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2015 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 180 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports

Power Train complaints

176 reports
Clear category filter
1 miles · Dec 3, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

ABOUT 15 SECONDS ENTERING THE FREEWAY I DECIDED TO MERGE. AS I ACCELERATED I HEARD SOMETHING POP OR LIKE A CLUNK/THUMP SOUND, LIKE SOMETHING HAD SHIFTED, THEN MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS MY RPM WAS MOVING BUT MY CAUSE WAS NOT. GOOD THING I WAS STILL ON THE FAR RIGHT HAND SIDE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL T…

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ABOUT 15 SECONDS ENTERING THE FREEWAY I DECIDED TO MERGE. AS I ACCELERATED I HEARD SOMETHING POP OR LIKE A CLUNK/THUMP SOUND, LIKE SOMETHING HAD SHIFTED, THEN MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS MY RPM WAS MOVING BUT MY CAUSE WAS NOT. GOOD THING I WAS STILL ON THE FAR RIGHT HAND SIDE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT CAUSING ANY ACCIDENTS. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THEN BACK ON. ENGINE WAS FINE, IT STARTED BUT I MY CAR WASN'T MOVING WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS ON DRIVE. I TRIED TO REVERSE MY CAR BUT IT MOVED VERY LITTLE AS WELL. SOUNDS LIKE MY PROBLEM REFLECTS THE RECALL ON 2014-2015 HONDA CIVIC CARS REGARDING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, ALTHOUGH A RECALL DOESN'T SHOW WHEN TYPING MY VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11155636

36,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Power Train

THE CAR HAS A KNOWN ISSUE AS TOLD TO ME BY HONDA DEALER WITH THE PRESSAURE PLAYER SPRINGS FAILING CAUSING LOUD GRINDR NOISE. IT HAPPENS WHEN TAKING OFF IN FIRST GEAR ON THESE CARS. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL 9TH GENERATION HONDA CIVICS FORUMS LIST THE PROBLEM AS A PRESSURE PLATE. HONDA IS ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE 2800 TO FIX A PLROBL…

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THE CAR HAS A KNOWN ISSUE AS TOLD TO ME BY HONDA DEALER WITH THE PRESSAURE PLAYER SPRINGS FAILING CAUSING LOUD GRINDR NOISE. IT HAPPENS WHEN TAKING OFF IN FIRST GEAR ON THESE CARS. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL 9TH GENERATION HONDA CIVICS FORUMS LIST THE PROBLEM AS A PRESSURE PLATE. HONDA IS ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE 2800 TO FIX A PLROBLEM THEY KNOW IS WITH A FLAWED PART. WHEN SITTING IN FIRST GEAR AND YOU LET THE CLUTCH OUT THE CAR MEMAKES A GRINDR NOISE. ONE HONDA FORUM LIST OVER 52 PAGES OF PEOPLE ADDRESSING HAVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11151040

73,835 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE MILEAGE: 73,835 DESCRIPTION: OCTOBER 27TH, MY TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE EXPIRED AT 73,835 MILES. I WAS SITTING STILL IN THE TURN LANE OF A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS I HEARD A THUMP. NOTHING LOUD OR SCARY, JUST A THUMP. NONE OF MY GEARS WOULD WORK BUT THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. SOME GOOD …

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VEHICLE MILEAGE: 73,835 DESCRIPTION: OCTOBER 27TH, MY TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE EXPIRED AT 73,835 MILES. I WAS SITTING STILL IN THE TURN LANE OF A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS I HEARD A THUMP. NOTHING LOUD OR SCARY, JUST A THUMP. NONE OF MY GEARS WOULD WORK BUT THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. SOME GOOD OLE BOYS PUSHED ME FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11144509

120,000 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO OPEN ROAD HONDA (50 US-1, EDISON, NJ 08817, (732)-234-9716) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11129109

120,000 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Power Train

A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 FOR 2014 AND 2015 HONDA CIVICS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MY 2015 CIVIC WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2015 AND ON SEPT. 10, 2018 EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO CARS IN THE RECALL. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF THE RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THESE I…

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A RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 FOR 2014 AND 2015 HONDA CIVICS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. MY 2015 CIVIC WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER 2015 AND ON SEPT. 10, 2018 EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO CARS IN THE RECALL. I AM WRITING TO SEE IF THE RECALL IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. AMERICAN HONDA IS MAINTAINING NO RESPONSIBILITY AND REFERRED ME TO NHTSA, CLAIMING MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. BUT THE TIME FRAME AND PROBLEM EXPERIENCED IS SUSPECT.

NHTSA ODI #11129105

61,000 miles · Aug 19, 2018
Power Train

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, IT FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A TURN AND NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OUT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE OKAY. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE CAR JUST JERKED WITH A BIG CLUNKING SOUND AND THEN IT STOPPED ALL TOGETH…

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ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING, IT FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A TURN AND NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OUT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE OKAY. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE CAR JUST JERKED WITH A BIG CLUNKING SOUND AND THEN IT STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. I WAS STRANDED WITH A DEAD CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL AND IT ONLY HAD 61,00 MILES ON IT!!

NHTSA ODI #11120882

46,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE PULLEY SHAFT IS DAMAGED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR LOCKED UP AND BRAKED AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. THIS IS BAD LUCKILY I WAS ON A DESERTED FREEWAY AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11099886

79,000 miles · Apr 19, 2018
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOPARK HONDA (3630 OLD RALEIGH RD, CARY, NC 27511) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOPARK HONDA (3630 OLD RALEIGH RD, CARY, NC 27511) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A BENT CRANKSHAFT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11088973

40,000 miles · Aug 25, 2017
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ONE MILE TO WORK ON A PAVED ROAD. TRANSMISSION SOUNDS LIKE IT SLIPPING WHEN IN MOTION, RPM GOES UP TO 5 WHEN I GOING 15 MPH. CAR WAS GOING SLOW THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR AND AM TAKING IT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11019797

25,000 miles · Jul 2, 2017
Power Train

PUT THE GEAR IN PARK. LEFT CAR RUNNING, WHILE I HAD TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. CAR STARTED MOVING AND DAMAGED THE WOODEN BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. MY LANDLORD OWNS THE GARAGE AND THIS INCIDENT CAUSED $ 500 IN DAMAGES. THIS ISSUE COULD EASILY KILL A PERSON. WHY DOES HONDA NOT REPORT A SERIOUS ISSUE LIKE THAT. THEY ARE …

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PUT THE GEAR IN PARK. LEFT CAR RUNNING, WHILE I HAD TO MANUALLY CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. CAR STARTED MOVING AND DAMAGED THE WOODEN BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. MY LANDLORD OWNS THE GARAGE AND THIS INCIDENT CAUSED $ 500 IN DAMAGES. THIS ISSUE COULD EASILY KILL A PERSON. WHY DOES HONDA NOT REPORT A SERIOUS ISSUE LIKE THAT. THEY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11002708

Official recalls

1

15V574000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 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).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems