NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
291 reports83,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Air Bags
THE DISPLAY ON MY '14 CIVIC SHOWED "CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CLEARED THE CODE TO SEE IF IT CAME BACK. IT DID ABOUT 8-DAYS LATER. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY REPLACED THE CABLE REEL IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM SOLVED, WARNING MESSAGE WENT AWAY. 3 MONTHS LATER, "CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES BACK…
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THE DISPLAY ON MY '14 CIVIC SHOWED "CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CLEARED THE CODE TO SEE IF IT CAME BACK. IT DID ABOUT 8-DAYS LATER. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY REPLACED THE CABLE REEL IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM SOLVED, WARNING MESSAGE WENT AWAY. 3 MONTHS LATER, "CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES BACK ON. CARRYING IT TO THE DEALER TODAY(12/09/19) FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA ODI #11287947
79,695 miles · Dec 1, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND IT TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE I HAVE TO PUT THE GAS PUDDLE TO THE FLOOR AND VIBRATION ON THE SEAT IT'S A CVTS TRANSMISSION IT WAS THE PULLY THAT WAS FIXED ON THE LAST RECALL I'M DRIVING A LOANER CAR IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THE SLIPPING OR CVTS IN GENERAL THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11283109
57,945 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Power Train
I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND PARKED CAR IN A LOT. UPON RETURN TO THE CAR, IT STARTED UP BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE WHEN I PLACED GEAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CAR REFUSED TO MOVE DESPITE TURNING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT BACK UP. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS CAR WHICH IF NOT CORRECTED CAN …
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I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND PARKED CAR IN A LOT. UPON RETURN TO THE CAR, IT STARTED UP BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE WHEN I PLACED GEAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CAR REFUSED TO MOVE DESPITE TURNING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT BACK UP. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS CAR WHICH IF NOT CORRECTED CAN RESULT IN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE HAD NEVER GOTTEN NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAD NOT MOVED ADDRESSES. CAR HAD LESS THAN 58K MILES UNDER THE 60K MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BUT WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS OVER THE 5 YRS PERIOD. AMERICAN HONDA WAS ONLY WILLING TO PAY 50/50 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS LUCKY THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT GO OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT A HIGHER SPEED AS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SOME MAJOR ACCIDENT LOSING POWER WITH NO ADVANCED NOTICE AND HAVING NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE FEEL IF THIS RECALL WAS SENT OUT AND IT WAS CORRECTED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT TO BEGIN WITH. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND SCARY TO KNOW THERE ARE OTHER CARS LIKE MINE OUT THERE WHICH AMERICAN HONDA IS NOT TAKING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND PUTTING HARM IN THEIR CUSTOMER'S SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #11281253
43,297 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP AT 50 MPH AND TOWING AN APPROVED TRAILER, THE RPMS WENT UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED UP AND DOWN HILLS SLUGGISHLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP AT 50 MPH AND TOWING AN APPROVED TRAILER, THE RPMS WENT UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED UP AND DOWN HILLS SLUGGISHLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AGAIN AND HAD IT TOWED TO BORMAN HONDA (280 W BOUTZ RD, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, (575) 525-4500). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PULLING THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS APPROVED BY U-HAUL TO PULL THE TRAILER AND THERE HAD BEEN NO ISSUES IN THE PAST. THE CONTACT PAID THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,297.
NHTSA ODI #11268471
94,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Air BagsCrash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP IN WHICH I REAR ENDED A LARGE PASSENGER VAN AT 35+ MPH WHILE THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE CAR SEEMS TO THINK THEY DID BECAUSE I HAVE AN AIRBAG NOTIFICATION TO "CHECK AIRBAG" THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY
NHTSA ODI #11256435
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2019
Engine
MY CAR HAS 41K MILES ON IT. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE A/C SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND HOT AIR WAS BLOWING. I ALSO HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC A DAY LATER, AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY DETERMINED THE ENTIRE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT NEEDS REPLACING. THEY COULD NOT FIND THIS PART…
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MY CAR HAS 41K MILES ON IT. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE A/C SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND HOT AIR WAS BLOWING. I ALSO HEARD A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC A DAY LATER, AND AFTER A FULL DAY OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY DETERMINED THE ENTIRE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT NEEDS REPLACING. THEY COULD NOT FIND THIS PART FROM ANY DEALER, AND NONE OF THEM HAD A RELEASE DATE FOR THE PART COMING IN. THERE WERE ALSO NO AFTER MARKET MODELS OF THIS PART MADE. THEY CONTACTED HONDA DIRECTLY WHO SAID THEY ARE RELEASING SOME 9/29/19 AND YOU CAN PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE TO RECEIVE ONE BECAUSE OF HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED THIS PART. SEVERAL PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT IF NONE ARE IN STOCK, AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, IT LIKELY MEANS THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PART, AND HONDA MAY BE HOLDING OFF ON RELEASING MORE. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR CURRENTLY BECAUSE IF THE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT LOCKS UP IT COULD AFFECT THE ENTIRE BELT WHICH CONNECTS ALL PARTS OF MY CAR, CAUSING IT TO BE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO DRIVE. I ALSO LIVE IN TEXAS, AND IT IS IN THE 100S, AND I DON'T HAVE AC WHICH IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #11253786
40,000 miles · Jul 30, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A "WHINING" SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED HENNESSY HONDA OF WOODSTOCK (8931 GA-92, WOODSTOCK, GA 30189, (770) 924-9000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A "WHINING" SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED HENNESSY HONDA OF WOODSTOCK (8931 GA-92, WOODSTOCK, GA 30189, (770) 924-9000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #11240618
136,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2014 HONDA CIVIC WITH 136000 ON THE CAR THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTING. SOME 2014 HONDA CIVIC WERE RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET MY VEHICLE, 2014 CIVIC MODEL MISS THE RECALL. ALL CIVICS HAVE A PRETTY SIMILAR SETUP AS FAR AS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. AS FAR AS HONDA GOES THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THERE EN…
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I HAVE A 2014 HONDA CIVIC WITH 136000 ON THE CAR THAT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTING. SOME 2014 HONDA CIVIC WERE RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YET MY VEHICLE, 2014 CIVIC MODEL MISS THE RECALL. ALL CIVICS HAVE A PRETTY SIMILAR SETUP AS FAR AS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. AS FAR AS HONDA GOES THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THERE ENGINES LASTING A WHILE AND HAVING NO ISSUES YET I HAVE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT IS YET UNKNOWN AND WILL COST AT LEAST 5K TO FIX. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS THE CARS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND DOWNSHIFT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THIS CAR HAS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION YET WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN THEN GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUMPS GEARS, YOU GET THE FEELING AS IF YOU ARE ON A MOTORCYCLE AND IT STALLS AND JUMPS FORWARD. ALONG WITH THAT THERE'S A SLIGHT NOICE THAT IS WORKING OVERTIME. (INCIDENT OCCURS AROUND 2MPH-65)
NHTSA ODI #11232186
44,820 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOMENTUM VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 2405 RICHMOND AVE, HOUSTON, TX 77098, (844) 894-5462) WHERE THE FOLLOWING CODES WERE FOUN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOMENTUM VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 2405 RICHMOND AVE, HOUSTON, TX 77098, (844) 894-5462) WHERE THE FOLLOWING CODES WERE FOUND: B0001-13 (PERMANENT DTC OPEN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG FIRST INFLATOR) AND B0050-13 (PERMANENT DTC OPEN INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,820. *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #11232061
28,820 miles · Jul 4, 2019
Air Bags
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING CAME ON WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY/TOWN STREET, STAYED ON WHILE BRAKING, TURNING AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE WARNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN SLOWER THEN THE SPEED LIMIT FOR SAFETY CONCERNS.CAR HAS A TAKATA AIRBAG. IT WENT OFF ON THE DAY WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SCANNED THE UNIT AND FOUND ER…
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DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING CAME ON WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY/TOWN STREET, STAYED ON WHILE BRAKING, TURNING AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE WARNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN SLOWER THEN THE SPEED LIMIT FOR SAFETY CONCERNS.CAR HAS A TAKATA AIRBAG. IT WENT OFF ON THE DAY WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SCANNED THE UNIT AND FOUND ERROR "B0001-13" . THEY SUPPLIED A PRINTED OUT REPORT AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG AND ADDED A HAND WRITTEN COMMENTS, "THE HARNESS PASSES THE BOX TEST AND THE CLOCK (UN-READABLE HAND PRINTED WORD) PASSES THE BOX TEST."
NHTSA ODI #11229455
Official recalls
2Sep 15, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).
Mar 10, 2014
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Honda Civic LX vehicles manufactured November 26, 2013, through January 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, during mounting of the tires, the tire bead may have gotten pinched between the assembly equipment and the steel wheel rims, resulting in damage to the tire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The tire damage could cause the tire to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any damaged tire, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD8.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.