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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.

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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.

27 crash reports4 fire reports19 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2024
Service Brakes

ABS modulator has been replaced 3 times and I am seeing online that this seems to be a common problem. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11593650

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2023
Service Brakes

Rear Brakes do not release completely. On Sept 2015 Replaced rear pads @36776. On July 2017 Replaced Pads and Rotors @59439. On Sept 2018 replaced Rotors, Pads, and both Calipers @70037. On June 2020 replaced Rotors and Pads @90000. On Nov 2020 replaced Driver caliper. On July 2021 replaced Rotors, calipers, and Pads @99…

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Rear Brakes do not release completely. On Sept 2015 Replaced rear pads @36776. On July 2017 Replaced Pads and Rotors @59439. On Sept 2018 replaced Rotors, Pads, and both Calipers @70037. On June 2020 replaced Rotors and Pads @90000. On Nov 2020 replaced Driver caliper. On July 2021 replaced Rotors, calipers, and Pads @99374. On Mar 2023 replaced Passenger Caliper, Rotors and Pads @111762. All of these repairs were done be a certified mechanic shop and I have all receipts. The Honda dealership states there is no problem.

NHTSA ODI #11510131

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2022
Service Brakes

I bought this 2012 Honda CRV from a friend who always had the Honda dealership maintain it right on the recommended schedule. He told me the only real problem he'd had with the car was the brakes. His maintenance records showed that in 90,000 miles the Honda dealer had replaced the rear brake pads 4 times. The vehicle had 103,00…

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I bought this 2012 Honda CRV from a friend who always had the Honda dealership maintain it right on the recommended schedule. He told me the only real problem he'd had with the car was the brakes. His maintenance records showed that in 90,000 miles the Honda dealer had replaced the rear brake pads 4 times. The vehicle had 103,000 miles on the odometer when I bought it and when I inspected the rear brakes the pads were nearly down to the metal. I had the pads replaced and 17,000 miles later my mechanic said they are nearly metal-to-metal, again. This is a common complaint with CRV owners of this era vehicle. You can easily look up similar complaints on every Honda owners' group.

NHTSA ODI #11477196

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2021
Service Brakes

Premature wear of rear brakes - caliper locks up. First replaced pads at 3 years old, 39000 miles. 2 years later, at 59000 miles, replaced pads rotors and serviced calipers. 2 years after that, at 70000 miles replaced calipers, pads and rotors. 2 years after that, at 90000 miles, replaced rear brake rotors and pads again. 6…

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Premature wear of rear brakes - caliper locks up. First replaced pads at 3 years old, 39000 miles. 2 years later, at 59000 miles, replaced pads rotors and serviced calipers. 2 years after that, at 70000 miles replaced calipers, pads and rotors. 2 years after that, at 90000 miles, replaced rear brake rotors and pads again. 6 months later, at 95000 miles, replaced calipers. 8 months later at 100000, replaced calipers, pads and rotors. The internet forums blame the rear hydraulic hoses for collapsing when warm, locking up the calipers. This time the shop will also replace those hoses. I've only had to replace the front brakes once, pads and rotors, at 90000. Honda has a real problem here and the dealer won't acknowledge it.

NHTSA ODI #11423242

59,000 miles · May 6, 2020
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES WERE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED LIGHT INDICATOR DID NOT LIGHT UP TO SHOW THERE WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11323507

59,900 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Service Brakes

WHILE PARKING MY CAR AS I WAS TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT ON REVERSE THE BREAK PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE PUT IT IN PARK, NOTICED FLUID PUDDLE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. WALKED TO AUTO MECH A BLOCK AWAY . THEY PICKED UP CAR NEXT DAY SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ,.FRONT BRAKE HOSE WAS TORN FROM …

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WHILE PARKING MY CAR AS I WAS TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN IT OUT ON REVERSE THE BREAK PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE PUT IT IN PARK, NOTICED FLUID PUDDLE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. WALKED TO AUTO MECH A BLOCK AWAY . THEY PICKED UP CAR NEXT DAY SINCE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ,.FRONT BRAKE HOSE WAS TORN FROM WEAR OUT . ASKED MECHANIC WHAT CAUSED IT , CLAIMED THE HOSE IS NOT LONG ENOUGH AND WHEN TURNING CREATES TENSION SHOULD TALK TO HONDA AND IN HIS 20 YRS. EXP.DIDN'T SEE THIS AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY ,WHEN ASKED IF HE USED A LONGER HOSE HE SAID THERE'S ONLY 1 TYPE FOR THIS VEHICLE TOOK.. USUALLY USE HIGHWAYS DUE TO MY JOB BUT THANKFULLY I WAS OFF THAT DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11196039

74,000 miles · Mar 13, 2019
Service Brakes

CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT - FELT LIKE CAR KINDA JOLTED AND BRAKE FELT HARDENED, AFTER RETRYING IT WAS ALL FINE. HAPPENED THIS AGAIN TO MY WIFE TWICE WHILE SHE WAS PULLING THE CAR OUT OF PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PULL BACK IN, CAR ACCELERATED, ON NEXT TRY IT WAS …

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CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT - FELT LIKE CAR KINDA JOLTED AND BRAKE FELT HARDENED, AFTER RETRYING IT WAS ALL FINE. HAPPENED THIS AGAIN TO MY WIFE TWICE WHILE SHE WAS PULLING THE CAR OUT OF PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PULL BACK IN, CAR ACCELERATED, ON NEXT TRY IT WAS FINE. TAKING IT TO HONDA SERVICE TOMORROW.

NHTSA ODI #11186608

64,000 miles · Sep 30, 2017
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE ROTORS SCORED EXTENSIVELY ON NEW VEHICLE AT 45,000 MILES. ONE PAD FROZEN IN PLACE AGAINST ROTOR. HAD ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. JUST EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW ROTORS AND PADS AFTER 19000 MILES. ONE PAD HAS 0% WEAR LEFT AND WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. ONE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT WAS INTERNALLY CORRODED. DEALER…

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REAR BRAKE ROTORS SCORED EXTENSIVELY ON NEW VEHICLE AT 45,000 MILES. ONE PAD FROZEN IN PLACE AGAINST ROTOR. HAD ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. JUST EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW ROTORS AND PADS AFTER 19000 MILES. ONE PAD HAS 0% WEAR LEFT AND WAS FROZEN IN PLACE. ONE BRAKE CALIPER BOLT WAS INTERNALLY CORRODED. DEALER TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO BLAME THE THREE MILES DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS DAILY AS THE CULPRIT. CAR IS WASHED WITH UNDERBODY FLUSH ONCE PER WEEK. DOZENS OF OTHERS REPORT A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM REAR BRAKES. NEIGHBOR AND I REPLACED PADS AND CALIPER BOLTS. THE NEXT DAY I FELT SUFFICIENTLY COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND AGREED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS FOR NO COST AND TO REFUND MY COST FOR PADS AND CALIPER BOLTS. SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THERE IS A DESIGN AND/OR MATERIAL FLAW WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND NOTED THE PROBLEM IS EVEN MORE FREQUENT IN THE CIVIC. INCLUDED PICTURE SHOWS CORRODED CALIPER BOLT.

NHTSA ODI #11030681

51,000 miles · Mar 22, 2016
Service Brakes

MY WIFE TOOK VEHICLE (2012 CRV EX 2 WD) TO APOSTLAKIS HONDA IN HERMITAGE PA FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW REAR ROTORS/ BRAKE PADS. SERVICE REP STATED THAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE LEFT REAR BRAKES, THE PADS HAD NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO …

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MY WIFE TOOK VEHICLE (2012 CRV EX 2 WD) TO APOSTLAKIS HONDA IN HERMITAGE PA FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW REAR ROTORS/ BRAKE PADS. SERVICE REP STATED THAT DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE LEFT REAR BRAKES, THE PADS HAD NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS/PADS ON REAR OF VEHICLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION AT A COST OF NEARLY $400. FROM THE EXPLANATION OF THE SERVICE REP, IT APPEARS THAT A POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE DISINTEGRATION OF THE LEFT REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS. CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED WITH DEFECTIVE AND COMPROMISED BRAKING SYSTEM, I BELIEVE THIS CONCERN NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTORS NEEDS TO COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO ADDRESS AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10851013

60,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKE FAILURES. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10836369

Official recalls

3

13V143000 · 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

3

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.

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.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems