NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
34 reportsClear category filter39,324 miles · Jan 27, 2018
Service BrakesSteering
THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON THIS CAR TWICE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT BOTH TIMES WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AT THE SAME TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS WELL AND SHE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CAR AS WELL AS STOPPING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STAT…
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THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON THIS CAR TWICE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT BOTH TIMES WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AT THE SAME TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS WELL AND SHE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CAR AS WELL AS STOPPING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME, SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING PLACE ONE TIME AND THE SECOND TIME WAS ABLE TO LET THE CAR ROLL FORWARD IN TO AN EMPTY PARKING SPOT WHERE SHE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11065448
1 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherWheels
I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH MY TWO KIDS. I HAD STEPPED ON MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO WORK. SUDDENLY, I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WAS HARD WHERE I COULDN'T STEP DOWN ON IT. IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT STUCK. I KEPT PRESSING ON IT AND IT DID NOT WORK. I STAR…
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I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH MY TWO KIDS. I HAD STEPPED ON MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO WORK. SUDDENLY, I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WAS HARD WHERE I COULDN'T STEP DOWN ON IT. IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT STUCK. I KEPT PRESSING ON IT AND IT DID NOT WORK. I STARTED ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO CONTROL THE CAR SO I WOULDN'T RUN INTO A HOUSE OR ANOTHER CAR. I SHIFTED THE CAR TO PARK AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. ALL THIS TIME I KEPT TRYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. FINALLY, MY LAST RESORT I PULLED THE HAND BRAKE AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. MY CAR GOT VERY DAMAGED.
NHTSA ODI #10895368
74,000 miles · Feb 24, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY.. LOST CONTROL SPUN 5 TIMES AND EVEN AFTER NEW ALTERNATOR.. THE RPM NEV…
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FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY.. LOST CONTROL SPUN 5 TIMES AND EVEN AFTER NEW ALTERNATOR.. THE RPM NEVER REDUCES PROPERLY.. HAD IN SHOP 3 X'S SET AT YOUR SPEC IS WRONG TO MAKE BRAKE ELEASE JERK, CAR SHAKE AT LIGHTS AND CAUSES ME TO REAR END ANOTHER CAR. 2/6/16
NHTSA ODI #10838022
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2015
Service Brakes
THE BRAKES DRAG EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME NOW. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10817126
15,000 miles · Jul 26, 2015
Service BrakesCrashInjury
WAS FOLLOWING 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND A TRUCK WHEN A DRIVER FROM THE ONCOMING SIDE OF TRAFFIC FELL ASLEEP AND ROLLED INTO MEDIAN THREATENING TO CONTINUE ROLLING ONTO OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND IN TURN I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. ABS BRAKES DID NOT PUMP AND W…
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WAS FOLLOWING 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND A TRUCK WHEN A DRIVER FROM THE ONCOMING SIDE OF TRAFFIC FELL ASLEEP AND ROLLED INTO MEDIAN THREATENING TO CONTINUE ROLLING ONTO OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND IN TURN I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. ABS BRAKES DID NOT PUMP AND WORK AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. CAR WRITTEN UP AS TOTALED BY GEICO.
NHTSA ODI #10743534
55,626 miles · Mar 14, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW, WHEN I TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES THEY WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WAS GONE ALSO, I DID SEE A ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATED TO CHECK POWER STEERING I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. I CUT OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTED THE CAR AND TH…
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WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MPH WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW, WHEN I TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES THEY WERE GONE AND THE STEERING WAS GONE ALSO, I DID SEE A ERROR MESSAGE THAT STATED TO CHECK POWER STEERING I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. I CUT OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTED THE CAR AND THE MESSAGE AND THE CHECK STEERING LIGHT WERE GONE. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR LOST POWER. I PUT MY VIN IN HONDA'S WEB SITE TO CHECK FOR A RECALL AND THERE WERE NOT ANY. THIS COULD CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694294
40,500 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING ON HILLY CITY STREETS DURING A SNOW STORM, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES THAT THESE SYSTEMS NEEDED ATTENTION. DESPITE PARKING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, A SMALL MOTOR WITHIN THE "ABS MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT" CONTINUED TO OPERATE AND W…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HILLY CITY STREETS DURING A SNOW STORM, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES THAT THESE SYSTEMS NEEDED ATTENTION. DESPITE PARKING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, A SMALL MOTOR WITHIN THE "ABS MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT" CONTINUED TO OPERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE MODULATOR/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A USED UNIT COSTING $280, NOT COUNTING DIAGNOSTIC AND LABOR CHARGES. (TOTAL REPAIR COST: $602.) A NEW UNIT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $1000. THE USED PART CAME WITH A "LIFETIME WARRANTEE." IT SEEMS THAT THE ORIGINAL DEVICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARRANTEED BEYOND THE STANDARD 3YR/30,000 MILE LIMIT AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. DESPITE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES, THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681766
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
35,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Service Brakes
DRIVERSIDE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR EXCESSIVE WEAR MORE THAN FRONT DISC BRAKES. USUALLY THE FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE REAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641471
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.