NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
22 reportsClear category filter63,981 miles · Apr 8, 2017
Engine
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 55 IN SOUTH JERSEY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 55 MPH), THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND ENGINE POWER WAS DIMINISHED. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY GET OFF NEARBY EXIT AND DRIVE TO PARKING LOT. VEHICLE ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT UP EXIT RAMP. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS WAS #2 CYLINDER HAD F…
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WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 55 IN SOUTH JERSEY AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 55 MPH), THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND ENGINE POWER WAS DIMINISHED. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY GET OFF NEARBY EXIT AND DRIVE TO PARKING LOT. VEHICLE ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT UP EXIT RAMP. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS WAS #2 CYLINDER HAD FAILED. CAR ONLY HAD JUST OVER 63,000 MILES ON IT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT HONDA EVENTUALLY COVERED 50% ($2,545.30). CAR WAS GARAGED KEPT AND ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH DANGEROUS HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE IT ON RECORD IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES WHICH MAY INDICATE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT OCCURRED ON A WELL-MAINTAINED, GARAGE KEPT CAR AT ONLY 63,000 MILES. I HAVE UPLOADED A COPY OF THE REPAIR ORDER INDICATING WHAT COMPONENTS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10971430
36,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SEAL WAS MISSING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE TIMING BELT. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL SEAL WAS MISSING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10935447
19,700 miles · Jul 30, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE HESITATES UNDER ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES ALMOST STALLING. I FEEL THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR MY SON AT TIMES. MERGING ETC. I CALLED HONDA SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP WITH OTHER PEOPLE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ECON MODE. I DROVE THE CAR WITH IT OFF AND STILL DOES IT AT TIMES. VERY CONCERNED. I …
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VEHICLE HESITATES UNDER ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES ALMOST STALLING. I FEEL THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR MY SON AT TIMES. MERGING ETC. I CALLED HONDA SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP WITH OTHER PEOPLE. THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ECON MODE. I DROVE THE CAR WITH IT OFF AND STILL DOES IT AT TIMES. VERY CONCERNED. I AM TAKING IT IN TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. NOT GOOD!
NHTSA ODI #10891787
10 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Engine
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC SI. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, THE DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUSTED OUT MY WINDSHIELD AND DENTED UP THE FENDERS, IT TOOK THEM A YEAR TO FIX EVERY THING. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION BROKE IT IS THE SHIFT CABLE. THEY HAVE NOW SENT A HONDA CORP…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC SI. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, THE DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUSTED OUT MY WINDSHIELD AND DENTED UP THE FENDERS, IT TOOK THEM A YEAR TO FIX EVERY THING. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION BROKE IT IS THE SHIFT CABLE. THEY HAVE NOW SENT A HONDA CORPORATE INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE IF SOME HOW I CREATED THE DAMAGE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 23000 MILES ON IT AND I BABY THIS THING. I AM CONCERNED IF THE CABLE HAS SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING IT A HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WOULD I BE HERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT NOW. I MAY HAVE TO GET AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS TECHNICALLY A LEMON. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE, AND I REALLY WANT TO GET A BETTER CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10790049
15,447 miles · Sep 21, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER ANOTHER ATTEMPT AND THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER ANOTHER ATTEMPT AND THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER THE SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,447.
NHTSA ODI #10766542
8,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Engine
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55-60 MPH. WANTED TO PRESS "HAZARD WARNING BUTTON" AND BY ACCIDENT PRESSED THE "ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON". BECAUSE "HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS" DID NOT START FLASHING I AUTOMATICALLY PRESSED THE "ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON" SECOND TIME - THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. SINCE ENGINE WAS OFF BRAKES STOPPED WORKIN…
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WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55-60 MPH. WANTED TO PRESS "HAZARD WARNING BUTTON" AND BY ACCIDENT PRESSED THE "ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON". BECAUSE "HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS" DID NOT START FLASHING I AUTOMATICALLY PRESSED THE "ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON" SECOND TIME - THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. SINCE ENGINE WAS OFF BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN ENGINE ON WHILE CAR WAS MOVING - AS YOU CAN DO IT ONLY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ON "P" (PARKING) - AND YOU CANNOT SWITCH TRANSMISSION INTO "P" (MODE) WHEN CAR IS MOVING AT 60 MPG. BY LUCK I WAS ABLE TO PULL CAR OVER WITHOUT ACCIDENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT MAYBE I WAS STUPID AND THAT IS MY MISTAKE THAT BY ACCIDENT I PRESSED A WRONG BUTTON, HOWEVER, THERE SHOULD BE NO WAY THE ENGINE CAN GO OFF WHILE CAR IS MOVING UNDER ANY CONDITIONS AND ANY DRIVERS ACTIONS BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY MAY LEADS TO A CRASH WHICH COULD BE AVOID ONLY BY A LUCK. I CONSIDER IT IS AS EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639416
13 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Engine
ATTENTION TO ALL WHO READ & COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR 2013 HONDA CIVIC. GO TO YOUR INTERNET & SEARCH DRIVE BY WIRE. THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHY OUR CAR DRIVES SO AWFUL AND YES, ACCIDENT PRONE. OUR VEHICLES - NEWS FLASH - ARE MANUFACTURED WITH THE NEW (WELL, AROUND 2003-ISH) (NOT REAL SURE NOW) DRIVE BY WIRE. MY OLD 1997 HONDA CIVIC WOUL…
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ATTENTION TO ALL WHO READ & COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR 2013 HONDA CIVIC. GO TO YOUR INTERNET & SEARCH DRIVE BY WIRE. THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHY OUR CAR DRIVES SO AWFUL AND YES, ACCIDENT PRONE. OUR VEHICLES - NEWS FLASH - ARE MANUFACTURED WITH THE NEW (WELL, AROUND 2003-ISH) (NOT REAL SURE NOW) DRIVE BY WIRE. MY OLD 1997 HONDA CIVIC WOULD DRIVE THIS 2013 IN THE GROUND. IT'S NEW TECHNOLOGY. NO MORE DRIVE BY THROTTLE. IF YOU WANT YOUR POWER, EITHER GET A MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR GET AN OLD CAR. PEACE TO ALL WHO READ. (( I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WEIRD WITH THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 13 MILES - BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT TILL I DID RESEARCH AND BOY, WAS I ENLIGHTENED. SO, LOSS OF POWER - WHICH I DID FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THEN I FOUND OUT - OH, NICE, NEW TECHNOLOGY. YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUT THE INFORMATION ON ANY BLOG FOR ANY HONDA OWNER - WHO IS A SERIOUS MECHANIC )) DRIVE BY WIRE - KNOWN AS DBW OR OUR OLD WAY OF CARS - DRIVE BY THROTTLE - OR DBT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638526
200 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Engine
SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES YOU FEEL HELPLESS UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN (WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO). I HAVE LEARNED TO COMPENSATE , BUT THIS COUL…
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SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES YOU FEEL HELPLESS UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN (WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO). I HAVE LEARNED TO COMPENSATE , BUT THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633569
11,000 miles · May 12, 2014
EngineStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU ABOUT A SEVERE MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAUMATIZED BY A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC. LUCKILY NO ONE GOT HURT IN THIS EVENT, BUT I?M HOPING THAT THIS FACT WILL NOT REDUCE THE ATTENTION FROM THIS SEVERE MALFUNCTION. FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TH…
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THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU ABOUT A SEVERE MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAUMATIZED BY A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC. LUCKILY NO ONE GOT HURT IN THIS EVENT, BUT I?M HOPING THAT THIS FACT WILL NOT REDUCE THE ATTENTION FROM THIS SEVERE MALFUNCTION. FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EVENT THAT HAPPENED ON MAY 10, 2014 AT 6:30PM: I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, UNDER 5 MILES PER HOUR, APPROACHING A PARKING NEAR THE SIDEWAYS. THERE WAS ONE CAR ALREADY PARKED, AND I WAS GOING TO PARK BEHIND IT. I WAS ABOUT TO COMPLETE MY PARKING, AND MY LEG WAS GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES (I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE HALT). SUDDENLY, THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AS IF SOMEONE PRESSED ON THE GAS ALL THE WAY (IT WAS AN AWFUL NOISE), AND THEN IT SHOT ITSELF FORWARD AT A CRAZY SPEED. AS THE CAR DROVE ITSELF INTO THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT, I PULLED THE HANDBRAKE AND PRESSED HARDER ON THE BREAKS IN THE SPLIT SECOND THAT I HAD TO REALIZE SOMETHING IS WRONG. SINCE I WAS AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE IMPACT DIDN'T DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. AT THIS POINT THE CARS ENGINE DECREASED THE RPM BACK TO NORMAL, AND THE CAR STOPPED PUSHING ITSELF FORWARD, THOUGH AT THAT POINT I ALREADY DEPLOYED THE HAND BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587718
5,500 miles · Mar 12, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
NO POWER. NO ACCELERATION. I AM FORTUNATE THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS CAUTIOUS ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN. I HAD NO POWER, NO GET-UP, NO NOTHING AND I WAS FLOORING IT TO GET OUT OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS MADE ODD NOISES SINCE THE BEGINNING. BRAKES MAKE AN ODD NOISE. THERE IS A CRACKLING, TINKLING, VERY ODD NOISE THAT COMES …
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NO POWER. NO ACCELERATION. I AM FORTUNATE THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS CAUTIOUS ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN. I HAD NO POWER, NO GET-UP, NO NOTHING AND I WAS FLOORING IT TO GET OUT OF A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS MADE ODD NOISES SINCE THE BEGINNING. BRAKES MAKE AN ODD NOISE. THERE IS A CRACKLING, TINKLING, VERY ODD NOISE THAT COMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP AND I GUESS THAT'S HOW THE CAR IS MADE (?). I DO NOT KNOW IF A CAR IS SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE THIS, DUE TO HAVE OWNING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS THE MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING CAREER. NO UMPH ON THIS BRAND-NEW CAR HAS LED ME TO SEND IN THIS COMPLAINT IN CASE OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILARITIES. ODD NOISE WITH BRAKES, ODD, VERY ODD NOISE THAT TINKERS UNDER THE CAR AND NO ACCELERATION. I USE THE GASOLINE OUTLINED/ PREFERRED BY THE HONDA CIVIC OWNER'S MANUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568776
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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