DOOR LOCKS LOCKING/UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WON'T LOCK EITHER WITH KEY FOB OR MANUALLY.
2013 Honda CR-V
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 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
259 reports with mileage · 123 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 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
38 reportsCPSC: 2013 HONDA CR-V: CONSUMER STATED HE IS ONLY ABLE TO HEAR THE TURN SIGNAL IF THE AIR CONDITIONER, AND RADIO HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, AND THE SIGNAL DOES NOT SHOW ON THE DASH. *SS
I WENT OUT SATURDAY MORNING STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING (EPS). I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP UNTIL TUESDAY (MONDAY HOLIDAY) SO IT ISN'T FIXED YET.
ON MY 4TH BATTERY, THEY KEEP DYING LEAVING US STRANDED. SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED BY DEALER THERE IS A INTERNAL HONDA MEMO HOW TO RESOLVE BUT IT DID NOT WORK. NO CURRENT DRAIN THEY CHECKED. JUST TODAY WITH A 15 MONTH OLD BATTERY IT DIED AND YET AGAIN THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE BATTERY EACH YEAR. BA…
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ON MY 4TH BATTERY, THEY KEEP DYING LEAVING US STRANDED. SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED BY DEALER THERE IS A INTERNAL HONDA MEMO HOW TO RESOLVE BUT IT DID NOT WORK. NO CURRENT DRAIN THEY CHECKED. JUST TODAY WITH A 15 MONTH OLD BATTERY IT DIED AND YET AGAIN THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE BATTERY EACH YEAR. BAD DESIGN MY LOYALTY TO HONDA IS FADING FAST.
MY CAR HAD LESS THAN 34,000 AND I WENT TO START IT AND IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP, I HAD TO HAD IT TOWED AND IT TURNED OUT IT HAD A DEAD CELL AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE LAST CAR I HAD THE BATTERY WAS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. THIS CAR IS OVER 3 YEARS SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON IT. JUST FEEL THIS SHOULD BE…
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MY CAR HAD LESS THAN 34,000 AND I WENT TO START IT AND IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. IT WOULD NOT TAKE A JUMP, I HAD TO HAD IT TOWED AND IT TURNED OUT IT HAD A DEAD CELL AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE LAST CAR I HAD THE BATTERY WAS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. THIS CAR IS OVER 3 YEARS SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON IT. JUST FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO.
WE PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA CRV AND WOUND UP RETURNING THE VEHICLE THAT DAY WITH ONLY 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND WAS BEHIND US IN OUR OTHER CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL BASICALLY LOST POWER. IT FELT AS IF THE RESISTANCE BEHIND THE PEDAL JUST DISAPPEARED (ACCEL…
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WE PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA CRV AND WOUND UP RETURNING THE VEHICLE THAT DAY WITH ONLY 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR. WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND WAS BEHIND US IN OUR OTHER CAR. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL BASICALLY LOST POWER. IT FELT AS IF THE RESISTANCE BEHIND THE PEDAL JUST DISAPPEARED (ACCELERATOR HESITANCY ALSO HAPPENED AT A LEFT TURN GOING 5 MPH). AT THAT MOMENT THE CAR LOST POWER...SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, THE PEDAL RESUMED ITS NORMAL FEEL AND POWER RESUMED...IT DID THIS 3 TIMES. RIGHT AT THE FIRST TIME IT DID THIS, I HEARD A TRIPLE CLICK (SOUNDED LIKE THE CLICKS YOU GET WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT TURN ON AFTER BATTERY DRAIN). SO, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, LOSS OF POWER, POWER, LOSS OF POWER, POWER, LOSS OF POWER, POWER. I IMMEDIATELY GOT INTO THE RIGHT LANE THINKING THE CAR WAS GOING TO DIE ON ME AND EXPECTING TO HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. MY HUSBAND WATCHED THE WHOLE THING IN OUR TRUCK SO HE HAD A GOOD VIEW. HE SAW 3 EXPULSIONS OF BLUISH EXHAUST COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND SAW THE CAR SLOW DOWN AT EACH OF THE POWER LOSS EVENTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS HAPPENING NO ONLY TO THIS CAR, BUT THE FORESTER AND RAV4 AND OTHERS. SERVICE WAS SO RELIANT ON THEIR COMPUTER READ OUT, WHICH SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, THAT WE DID NOT HAVE FAITH THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM AND FIND A SOLUTION. SO WE CANCELLED THE SALE. IT IS ASHAME THAT THE NHTS HAS ONLY REQUIRED MAT CHANGES AS RECALLS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ERROR IN WHICH THE CAR COMPUTER (WHICH NOW CONTROLS THE GAS PEDAL RATHER THAN AN ACTUAL LINE GOING TO IT) IS TELLING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. AND THE FACT THAT THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECORD A PROBLEM LIKELY IS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND OUR OWN GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG IS MAKING OUR ROADS LESS SAFE. THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT. CAR MATS, REALLY PEOPLE?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HANGING WIRE AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COVER FOR THE AXLE WAS HANGING AND THE ELECTRONIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A HANGING WIRE AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COVER FOR THE AXLE WAS HANGING AND THE ELECTRONIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE REAR LIFTGATE AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WHEN I USED THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE REAR LIFTGATE DID OPEN AFTER THE THIRD TRY WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN BY EITHER THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED THE REAR SEAT CHILD LOCK SEVERAL TIMES …
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THE REAR LIFTGATE AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WHEN I USED THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE REAR LIFTGATE DID OPEN AFTER THE THIRD TRY WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN BY EITHER THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED THE REAR SEAT CHILD LOCK SEVERAL TIMES AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE DOOR STILL WILL NOT OPEN. UPDATED 09/15/15*LJ *CN
BATTERY WAS GOING DEAD PERIODICALLY. THOUGHT I WAS LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR DOOR OPEN. TOLD THE HONDA DEALER TO CHECK THE BATTERY WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY NEVER CHECKED IT. DIDNT EVEN PUT THAT I ASKED TO CHECK IT. OUT OF WARRANTY BATTERY WENT DEAD. DID A CHECK AT AUTOZONE THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTENATOR. CHANGED …
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BATTERY WAS GOING DEAD PERIODICALLY. THOUGHT I WAS LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR DOOR OPEN. TOLD THE HONDA DEALER TO CHECK THE BATTERY WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY NEVER CHECKED IT. DIDNT EVEN PUT THAT I ASKED TO CHECK IT. OUT OF WARRANTY BATTERY WENT DEAD. DID A CHECK AT AUTOZONE THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTENATOR. CHANGED ALTENATOR STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE VOLTS ONLY STAY UP WHEN I KEEP THE HEADLIGHTS ON. ( MORE TO THIS STORY ABOUT MY BAD DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE BUT DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT) *JS
AT WORK, FINISHED MY SHIFT, MOVE CAR TO EXIT, TURN CAR OFF WENT IN SWIPE MY CARD GET IN CAR PUT KEY IN TO START AND CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, ALL LIGHTS LIGHTS ON IN CAR, WINDOWS WORKS BUT BATTERY WOULDN'T START...THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AT WORK, I HAD TO JUMP START, ENGINE STARTS UP AT FIRST TURN OVER...MY CAR HAVE A VE…
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AT WORK, FINISHED MY SHIFT, MOVE CAR TO EXIT, TURN CAR OFF WENT IN SWIPE MY CARD GET IN CAR PUT KEY IN TO START AND CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, ALL LIGHTS LIGHTS ON IN CAR, WINDOWS WORKS BUT BATTERY WOULDN'T START...THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AT WORK, I HAD TO JUMP START, ENGINE STARTS UP AT FIRST TURN OVER...MY CAR HAVE A VERY RATTLES SOUND WHEN I PUT KEY IN TO START AT ALL TIMES, IS LIKE I EXCEED THE TURNING POINT BUT I DON'T. I TURNED KEY NATURALLY TO START BUT STARTER STILL RATTLES...I BELIEVED IT'S A STARTER PROBLEM AND IT'S SCARING ME, MY CAR IS JUST ONE YEAR OLD, I BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR SEPTEMBER OF 2013... *TR
Official recalls
223V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Dec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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