TWICE I WAS STOPPED AND FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR ROLLED INTO CAR UP FRONT. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. I READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR ONE AUTO AND THE OTHER LET IT GO. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Service Brakes complaints
34 reportsI 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
I CAME UPON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAME TO MY STOP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS INCLUDED MY MOTOR, GAUGES, AND RADIO. THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I…
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I CAME UPON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAME TO MY STOP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS INCLUDED MY MOTOR, GAUGES, AND RADIO. THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THAT MY CARS I-MID DISPLAY SHOWED TO CHECK MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALSO MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP MY HEAD FROM HITTING MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A STRAIN IN MY UPPER LUMBAR OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BACK. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS
I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT A LOT OF 2012 CIVIC OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANNOYING PROBLEMS LIKE CLUNKING NOISE ON THE SUSPENSION OR UNDER THE CAR, LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE LIKE AXLE SHAFT IS DISENGAGING, LOUD NOISE WHEN PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, CLUNKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ROLLING …
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I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT A LOT OF 2012 CIVIC OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANNOYING PROBLEMS LIKE CLUNKING NOISE ON THE SUSPENSION OR UNDER THE CAR, LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE LIKE AXLE SHAFT IS DISENGAGING, LOUD NOISE WHEN PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, CLUNKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ROLLING NOISE ON THE SEAT BELTS, CLUNKING LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND RELEASING GAS PEDAL, RATTLING NOISE IN THE MORNING WHILE WARMING UP THE ENGINE AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING. ATF LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS IS NOT TIGHTENED...ETC. I THINK THIS 2012 HONDA CIVIC MODELS SHOULD BE RECALL BY AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS. YOU CAN CHECK THE INTERNET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL!!!?????? IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I AM ONLY CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HOPE THE US GOVERMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. *TR
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN URBAN AREA IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOT SPONGY AND ABOUT 60 SECONDS LATER, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STOPPING POWER. AT NO POINT, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OR AFTER THE INCIDENT DID ANY KIND OF WARNING LIGHT APP…
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I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN URBAN AREA IN THE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOT SPONGY AND ABOUT 60 SECONDS LATER, WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STOPPING POWER. AT NO POINT, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OR AFTER THE INCIDENT DID ANY KIND OF WARNING LIGHT APPEAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. GRADUALLY THE BRAKING POWER CAME BACK TO ABOUT 50% AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SOME 20 MILES AWAY. STILL - NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE PROBLEM ON THE CAR BEING DRIVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON (WHICH IT WAS NOT EXCEPT FOR THE INITIAL EMERGENCY STOP). THEY DON'T SEEM BOTHERED THAT ALL BRAKING POWER WAS LOST ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED. THE CAR REQUIRES NEW REAR BRAKES TO MAKE IT DRIVE-ABLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THEIR MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. *TR
ON STEEP HILL STOPPED, IN DRIVE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDICS REQUEST I YIELD FOR THEM TO GO DOWN HILL. I LET GO OF FOOT BRAKE, CAR STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. SUDDENLY, NO BRAKES !! CAR INCREASES ROLLING SPEED BACKWARDS, I YANK UP EMERGENCY BRAKE & CAR FINALLY STOPS. PUT CAR IN PARK, BACK IN DRIVE, STILL N…
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ON STEEP HILL STOPPED, IN DRIVE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDICS REQUEST I YIELD FOR THEM TO GO DOWN HILL. I LET GO OF FOOT BRAKE, CAR STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS WHILE STILL IN DRIVE. SUDDENLY, NO BRAKES !! CAR INCREASES ROLLING SPEED BACKWARDS, I YANK UP EMERGENCY BRAKE & CAR FINALLY STOPS. PUT CAR IN PARK, BACK IN DRIVE, STILL NO BRAKES. EMERGENCY BRAKE AGAIN TO STOP CAR. TURNING CAR OFF & ON BRINGS BACK BREAK FUNCTION. *TR
WHEN I WAS CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER WAS CRACKED AT THE MOUNTING POINT. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALSO WORN AT AN ANGLE - OBVIOUSLY DUE TO BROKEN CALIPER. UPON REASSEMBLY THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB WAS BENT AS WELL BUT THEY COULD NOT…
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WHEN I WAS CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE CALIPER WAS CRACKED AT THE MOUNTING POINT. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALSO WORN AT AN ANGLE - OBVIOUSLY DUE TO BROKEN CALIPER. UPON REASSEMBLY THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE HUB WAS BENT AS WELL BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE IF ONE CAUSED THE OTHER OR HOW THEY WERE RELATED BUT SPECULATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL IMPACTED TO AN EXTENT THAT IT BENT THE HUB AND/OR CALIPER INSPITE OF ANY EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO ANY FRONT END PARTS, BODY PARTS, OR WHEEL. I PROPOSED THAT THE HUB WAS OUT OF SPEC UPON DELIVERY AND THAT AFTER 11,000 MILES STRESSES ON THE CALIPER CAUSED IT TO BREAK, HOWEVER THEY DISAGREED AND WERE UNWILLING TO CALL THE HONDA AREA SERVICE MANAGER. COST OF REPAIR WAS INITIALLY QUOTED AT AROUND $800. FINAL COST OVER $1000. *TR
WHEN EXITING A SPEED RAMP OFF OF THE HIGHWAY THE RPM'S SPEED UP CAUSING A HORRIBLE SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND THE FEELING THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN IN TIME TO EXIT THE RAMP. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN A NUMEROUS TIMES THE CAR IS VERY UNSTEADY GOING OVER 55MPH IF IT ENCOUNTERS ANY TYPE OF "BUMP" IN THE HIGHWAY UPON MERGING…
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WHEN EXITING A SPEED RAMP OFF OF THE HIGHWAY THE RPM'S SPEED UP CAUSING A HORRIBLE SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND THE FEELING THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN IN TIME TO EXIT THE RAMP. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN A NUMEROUS TIMES THE CAR IS VERY UNSTEADY GOING OVER 55MPH IF IT ENCOUNTERS ANY TYPE OF "BUMP" IN THE HIGHWAY UPON MERGING INTO ANOTHER LANE IT IS UNSTEADY AND THE WHOLE CAR "JERKS",(FEELS LIKE IT COULD ROLLOVER EASILY)YOU NEED TO HAVE A FIRM HOLD ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL. GLARE ON WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH NIGHT DRIVING. THE HEADRESTS ARE A HINDER TO BEING ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY SEE YOUR BLIND SPOT AND THE CAR WITH ITS HORRIBLE STEERING CONTROL PRESENTS ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN, YOU WILL BE IN THE OTHER LANE TRYING TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER MORE THAN ONCE! *TR
I TOOK MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, NEW SHIM PLATES, RESURFACED ROTORS. MY REAR BRAKES WERE AT 2MM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW COULD THE REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT BEFORE THE FRONT BRAKES THEY WERE AT 7MM. I THINK MY REAR BRAKING SYSTEM MUST BE DEFECTIVE…
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I TOOK MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEY REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, NEW SHIM PLATES, RESURFACED ROTORS. MY REAR BRAKES WERE AT 2MM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW COULD THE REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT BEFORE THE FRONT BRAKES THEY WERE AT 7MM. I THINK MY REAR BRAKING SYSTEM MUST BE DEFECTIVE. *TR
I AM A FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVER, DRIVE WITH THE ECON BUTTON ON MOS OF THE TIME. I DRIVE 150 MILES 5 TIMES A WEEK. EVERY TIME I AM GOING DOWNHILL AND I PUSH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE RPM'S GO UP. I ALSO TRIED DRIVING WITHOUT THE ECON TO SEE IF IT WOULD CHANGE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU WOULD THINK BY HITTING THE BRAKES A LI…
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I AM A FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVER, DRIVE WITH THE ECON BUTTON ON MOS OF THE TIME. I DRIVE 150 MILES 5 TIMES A WEEK. EVERY TIME I AM GOING DOWNHILL AND I PUSH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE RPM'S GO UP. I ALSO TRIED DRIVING WITHOUT THE ECON TO SEE IF IT WOULD CHANGE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. YOU WOULD THINK BY HITTING THE BRAKES A LITTLE HARDER WOULD DO THE TRICK TO DECREASE SPEED, BUT IT DOESN'T. AS YOU START HOLDING THE BREAKS FOR A LONG TIME, THEN THE RPS WOULD DECREASE. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.CIVICFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/210-ENGINE/350659-2012-HONDA-CIVIC-EX-ENGINE-BRAKING-ECON-BUTTON.HTML. *TR
Official recalls
312V548000 · 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 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.
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
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.
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