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2013 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Civic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

193 reports with mileage · 126 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 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports1 fire reports24 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

114 reports
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21,676 miles · Apr 21, 2018
Air Bags

HAVE STARTED GETTING INTERMITTENT 'CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM' MESSAGE ON DASH DISPLAY EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO ONE AND NOTHING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN ON WARM DAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11089243

39,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A VEHICLE SUDDENLY MERGED INTO HIS LANE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A GMC SIERRA. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH A VEHICLE SUDDENLY MERGED INTO HIS LANE, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A GMC SIERRA. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AAA LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND DESTROYED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #11081487

77,000 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2013 CIVIC COUPE, AND HAVE LOVED IT SINCE. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE PAST MONTH, CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT HAS COME ON, FIRST TIME DURING THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD AND STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT CONTINUED TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND EVENTUALLY ST…

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TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2013 CIVIC COUPE, AND HAVE LOVED IT SINCE. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE PAST MONTH, CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT HAS COME ON, FIRST TIME DURING THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD AND STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT CONTINUED TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND EVENTUALLY STARTED COMING ON WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR, STATIONARY. IT DOES NOT COME ON EVERY SINGLE TIME, BUT COMES ON VERY VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND THEY NEED TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. I CALLED TO SEE HOW MUCH HONDA WOULD CHARGE TO FIX IT, AND THEY SAID $140 JUST TO DIAGNOSE, AND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE PARTS COSTING UP TO $1300 TO REPAIR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR A CAR AND A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE AND TRUSTED BRANDS ON THE MARKET. THE REASON I CHOSE A HONDA CIVIC WAS BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATE OF PROBLEMS, AND THIS IS THE HUGEST PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR, A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM, VERY DISAPPOINTED. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF PEOPLE GETTING IN CRASHES AND THE AIRBAG NOT GOING OFF, HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND LIFE THREATENING, EVEN IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RED FLAG TO ANYONE WHO OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC IF THE LIGHT HAS COME ON OR NOT!! ATLEAST 4 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA AND 2013 KIA FORTE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEMS REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IMMEDIATELY BY HONDA AND NHTSA AND LOOKED INTO ASAP. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM, KNOW SOMEONE WITH A HONDA CIVIC, OR HAS OCCURRED TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW. BY WRITING COMPLAINTS ON HERE, AND CONTACTING HONDA, WE CAN HELP RAISE AWARENESS TO THE NHTSA AND HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL, SO NO MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO STRESS, WORRY, OR BE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FROM THE AIRBAG SYSTEM!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11080782

30,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TACATA RECALL I PURCHASED THE 1ST AND PROBABLY ONLY NEW CAR THAT I WILL EVER OWN. I WENT WITH HONDA BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD BE VERY RELIABLE. IMAGINE MY DISMAY WHEN I.GET NOTICE RE:AUTO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. I AM NOW SCARED TO TRANSPORT MY GRANDSON. I AM SCARED FOR MY OWN SAFETY. PLEASE CONSIDER THE FACT THAT I AM…

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TACATA RECALL I PURCHASED THE 1ST AND PROBABLY ONLY NEW CAR THAT I WILL EVER OWN. I WENT WITH HONDA BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD BE VERY RELIABLE. IMAGINE MY DISMAY WHEN I.GET NOTICE RE:AUTO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. I AM NOW SCARED TO TRANSPORT MY GRANDSON. I AM SCARED FOR MY OWN SAFETY. PLEASE CONSIDER THE FACT THAT I AM NOW STUCK WITH MY DEFECTIVE AUTO, FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. NO COMFORT IN TAKING MY FAMILY ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ODI #11080248

39,000 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Air Bags

GOT NOTICE FROM AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT FOR AIR BAG DEFENSE DEFECTIVE ISSUE . I FURTHER VERIFIED MY HONDA CIVIC 2013 AND FOUND ELIGIBLE FOR SETTLEMENT .

NHTSA ODI #11078536

34,000 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

'TAKATA RECALL' I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL SAYING THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. THE 'CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM' WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY IN MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG OR GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I WENT TO THE WEBSITE …

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'TAKATA RECALL' I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL SAYING THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. THE 'CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM' WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY IN MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG OR GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I WENT TO THE WEBSITE PROVIDED, ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER BUT IT SAID MY CAR WAS NOT EFFECTED. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2013 CIVIC MODEL FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS!! SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT!!

NHTSA ODI #11074651

118,500 miles · Feb 9, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. MY AIRBAG INFLATOR HAS GONE OUT. I HAD SEEN A SENSOR GO OFF ABOUT IT AND I HAD GOTTEN A NOTICE FROM YOU ABOUT A RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $1022.55. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE SENSOR WENT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11071947

105,013 miles · Feb 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

'TAKATA RECALL' HI SO RECENTLY I GOT IN ACCIDENT IT WAS MY FAULT IN ACCIDENT I HIT CAR FROM BEHIND IWAS AT 50MPH SPEED WHILE OTHER CAR WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT IHIT HIS CAR SUPER HARD MY FRONT OF CAR WAS ALL BAD HAVE TO PUT EVERYTHING NEW AND IM SURPRISED IHIT CAR THAT HARD AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUTSIDE. AND SECOND ISSUE WHILE…

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'TAKATA RECALL' HI SO RECENTLY I GOT IN ACCIDENT IT WAS MY FAULT IN ACCIDENT I HIT CAR FROM BEHIND IWAS AT 50MPH SPEED WHILE OTHER CAR WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT IHIT HIS CAR SUPER HARD MY FRONT OF CAR WAS ALL BAD HAVE TO PUT EVERYTHING NEW AND IM SURPRISED IHIT CAR THAT HARD AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUTSIDE. AND SECOND ISSUE WHILE MY CAR IS OFF IT STILL KEEPS ELECTRONIC FUNCTION ON INSIDE SYSTEM WHICH KEEP DRAINING MY BATTERY OVWR AND OVER

NHTSA ODI #11066921

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL. THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER, IT SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, MY CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHICH MAKES ME THINK THERE IS A DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11066576

57,000 miles · Jan 31, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. MISTLIN HONDA IN MODESTO, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. MISTLIN HONDA IN MODESTO, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11066103

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.

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