ENGINE RATTLES AT COLD START UP. PER SERVICE BULLETIN THE VTC ACTUATOR IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH AN UPGRADED PART. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AGAIN.
2012 Honda CR-V
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda CR-V do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 400.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CR-V years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
279 reports with mileage · 124 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.
- Engine. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
89 reportsGRINDING NOISE UPON COLD START. THIS ISSUE STARTED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AGO. DID NOT HAPPEN ON EVERY START. ASKED DEALERSHIP WHAT IT MIGHT BE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. OVER THE PAST YEAR, NOISE HAPPENS RELIGIOUSLY EVERY TIME THERE IS A COLD START. DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR AND I AM NOW PAST MY WARRANTY. …
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GRINDING NOISE UPON COLD START. THIS ISSUE STARTED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AGO. DID NOT HAPPEN ON EVERY START. ASKED DEALERSHIP WHAT IT MIGHT BE AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING. OVER THE PAST YEAR, NOISE HAPPENS RELIGIOUSLY EVERY TIME THERE IS A COLD START. DEALERSHIP NOW SAYS IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR AND I AM NOW PAST MY WARRANTY. IT APPEARS THAT A TSB WAS ISSUED MARCH 2016. WHY HAS NO RECALL BEEN MADE SINCE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE?
ENGINE- PURCHASED CAR IN AUG 2013 IN WINTER THAT YEAR I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AT MORNING STARTS WHEN IT WAS COLD. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER SERVICE WHO SAID IT WAS PROBABLY VTC ACTUATOR. HAD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE OVER NGHT SO THEY COULD HEAR IT IN AM. OF COURSE THE NIGHT I TOOK IT WASNT COLD ENOUGH NEXT AM TO MAKE NOISE. T…
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ENGINE- PURCHASED CAR IN AUG 2013 IN WINTER THAT YEAR I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AT MORNING STARTS WHEN IT WAS COLD. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER SERVICE WHO SAID IT WAS PROBABLY VTC ACTUATOR. HAD TO BRING IT BACK AND LEAVE OVER NGHT SO THEY COULD HEAR IT IN AM. OF COURSE THE NIGHT I TOOK IT WASNT COLD ENOUGH NEXT AM TO MAKE NOISE. TOOK IT 3 OTHER TIMES SINCE ALL TO HONDA DEALER PLUS REPORTED IT EACH TIME I TOOK IN FOR SERVICE. NEVER ABLE TO HEAR NOISE BECAUSE TOO WARM. STILL MAKING NOISE TODAY, 5 YEARS LATER. WARRANTY EXPIRED. VERY AGGRAVATING. ELECTRICAL- BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS, THIS YEAR IT WAS IN JANURARY. SOMETHING IS DRAINING IT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EVEN TURNED OFF AND NOT RUNNING. LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN LEFT ON TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. EACH TIME I HAVE TO GET A NEW BATTERY THE SALES PERSON SAYS THE BATTERY IS TOO NEW TO BE DRAINED ALREADY AND THERE MUST BE SOMETHING DRAINING IT. HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE THERE WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THE FIRST 2 TIMES I TOOK IT THERE THE THIRD TIME I DIDNT WASTE MY TIME GOING THERE.
WE HAD A DIRECT DEER HIT ON I81 NORTH IN GRANTVILLE PA. THE DIRECT HIT WAS TAKEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE AIRBAG ONLY DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS SEEMED VERY ODD TO US. EITHER BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR NEITHER AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPL…
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WE HAD A DIRECT DEER HIT ON I81 NORTH IN GRANTVILLE PA. THE DIRECT HIT WAS TAKEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE AIRBAG ONLY DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS SEEMED VERY ODD TO US. EITHER BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR NEITHER AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED. I REPORTED THIS TO AMERICAN HONDA, BUT THEY REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE IT AND I HAD TO BEG THEM FOR AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND THE PICTURES TO. GIVEN THEIR ATTITUDE, I FELT I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS ACCIDENT TO NHTSA. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURER'S INSURANCE CO.
PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE WITH 2012 HONDA CR-V'S AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE: THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATES OR WOBBLES WHEN ACCELERATING IN LOW GEARS. IT STOPS WHEN EASING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BETWEEN T…
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PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE WITH 2012 HONDA CR-V'S AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE: THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATES OR WOBBLES WHEN ACCELERATING IN LOW GEARS. IT STOPS WHEN EASING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS BY REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATING CAR QUICKLY TO HIGHER SPEED. THE ISSUE AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO SAFELY ACCELERATE TO PROPER SPEED. BEGINS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL CAR REACHES ABOUT 40-45 MILES PER HOUR. OCCURS ON ALL TYPES OF ROAD CONDITIONS BUT IS VERY PRONOUNCED WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT THE HONDA OF THE AVENUES AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS RESOLVED. IT HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED AND I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING SO I HAVEN'T HAD THE CHANCE TO TAKE IT BACK. I AM UP TO DATE WITH ALL MY OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH MY 2012 HONDA CRV AS OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE ARE COMPLAINING ONLINE. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL SERVICE.
CAR IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON CITY STREET, WHEN SUDDENLY ALL POWER IS LOST. ENGINE STILL RUNNING BUT NO POWER WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS LASTS FROM 5 TO 10 SECONDS. THEN SUDDENLY KICKS IN AGAIN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. TALKED TO HONDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. T…
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CAR IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON CITY STREET, WHEN SUDDENLY ALL POWER IS LOST. ENGINE STILL RUNNING BUT NO POWER WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS LASTS FROM 5 TO 10 SECONDS. THEN SUDDENLY KICKS IN AGAIN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. TALKED TO HONDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE.
THE VTC IS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE ON A COLD START UP. THIS STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE AND HAS NOT GONE AWAY. MY CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE AT HOME AND IS PARKED OUTSIDE AT WORK BUT WILL DO THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT.
EVERY TIME I START A CAR I HEAR A GRINDING SOUND THAT LASTS FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND THEN STOPS. THIS IS HOW IT SOUNDS LIKE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KR20BAOXBO8 THIS HAPPENS TO HONDA CR-V'S AND ACCORDS WITH 2.4L 4 CYL. ENGINES. THE ISSUES KNOWN AS "VTC ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY" - HTTPS://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOA…
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EVERY TIME I START A CAR I HEAR A GRINDING SOUND THAT LASTS FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND THEN STOPS. THIS IS HOW IT SOUNDS LIKE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KR20BAOXBO8 THIS HAPPENS TO HONDA CR-V'S AND ACCORDS WITH 2.4L 4 CYL. ENGINES. THE ISSUES KNOWN AS "VTC ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY" - HTTPS://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/UCM501009/SB-10041669-6712.PDF THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN 2010 - 2016 AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE. AS OF NOW HONDA IS NOT ADMITTING THAT THERE IS THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONICELLI HONDA DEALER LOCATED AT 1100 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428; (484) 533-2352 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONICELLI HONDA DEALER LOCATED AT 1100 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428; (484) 533-2352 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OUTSTANDING SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,920.
ENGINE RATTLES ON COLD START. TIES TO THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 09-010 ISSUE. THIS WAS REPORTED TO SUBURBAN HONDA NOVI 7/18/2016 WHEN CAR MILEAGE WAS 59716. CAR WAS RETURNED INDICATING THIS ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. SERVICE BULETIN DATES BACK TO MARCH 17 2016. HOW DID SUBURBAN HONDA NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE ISSUE WHEN I FIRS…
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ENGINE RATTLES ON COLD START. TIES TO THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN 09-010 ISSUE. THIS WAS REPORTED TO SUBURBAN HONDA NOVI 7/18/2016 WHEN CAR MILEAGE WAS 59716. CAR WAS RETURNED INDICATING THIS ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. SERVICE BULETIN DATES BACK TO MARCH 17 2016. HOW DID SUBURBAN HONDA NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE ISSUE WHEN I FIRST REPORTED TO THEM ON 7/18/2016? TODAY 8/16/17 THIS ISSUE HAS COUMPONDED. EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED AFTER KEPT IDLE OF MORE THAN AN HOUR THE RATTLE SOUND IS REAL LUD. LOCAL TECHNICIAN, PAUL'S AUTOMOTIVE SAID YESTERDAY, IT IS REAL IMPOARTANT IT BE LOOKED AT BY HONDA. SO TAKIN IT TO SUBURBAN HONDA TODAY 8/16/17.
Official recalls
313V143000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 15, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
12V501000 · Equipment:other:labels
Oct 16, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 CR-V, equipped with the LX trim level and manufactured from August 30, 2012, to August 31, 2012. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification." The incorrect values for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating front and rear, tire size, and rim size were specified on the safety certification label.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading. Improper loading could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will apply the corrective label free of charge. The safety recall began on November 14, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
12V338000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Jul 19, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda CR-V and model year 2013 Acura ILX vehicles. If the manual or power door lock is activated while an interior front door handle is being operated by an occupant, the cable connecting the interior door handle to the door latch mechanism may become loose and move out of position. There is a possibility that the cable can move far enough out of position to prevent the door from properly latching.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the door is not fully latched, the door may open while driving or in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front door latch assemblies in the affected vehicles, free of charge. Additionally, the interior front door handles in certain Honda CR-Vs will also be replaced, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, August 16, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
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
3EA21002 · 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.
EQ12002 · Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
Opened Feb 14, 2012 · Closed May 8, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
Illustration