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2012 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

321 reports with mileage · 133 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

55 crash reports5 fire reports28 injury reports

Power Train complaints

49 reports
Clear category filter
15,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. IT HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FLUID (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FLUID AS THE 2012 MODEL HAS AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM). THE NOISE HAS CONTINUED AND GETS WORSE. THEY TOLD ME OTHER MODELS HAD A RECALL O…

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WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, THERE IS A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. IT HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FLUID (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FLUID AS THE 2012 MODEL HAS AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM). THE NOISE HAS CONTINUED AND GETS WORSE. THEY TOLD ME OTHER MODELS HAD A RECALL ON THE DRIVESHAFT WHICH MAY BE THE ISSUE BUT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10735700

19,129 miles · Jul 12, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE HAD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND THEN A WHOLE CHUNK OF METAL FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #10733443

16,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN DESCENDING A HILL AFTER LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP FOR A FEW OF SECONDS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE, ALSO WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER PULLING IN AND LET UP ON PEDAL THE CAR STILL REVVED UP FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER …

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THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN DESCENDING A HILL AFTER LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP FOR A FEW OF SECONDS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE, ALSO WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER PULLING IN AND LET UP ON PEDAL THE CAR STILL REVVED UP FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER YET AS I AM TRYING TO FIND EXACTLY HOW AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO I CAN GET THE DEALER TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM (SPEED, ROAD CONDITIONS, AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM). AS WE ALL KNOW THEY CAN NEVER GET THE PROBLEMS TO REPRODUCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668870

19,822 miles · May 27, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM A HIGHWAY, CAR WAS COASTING, AND AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN, I APPLIED THE BRAKES SOFTLY, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN FURTHER DUE TO BRAKING AND THEN SUDDENLY CAME TO A BRUTAL STOP WITH TIRES SCREECHING. ENGINE WAS STALLED, AUTOMATIC GEAR HAD SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL BY ITSELF, AND THERE WAS…

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I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM A HIGHWAY, CAR WAS COASTING, AND AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN, I APPLIED THE BRAKES SOFTLY, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN FURTHER DUE TO BRAKING AND THEN SUDDENLY CAME TO A BRUTAL STOP WITH TIRES SCREECHING. ENGINE WAS STALLED, AUTOMATIC GEAR HAD SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL BY ITSELF, AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PREVENT BEING REAR-ENDED. THE 25 MPH SPEED IS APPROXIMATE AS I WAS DECELERATING. A SIMILAR SITUATION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWS DOWN COULD HAVE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES, CAUSING A PILE-UP AND POSSIBLY MULTIPLE DEATHS AND INJURIES. I WILL DRIVE THE CAR VERY CAREFULLY TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED YESTERDAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594252

1,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Power Train

I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC SI 2012, 6 GEARS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I STARTED MOVING FORWARD, SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR FINE THEN SECOND GEAR, BUT WHEN I TRIED SHIFTING TO THIRD GEAR IT LOCK ME OUT FROM SHIFTING INTO IT AND MY FRIEND AND I STARTED TO SMELL BURN CLUTCH I TRIED TO SHIFT BACK TO SECOND GEAR AND IT WOUL…

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I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC SI 2012, 6 GEARS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I STARTED MOVING FORWARD, SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR FINE THEN SECOND GEAR, BUT WHEN I TRIED SHIFTING TO THIRD GEAR IT LOCK ME OUT FROM SHIFTING INTO IT AND MY FRIEND AND I STARTED TO SMELL BURN CLUTCH I TRIED TO SHIFT BACK TO SECOND GEAR AND IT WOULDN'T LET ME. I HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL THE VEHICLE LET ME SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS TYPE OF INCIDENTS KEEP ON HAPPENING SO I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND I ALSO GAVE THEM THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V256000, HONDA SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO TAKE IT UP WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NOW MY VEHICLE HAS 29,000 AND IT DOES NOT MOVE DUE TO THE POWER TRAIN JUST DOES NOT ENGAGE. CAN I GET HELP SO I MAY DRIVE MY VEHICLE PLEASE HELP I AM JUST GETTING HARASS BY HONDA. I DO NOT HAVE A PHONE CAN I BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575264

11,500 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Power Train

CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS UPHILL. I LET OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. I CONDUCTED MORE TESTS AND FOUND IT DOES THIS REGARDLESS OF THE GRADE. I ALSO TESTED OUR 2 OTHER CARS AND NEITHER DID THIS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT …

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CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS UPHILL. I LET OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. I CONDUCTED MORE TESTS AND FOUND IT DOES THIS REGARDLESS OF THE GRADE. I ALSO TESTED OUR 2 OTHER CARS AND NEITHER DID THIS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL. I CALLED HONDA (FILE # N012014-03-1702499) AND THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE. I'M 41 YRS OLD HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YRS, I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN AUTOMATIC CAR THAT WILL DRIFT BACKWARDS IN DRIVE. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT USED TO THIS AND NOT INFORMED THAT THE CARS WILL DO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572903

30,150 miles · Sep 9, 2013
Power Train

SHIFT CABLE IS LOSS - CAUSING LONGER GEAR AND SOMETIMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10542783

36,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Power TrainCrash

MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC ROLLED BACK WHILE ON A STEEP INCLINE AND IN DRIVE. INSTEAD OF TRANSMISSION STAYING ENGAGED IT ALLOWS THE CAR TO ROLL BACK AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526073

16,400 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Power Train

SOME CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN CAR THE IS ACCELERATING TO SHIFT GEARS, THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED FIRST THING AND THEN IF YOU LET THE CAR SIT FOR 5 MINUTES. THE CLICKING HAPPENS ONLY 2 TIMES IN A ROW AND THEN WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES OVER 10 MILES THE CLICKING STOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522184

10,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
EnginePower Train

FIRST PURCHASE BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2011, RAN REALLY GREAT FOR FIRST SIX THOUSAND MILES. JUST UNDER TEN THOUSAND I NOTICE GAS MILEAGE GOT A LOT WORSE AND THE CHECK EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. TAKE IT IN TO SHOP AND THEY SAY OH THERMOSTAT IS BAD. WELL THOUGHT STRANGE AT TIME CAR IS NEW. THEN AT JUST UNDER 1400…

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FIRST PURCHASE BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2011, RAN REALLY GREAT FOR FIRST SIX THOUSAND MILES. JUST UNDER TEN THOUSAND I NOTICE GAS MILEAGE GOT A LOT WORSE AND THE CHECK EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. TAKE IT IN TO SHOP AND THEY SAY OH THERMOSTAT IS BAD. WELL THOUGHT STRANGE AT TIME CAR IS NEW. THEN AT JUST UNDER 14000 MILES GAS MILEAGE IS BAD AND ENGINE REVS AT HIGH RPM'S CHECK EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE??? WELL THEN AT UNDER 17000 MILES CHECK EMISSION LIGHT AGAIN AND THIS TIME IN SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS. THERMOSTAT AGAIN. TRY CALLING AMERICAN HONDA AND I GET THE SALES MANAGER WHO NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, AND HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEN I AM TOLD BY THE SERVICE SHOP THAT THIS IN NO WAY HAS HARMED ANYTHING AND THEY REPLACE THERMO AGAIN RUN SOME TEST AND STILL RUNS HOT SO THEY DO IT AGAIN AND STILL RUNS HOT AND THEN HONDA DECIDES ON A DIFFERENT THERMOSTAT THAT HASN'T BEEN RELEASED YET AND INSTALL IT. WELL THREE WEEKS LATER I GET MY CAR AND ALL I ASKED FOR WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY SEND ME ONE THAT THEY WANT ME TO SIGN TO RELEASE THE OF ANY POWERTRAIN ISSUES AND COOLING ISSUES. COOLING ISSUES I UNDERSTAND BUT POWERTRAIN REALLY I THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHIN WRONG WITH MY CAR???? ALL THIS TIME I AM DEALING WITH THE RUDEST AMERICAN HONDA COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE. REALLY UPSETS SOMEONE SPEND THERE HARD EARNED MONEY EVERY MONTH ON A CAR PAYMENT AND ITS LIKE GOING TO THE STORE AND PAYING FOR MOLDY BREAD. NOT ONE TIME DO THEY THINK ABOUT THE CONSUMER. ALSO INTERESTING WHEN PICKING CAR UP ON FRIDAY THEY HAVE ANOTHER 2012 CIVIC LOW MILES IN SHOP FOR SAME ISSUE. I LIVE IN A TOWN IN WV WITH 28,000 PEOPLE AND 1 HONDA DEALER COINCIDENCE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515981

Official recalls

3

12V548000 · Steering:column

Nov 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.

12V256000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Jun 4, 2012

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVER’S 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.

11V288000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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

2

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.

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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems