SO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE CAR OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG SEATBELT DEPLOYING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCA…
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DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 3 MILES AN HOUR PEDESTRIAN STEPPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I DO APPLY THE BRAKES UPON DOING SO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE CAR OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG SEATBELT DEPLOYING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HONDA AMERICA LOOKED UP THE CAR AND SAID SINCE THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON THE BUMPER PROBABLY FROM A SHOPPING CART, THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE WENT OFF. HONDA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT IS NOW UNSAFE BUT ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654908
25,210 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT LEG AND MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE PELVIS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT ALL THE INJURIES SUSTAINED W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT LEG AND MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE PELVIS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT ALL THE INJURIES SUSTAINED WERE CAUSED BY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,210.
NHTSA ODI #10654329
4,000 miles · Nov 8, 2014
Air BagsSeats
EVERY NOW AND THEN AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS,ETC. THE WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" COMES ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE WEIGHING AS MUCH AS 145 LBS. IS SITTING IN THAT SEAT. *TR....UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF UPDATED 09/01/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10653564
28,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Air Bags
I JUST NOTICED THAT EVERYTIME I HAVE A LIGHTWEIGHT PASSENGER LET US SAY 120 LBS AND BELOW, SITTING ON THE PASSENGER'S SEAT ON MY RIGHT A WARNING WOULD APPEAR ON THE CONSOLE THAT SAYS "AIR BAG PASSENGER" WHAT IS THAT MEAN? IT MAKES ME WORRIED. DOES THAT WARNING SUPPOSE TO APPEAR THERE? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650763
Official recalls
3Nov 21, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Jun 4, 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LOSS OF DRIVE POWER AND MAY ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN SET WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH OR PEDESTRIAN INJURY.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
May 18, 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS MISALIGNED, A SMALL FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED LINE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.