Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
3225–50K
3950–75K
3175–100K
25100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
380 reports
60,000 miles · May 3, 2020
Wheels
TPMS LIGHT WILL NOT RESET IF ALL FOUR TIRES ARE NOT THE SAME BRAND. TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN NORMAL. MULTIPLE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH NO AVAIL. THE TMPS SENSOR LIGHT IS ABLE TO BE TEMPORARILY RESET, BUT GOES OFF AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR A BRIEF TIME. ONLY WAY TO FIX IT PER TWO SEPARATE HONDA DEALERSHIPS IS TO GET ALL FOUR NEW…
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TPMS LIGHT WILL NOT RESET IF ALL FOUR TIRES ARE NOT THE SAME BRAND. TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN NORMAL. MULTIPLE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH NO AVAIL. THE TMPS SENSOR LIGHT IS ABLE TO BE TEMPORARILY RESET, BUT GOES OFF AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR A BRIEF TIME. ONLY WAY TO FIX IT PER TWO SEPARATE HONDA DEALERSHIPS IS TO GET ALL FOUR NEW TIRES. THE SAFETY AND WARNING LIGHT IS ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING. IT ALSO MAKES PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE FEEL WEARY OF THE CAR'S SAFETY WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO USE TO TRANSPORT BUSINESS PARTNERS, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #11323117
85,000 miles · Apr 29, 2020
Power Train
2/11/20, 7:10AM, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES, MY '15 HONDA CIVIC EX STARTED RUNNING LIKE A TIRE MIGHT BE FLAT. NO WARNING LIGHTS. HEADED TO NEAREST AIR APPROX. 1/2 MILE AWAY. AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT CAR WHEN NOWHERE. PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC.RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. NO CHANGE. THEN EV…
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2/11/20, 7:10AM, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES, MY '15 HONDA CIVIC EX STARTED RUNNING LIKE A TIRE MIGHT BE FLAT. NO WARNING LIGHTS. HEADED TO NEAREST AIR APPROX. 1/2 MILE AWAY. AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT CAR WHEN NOWHERE. PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC.RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. NO CHANGE. THEN EVERY POSSIBLE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP.ATTEMPTED TO PUSH TO NEARBY LOT BUT WHEELS WERE LOCKED. GOOGLED AND DISCOVERED A RECALL STARTED IN OCT '15 (SEE NHTSA 15V-574) ON '15 CIVICS MANUFACTURED 1/16/14-11/6/14 TO PREVENT JUST SUCH A FAILURE. MINE WAS MADE IN 10/14 BUT MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED.SOUGHT AFTER-WARRANTY CONSIDERATION FROM HONDA.HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER.CODE READER SHOWED P0793 INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR 'A' CIRCUIT NO SIGNAL.TECH NOTED DARK TRANSMISSION FLUID COMING OUT FILL HOLE INDICATING IT HAD BECOME HOT. (THIS HAPPENS DURING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE!). QUOTED $5,500 TO INSTALL REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. DECLINED. GOOGLED. FOUND NHTSA'S PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 15V-574. CAR MEETS PRODUCTION DATE CRITERIA. VEHICLE TYPE AND BODY STYLE NOT LISTED INDICATING ALL CIVICS WERE INVOLVED. STUDIED 2 LINES OF US-ASSEMBLED SEQUENTIAL VIN NUMBER RANGES AND BELIEVE ALL '15 CIVIC EX AND EX-L MODELS WERE ACCIDENTALLY LEFT OUT - EXCEPT FOR ONE EX - THE ONLY VEHICLE LISTED IN THE 2ND OF THE 2 RANGES. EXS AND EX-LS WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL OF CANADIAN-ASSEMBLED CIVICS. HONDA SPOKE ONLY WITH THE DIAGNOSING TECHNICIAN AND REFUSES TO HELP ALTHOUGH "CVT INPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR" IS COVERED FOR 15YEARS/150K MILES IN CARB-CERTIFIED VEHICLES, WHICH THIS IS. TECH SAID HONDA HAS DIRECTED DEALERS NOT TO REPAIR ENGINES OR TRANSMISSIONS. DON'T EVEN OPEN - JUST REPLACE. HAVE SPOKEN W/ OTHER '15 EX OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES WERE ALSO NOT RECALLED. NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE OF '15 CIVIC OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCED SAME FAILURE AND VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11322773
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2020
Power Train
MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION WARNING COME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT AROUND. TO EVENTUALLY THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND I HAD TO TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPLACE . TO NOW HAVING THE ISSUE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11322314
110,000 miles · Apr 10, 2020
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON I-84 HOME FROM COLLEGE AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLICK SOUND, AT WHICH POINT I LOST ALL DRIVE. THE CAR BEGAN DECELERATING AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER WHILE CARS AROUND ME WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE. THE CAR ENGINE RUNS FINE, BUT DOES NOT MOVE IN ANY GE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON I-84 HOME FROM COLLEGE AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLICK SOUND, AT WHICH POINT I LOST ALL DRIVE. THE CAR BEGAN DECELERATING AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER WHILE CARS AROUND ME WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE. THE CAR ENGINE RUNS FINE, BUT DOES NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAD TO PAY TO GET THE CAR TOWED 80 MILES TO MY HOME, AND NOW MUST ALSO FACE THE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION (TOW BILL ATTACHED). MY CAR IS ONLY AT 110K MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE FAILING, LET ALONE ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A TRANSMISSION RECALL FOR HONDA FIT AND CIVIC 2014-2015, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT RECALLED. (CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V574000) THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA IMMEDIATELY, AS IT POSES A SERIOUS CONCERN TO DRIVER SAFETY. I HAVE COUNTED OVER 10 REPORTS OF INCIDENTS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WHERE OWNERS LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE LISTED THE NHTSA ID NUMBERS BELOW. I ENCOURAGE OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE TO COME FORWARD TO WE CAN GET THIS RESOLVED. 11311307 11311181 11306809 11298039 11296711 11292563 11290218 11289222 11287571 11278148
NHTSA ODI #11320801
70,000 miles · Mar 31, 2020
Unknown Or Other
AIR CONDITIONER STARTED WORKING PART OF THE TIME. HALF THE TIME WOULD BLOW HOT AND OTHER BLOW COLD. I TOOK TO AN AIR CONDITIONER EXPERT AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED ALL NEW SYSTEM AND THAT HONDA IS KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE DONE ALL SERVICES ON TIME. NOW I AM OUT $950.00 TO STAY COOL.
NHTSA ODI #11319809
178,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST ACCELERATION IN DRIVE POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #11319269
30,750 miles · Mar 11, 2020
Air Bags
DURING 2019, THE AIRBAG SRS CODE B0001-13 APPEARED. I MADE 2 VISITS TO WALSER HONDA IN BURNVILLE. MN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DEC. 2ND I WAS CHARGED $79.26 AND DEC. 16, 2019 $148.51. THEY REPLACED THE REEL CABLE IN THE SYSTEM, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ERROR MESSAGE LISTED ABOVE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 6, 2020 …
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DURING 2019, THE AIRBAG SRS CODE B0001-13 APPEARED. I MADE 2 VISITS TO WALSER HONDA IN BURNVILLE. MN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DEC. 2ND I WAS CHARGED $79.26 AND DEC. 16, 2019 $148.51. THEY REPLACED THE REEL CABLE IN THE SYSTEM, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE ERROR MESSAGE LISTED ABOVE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 6, 2020 BECAUSE THE SAME WARNING LIGHT IS ON NON-STOP. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE SRS UNIT FOR $1100. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO PARTICIPATE YET I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $500 DEDUCTIBLE. HONDA'S AUTO TOUCHLINE COMMUNITY NOTES THAT MY CAR ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM.@MARSHALL SIDDONS "HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE CARS - '12-'14 CIVICS (NOT SURE IF I'VE EVER SEEN A '15 THOUGH)SINCE THE CARS WERE NEW.....THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SEEMS TO BE THE FIX." MY VEHICLE IS IN GOOD SHAPE WITH 30,000 MILES. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AND LIKELY A PROBLEM FOR OTHER HONDA CIVIC OWNERS. SHOULDN'T IT BE A FACTORY RECALL? TODAY, I SPOKE TO NATALIE IN AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE COMPANY DECLINES TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I REQUEST AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. PAY FOR THE FULL INSTALLATION OF NEW SRS AIRBAG UNIT AT NO COST TO ME AND REIMBURSE ME FOR $227.77. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11317578
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2020
Electrical System
THE DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR IS NOT WORKING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS NOT WORKING. I HAD THE BACK LEFT ACTUATOR REPLACED BEFORE. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #11317524
10,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND AT VEHICLE STARTUP. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND AT VEHICLE STARTUP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE HONDA (15700 RICK CASE HONDA WAY, WESTERN DAVIE, FL) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOX SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V574000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #11315621
62,000 miles · Feb 28, 2020
Wheels
TWO OF MY FOUR MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE (BULGED SIDEWALLS) THE TIRES HAVE UNDER 28K MILES, AND THE REMAINING TREAD I ESTIMATE AT 6/32S. BOTH OF THESE TIRES HAVE SPENT MOST OF THEIR LIFE ON THE REAR OF MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN. BEING ON THE REAR (TO ME) MEANS NO WEIGH…
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TWO OF MY FOUR MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES HAVE BELT SEPARATION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE (BULGED SIDEWALLS) THE TIRES HAVE UNDER 28K MILES, AND THE REMAINING TREAD I ESTIMATE AT 6/32S. BOTH OF THESE TIRES HAVE SPENT MOST OF THEIR LIFE ON THE REAR OF MY 2015 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN. BEING ON THE REAR (TO ME) MEANS NO WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION, NO STEERING FORCE, NO ACCELERATION FORCE, AND UNDER 50% OF BRAKING FORCE. THE FRONT TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN NOISE FROM THE REAR, AND I CANNOT PINPOINT THE EXACT START. THE DIAGNOSIS CAME FROM COSTCO TIRE CENTER #0328. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME AND HAD ME TOUCH/FEEL THE DEFECTS WITH MY HANDS. THE DEFECTS ARE IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD, AND ARE NOT NEAR THE SIDES AT ALL. MY TIRE SIZE IS 215/55R16 I DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS OR FURTHER ATTACHMENTS. I CAN PROVIDE THE SERIAL NUMBERS IF REQUIRED. THE DATE BELOW REPRESENTS THE DIAGNOSIS DATE. THE ZERO SPEED REPRESENTS AT THE TIME OF DIAGNOSIS WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT.
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.