NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsClear category filter1 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HONDA CIVIC SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING STANDARD. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDDAL AND IT HESISTATES TO GO AND THEN GOES IMMEDIATELY WHICH MAKES IT FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SHIFTING GEARS. (USED TO DRIVE STANDARD). IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS ON A…
Read full complaint
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HONDA CIVIC SOMETIMES FEELS AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING STANDARD. YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDDAL AND IT HESISTATES TO GO AND THEN GOES IMMEDIATELY WHICH MAKES IT FEEL AS IF YOU ARE SHIFTING GEARS. (USED TO DRIVE STANDARD). IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS ON AND LESS WHEN THE ECON BUTTON IS OFF BUT IT DOES DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING ON REGULAR STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. THE CAR SHAKES A LOT WHEN THE AC IS ON. YOU TURN THE AC OFF AND IT STOPS SHAKING. THE CARS ENGINE IS FULL OF RUST THANKS TO HONDA FOR USING CHEAP PARTS TO MAKE THIS CAR. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL HONDAS WITH THE SAME ISSUE OF SEVERAL ENGINE PARTS BEING RUSTED.
NHTSA ODI #11141202
62,000 miles · May 2, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET ME USE THE STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED FOR A COUPLE MINUTES ONLY TO TURN OFF AND NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO WORK ANY LONGER
NHTSA ODI #11091444
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…
Read full complaint
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
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 …
Read full complaint
'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
36,000 miles · Feb 9, 2018
Electrical System
THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SHORT 12 MILE TRIP . AFTER THE CAR BATTERY WAS JUMPED I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE BATTERY TEST FIND AS DID ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.THAT INCIDENT WAS MY FIRST ON ---12/09/2017------ TODAY 2/8/2018 …
Read full complaint
THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER A SHORT 12 MILE TRIP . AFTER THE CAR BATTERY WAS JUMPED I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE BATTERY TEST FIND AS DID ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.THAT INCIDENT WAS MY FIRST ON ---12/09/2017------ TODAY 2/8/2018 WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AGAIN IT TESTED FIND AFTER A JUMP. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE I CAN NOT COUNT THIS CAR AS RELIABLE IF IT IS GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED! THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. BUT WHEN I GOT READY TO GO NOTHING, NO START. WE HAD TO CALL THE CAMPUS POLICE FOR HELP WITH A BOOST.
NHTSA ODI #11071872
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…
Read full complaint
'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
12,500 miles · Oct 12, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
IT WAS FINE WHEN I PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE THE NIGHT BEFORE BUT THE NEXT MORNING NONE OF THE FOLLOWING WERE WORKING AND THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG (THEY WANT TO TRY REPLACING WHOLE CONSOLE FOR $700 AND IF/WHEN THAT DOESN'T WORK TRY REPLACING SOMETHING ELSE FOR $$$): - DASH (AND GEAR SHIFT, ETC.) DOESN'T LIGHT UP WHEN…
Read full complaint
IT WAS FINE WHEN I PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE THE NIGHT BEFORE BUT THE NEXT MORNING NONE OF THE FOLLOWING WERE WORKING AND THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG (THEY WANT TO TRY REPLACING WHOLE CONSOLE FOR $700 AND IF/WHEN THAT DOESN'T WORK TRY REPLACING SOMETHING ELSE FOR $$$): - DASH (AND GEAR SHIFT, ETC.) DOESN'T LIGHT UP WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT - WINDSHIELD DEFOGGERS - SPEEDOMETER (READS "0" WHETHER IN MOTION OR STOPPED) - ODOMETER - WARNING INDICATORS (OVERHEAT, TIRE PRESSURE, ETC. EXCEPT "BRAKE" WHICH STILL WORKS, AND THE LITTLE GAS ICON ON THE LEFT CONTINUOUSLY BLINKS WHETHER FULL TANK OR NOT) - GAS GAUGE - GAS MILEAGE - TACHOMETER (A PHYSICAL METER) - AIR CONDITIONER - OIL LIFE LEFT - CRUISE CONTROL - "ECON" MODE BUTTON DOESN'T WORK - NOT SURE IF AIR BAGS WORK - I MAY FIND OUT SOMEDAY - RADIO WORKS/DISPLAYS FINE I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT IT WAS SOMETIME IN AUGUST 2017.
NHTSA ODI #11033149
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR AND RESISTOR IN MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES NOW. EVERY FOUR MONTHS, THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES SOUNDS, FLUCTUATES IN POWER, AND THEN FINALLY STOPS WORKING ALTOGTHER. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STILL WORK, BUT THE AIR STOPS BLOWING. ONCE MOTOR AND RESISTOR ARE REPLACED, IT WORKS FINE AGAIN - BUT ONLY F…
Read full complaint
THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR AND RESISTOR IN MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES NOW. EVERY FOUR MONTHS, THE AIR CONDITIONER MAKES SOUNDS, FLUCTUATES IN POWER, AND THEN FINALLY STOPS WORKING ALTOGTHER. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STILL WORK, BUT THE AIR STOPS BLOWING. ONCE MOTOR AND RESISTOR ARE REPLACED, IT WORKS FINE AGAIN - BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MONTHS. ALL NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED DIRECTLY THROUGH HONDA. THE DEFROSTER AND HEAT WILL NOT WORK EITHER WHEN THIS PART GOES BAD, WHICH IS DANGEROUS IF DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR IN THE COLD.
NHTSA ODI #11032337
60,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Electrical System
RODENTS ATE THROUGH WIRING BETWEEN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. DETERMINED THAT HONDA CHANGED TO SOY BASED MATERIAL TO COAT WIRING ON ALL 2012-2015 CIVIC MODELS. THE SOY BASED FORMULA BECOMES HEATED AND ATTRACTS THE RODENTS WHEN PARKED. THE PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND DANGEROUS SINCE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HARNESSES TO ALL MAJOR ENGIN…
Read full complaint
RODENTS ATE THROUGH WIRING BETWEEN ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. DETERMINED THAT HONDA CHANGED TO SOY BASED MATERIAL TO COAT WIRING ON ALL 2012-2015 CIVIC MODELS. THE SOY BASED FORMULA BECOMES HEATED AND ATTRACTS THE RODENTS WHEN PARKED. THE PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND DANGEROUS SINCE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HARNESSES TO ALL MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENTS ARE AFFECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10990970
40,000 miles · Nov 5, 2016
Electrical System
IMA WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER. SLOWED ALMOST TO A STOP WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO DEALERHIP WITH FLASHING HAZZARD LIGHTS GOING 20 MPH. HONDA DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND SAYS CODE POAE1. TROUBLEHOT CODE AND TELLING ME NOT IMA BATTERY PROBLEM THAT WOUDL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANYT, BUT MOTHERBOARD PRO…
Read full complaint
IMA WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER. SLOWED ALMOST TO A STOP WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO DEALERHIP WITH FLASHING HAZZARD LIGHTS GOING 20 MPH. HONDA DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND SAYS CODE POAE1. TROUBLEHOT CODE AND TELLING ME NOT IMA BATTERY PROBLEM THAT WOUDL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANYT, BUT MOTHERBOARD PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MOTHERBOARD PART IS BACKORDERED AND MAY TAKE MONTHS. I ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED UNDER ELECTRICAL WARRANTY BECAUSE IMA AND THEY SAY NO. SAYS THEY WILL GIVE ME PAPERWORK AFTER IF IS FIXED. $2000
NHTSA ODI #10924414
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.
Illustration