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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

Steering complaints

74 reports
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31,795 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Steering

DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK, CHECK POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. DIFFICULT TO DRIVE HOME. NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT DISPLAYING.

NHTSA ODI #11083103

33,100 miles · Feb 27, 2018
Steering

I LEFT THE HOUSE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM DAYCARE. LEFT THE HOUSE TO THE DAYCARE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN I LEFT THE DAYCARE, STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET ONTO THE MAIN ROAD AND I RECEIVED THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT SAID "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". NEEDLESS TO SA…

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I LEFT THE HOUSE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM DAYCARE. LEFT THE HOUSE TO THE DAYCARE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN I LEFT THE DAYCARE, STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET ONTO THE MAIN ROAD AND I RECEIVED THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT SAID "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I BACKED UP, WITH TURNING THE WHEEL HARD, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF HOPING IT WAS FLUKE. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND SAME ISSUE. SINCE I DON'T LIVE TOO FAR FROM THE DAYCARE, I DID DRIVE HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. PULLED IN DRIVEWAY AND TURNED CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND STILL AN ISSUE. DROVE TO LOCAL MAINTENANCE SHOP TO INVESTIGATE- THEY DIDN'T GET TO IT UNTIL NEXT DAY.....NO ISSUES WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR! APPEARS OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I MAY TAKE TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS IF ISSUE PERSISTS, BUT I DON'T WANT POWER STEERING TO GO ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN HITTING 65 MILES / HOUR! BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR HONDA TO INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI #11075243

93,000 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Steering

STARTED CAR IN MORNING AND A LIGHT CAME ON TO "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". BROUGHT CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND POWERS STEERING RACK OF PINION IS MISSING A PIECE (WAS EITHER NEVER IN PLACE OR FELL OUT). HONDA DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO COVER ANY COST BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11072376

30,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST AND BELIEVED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MILLENNIUM HONDA, 286 N FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550, (516) 481-2800) WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NO OPEN RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11071839

51,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH 2 OF MY TODDLER KIDS IN MY HONDA. SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND LIKE DEAD. I WAS VERY SCARED AND TRY TO SLOW DOWN. BUT IT IS STILL VERY EXTREME DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TURNED ON THE DOUBLE FLASHING LIGHT AND SLO…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH 2 OF MY TODDLER KIDS IN MY HONDA. SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND LIKE DEAD. I WAS VERY SCARED AND TRY TO SLOW DOWN. BUT IT IS STILL VERY EXTREME DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TURNED ON THE DOUBLE FLASHING LIGHT AND SLOWED MOVED TO THE NEARBY GAS STATION AND ASKED MY INSURANCE TO TOW MY CAR TO DEALER. I AM 20WEEKS PREGNANT SO I HAVE 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY THE DEALER CHECKED EVERYTHING BUT TOLD ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINT FILED ONLINE WITH 2012 HONDA CIVIC AND THERE IS A RECALL WITH CERTAIN 2012 HONDA CIVIC THAT WAS MADE LATE THAT YEAR. I CALLED HONDA INC AND CHECKED MY VIN, I WAS INFORMED THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I EXPLAINED THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO OTHER CASES THEY MADE RECALL ON ABOUT THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THIS IS VERY LIKELY DUE TO THEIR MANUFACTURE MISTAKE AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUE IN 5 YEARS AND NO ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE CAR DEALER ALSO INFORM ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT HAVE ME DRIVE CAREFULLY AND THEY TOLD ME THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN!!!. I AM PREGNANT AND HAVE 2 LITTLE CHILDREN I SENT TO SCHOOL WITH DAILY. I CANNOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN IN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT.!!!

NHTSA ODI #11065765

39,324 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

60 miles · Oct 7, 2017
Steering

I STARTED MY PACKED CAR BUT REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WAS SO STIFF/HARD THAT L COULD NOT STEER IT ,AFTER WHICH IT PRODUCED A SHARP SOUND AND L LOST CONTROL OVER THE CAR .I PUMPED MY FOOT BREAKS BUT TO AVAIL ,I MANAGED AND GOT TO A NEIGHBOR DRIVEWAY WHERE I PUT IT ON PACK AND RAISE THE HAND BREAKS .I HAD A WARNING MESSAGE SAY…

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I STARTED MY PACKED CAR BUT REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WAS SO STIFF/HARD THAT L COULD NOT STEER IT ,AFTER WHICH IT PRODUCED A SHARP SOUND AND L LOST CONTROL OVER THE CAR .I PUMPED MY FOOT BREAKS BUT TO AVAIL ,I MANAGED AND GOT TO A NEIGHBOR DRIVEWAY WHERE I PUT IT ON PACK AND RAISE THE HAND BREAKS .I HAD A WARNING MESSAGE SAYING THAT L SHOULD CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM .I TOLLED THE CAR TO A MECHANICS AND THE GUY TOLD ME THAT HE DIDNOT NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM .WHILE ON THE DRIVEWAY ,I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN BUT IT WILL MOVING ON IT OWN ,SO L HAD THREE PEOPLE WHO CAME AND PUSHED FROM BEHIND IN ORDER FOR ME TO PACK IT STRAIGHT. I ALMOST THE HIT THE LADY'S CAR ON HER DRIVEWAY .MY CAR IS STILL WITH THE MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI #11032147

72,000 miles · Sep 30, 2017
Steering

RECENTLY THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM INDICATOR STARTED TO TURN ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET, WHICH STAYED ON (INCLUDING IN HIGHWAY) UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHOUT NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS FOR THE STEERING WHEEL. LAST WEEK, THE INDICATOR TURNED ON AGAIN ALONG WITH A MESSAGE "CHECK THE POWER STEER…

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RECENTLY THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM INDICATOR STARTED TO TURN ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET, WHICH STAYED ON (INCLUDING IN HIGHWAY) UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHOUT NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS FOR THE STEERING WHEEL. LAST WEEK, THE INDICATOR TURNED ON AGAIN ALONG WITH A MESSAGE "CHECK THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM" WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL WAY, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND UNABLE TO MAKE ANY TURN. TO GET RID OF THIS PROBLEM, I HAD TO TURN OFF AND ON THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE. I CHECKED THE FUSE FOR EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING), WHICH LOOKED FINE. I CALLED SEVERAL AUTO SERVICE SHOPS AND THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM IS WEIRD AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE, I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT ITS SAFETY IN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH SPEEDS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS AN USED ONE FROM A DEALER 3 YEARS AGO. ALL WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO OPEN SAFETY RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #11030674

57,000 miles · May 26, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, VSA, AND ESC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BARBER HONDA PARTS, LOCATED AT 4500 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, 93313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST MODULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, VSA, AND ESC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BARBER HONDA PARTS, LOCATED AT 4500 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, 93313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST MODULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10991773

103,000 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED (STRAIGHT). EPS WARNING CAME ON. EPS RE-ACTIVATED 1 HOUR LATER BUT FAILED AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE WAS SWITCHED-OFF AND RESTARTED. EPS WORKING AGAIN AFTER 14 HRS.

NHTSA ODI #10924601

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