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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.

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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.

22 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

97 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I don't know what's wrong with it, it has been shuddering on low speeds. I just bought it yesterday and I'm devasted that I just got a 16,000 car and the same night I'm driving it and it's doing this. I have done research and this is no doubt a defect in many other people's car. This needs to be addressed how is this not a serio…

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I don't know what's wrong with it, it has been shuddering on low speeds. I just bought it yesterday and I'm devasted that I just got a 16,000 car and the same night I'm driving it and it's doing this. I have done research and this is no doubt a defect in many other people's car. This needs to be addressed how is this not a serious defeat and safety issue. You start off or pull out from a red light and it doesn't want to go, this IS a safety/accident concern. Please respond and please help. Honda has always been one of the best vehicles I have owned 5 in my lifetime, but I seen many many reviews with people pleading for Honda to fix this issue and they are turning their backs...not good for Honda to say the least. Regards, Teresa

NHTSA ODI #11447726

65,000 miles · Nov 24, 2021
EngineSuspension

The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacture…

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The contact owns a 2013 Honda CR-V. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11441578

90,000 miles · May 14, 2021
Engine

VEHICLE STATIONARY. VARIABLE TIMING CHAIN ACTUATOR (VTC ACTUATOR) STARTED TO GRIND UPON ENGINE STARTS AT 90K. HAD THE VTC REPLACED FOR $700 AND WITHIN A YEAR IT FAILED AGAIN CAUSING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE UPON ENGINE STARTS. DEALER THEN REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS FOR $1200 SAYING THAT WAS THE ISSUE CAUSING THE NOI…

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VEHICLE STATIONARY. VARIABLE TIMING CHAIN ACTUATOR (VTC ACTUATOR) STARTED TO GRIND UPON ENGINE STARTS AT 90K. HAD THE VTC REPLACED FOR $700 AND WITHIN A YEAR IT FAILED AGAIN CAUSING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE UPON ENGINE STARTS. DEALER THEN REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS FOR $1200 SAYING THAT WAS THE ISSUE CAUSING THE NOISE. NEXT MORNING THE CAR IS MAKING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER BUT APPARENTLY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE SOUND. VIDEO RECORDED THE SOUND TO SEND THEM. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE: TSB 16-012 I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2013 AND HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT HONDA. I SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO HAVE THIS FIXED AT THE DEALER AND THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED. I WANT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE BUT CAN'T ALLOW SOMEONE ELSE TO BUY A DEFECTIVE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11416571

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteering

ONE COLD WINTER MORNING, MY ENGINE LIGHT, POWER TRAIN AND STEERING WHEEL WARNING SIGNS ALL TURNED ON. I HAD CHECKED MY OIL AND IT WAS STILL 40% FULL. I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOW NOT MORE THAN 20MPH. ALSO THE GAS GALLON INDICATOR WENT FROM 36MPG TO 20MPG. IT IS BURNING WAY MORE GAS THAN IT WAS. I STARTED RESEA…

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ONE COLD WINTER MORNING, MY ENGINE LIGHT, POWER TRAIN AND STEERING WHEEL WARNING SIGNS ALL TURNED ON. I HAD CHECKED MY OIL AND IT WAS STILL 40% FULL. I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOW NOT MORE THAN 20MPH. ALSO THE GAS GALLON INDICATOR WENT FROM 36MPG TO 20MPG. IT IS BURNING WAY MORE GAS THAN IT WAS. I STARTED RESEARCHING AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER CONSUMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M WRITING THIS BECAUSE I WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEIR HONDA CR-V MODEL. I KNOW IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND ESPECIALLY IN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR MOVES SLOWER THAN IT USUALLY DOES. IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING IT AT ALL TILL WE GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #11403019

25,000 miles · Dec 3, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

AS LIKE OTHER REPORTS MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A LARGE RATTLING SOUND FOR YEARS AND IT'S GETTING WORSE AND FROM WHAT I'VE LOOKED UP IT CAN BE VERY BAD AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND HONDA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO OUR CARS AND DO A RECALL BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR A DEFECT. I AM ASSUM…

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AS LIKE OTHER REPORTS MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A LARGE RATTLING SOUND FOR YEARS AND IT'S GETTING WORSE AND FROM WHAT I'VE LOOKED UP IT CAN BE VERY BAD AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND HONDA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO OUR CARS AND DO A RECALL BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR A DEFECT. I AM ASSUMING IT IS THE SAME VTC ACTUATOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE TIMING CHAIN WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11377815

1,000,000 miles · Nov 19, 2020
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH CAR BEGINS TO JERK AND VIBRATE. HAVE TO INCREASE SPEED TO MAKE IT STOP.1

NHTSA ODI #11375344

82,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Engine

WHEN STARTING COLD, AS SITTING OVERNIGHT, TURN KEY ,GRINDING NOISE FROM ENGINE, ONLY TIME IT HAPPENS

NHTSA ODI #11373071

110,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED; A TIRE ROD WAS REPLACED; THE WHEELS WERE BALANCED AND ALIGNED; AND THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED; A TIRE ROD WAS REPLACED; THE WHEELS WERE BALANCED AND ALIGNED; AND THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. DESPITE THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE WITH HAGERSTOWN HONDA (10307 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740) ABOUT THE FAILURE AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AT HER OWNS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11367010

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2020
EnginePower Train

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COSTS OF KNOWN PROBLEMS IN THEIR VEHICLES. THE ISSUE IS THE VCT ACTUATOR WHICH RESULTS IN A VERY LOUD METALLIC RATTLING ON A COLD START. I HAVE HAD THE VCT ACTUATOR REPLACED TWO TIMES. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COVER THE SECOND TIME AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER FINALLY DI…

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MY COMPLAINT IS THAT HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COSTS OF KNOWN PROBLEMS IN THEIR VEHICLES. THE ISSUE IS THE VCT ACTUATOR WHICH RESULTS IN A VERY LOUD METALLIC RATTLING ON A COLD START. I HAVE HAD THE VCT ACTUATOR REPLACED TWO TIMES. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COVER THE SECOND TIME AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER FINALLY DID. IT THEN OF COURSE HAPPENED AGAIN. I ALSO HAD A SECOND KNOWN PROBLEM, (JUTTERING, WHICH IS A VIBRATION/SHAKING WHILE DRIVING/ACCELERATING AT LOWER SPEEDS) WHICH THEY FIXED ONCE, AGAIN, IT ALSO CAME BACK. LAST YEAR THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOW ONCE AGAIN, THE VCT ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AGAIN, THIS IS A KNOWN HONDA PROBLEM THAT THEY REFUSE TO FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS HAS AFFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE, JUST READ THE MESSAGE BOARDS WHICH ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO EITHER LIVE WITH THE RIDICULOUSLY LOUD RATTLING OR CONTINUE TO PAY TO REPAIR A FAULTY ITEM WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM! I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH THIS. I HAVE OWNED HONDAS FOR YEARS, NEVER AGAIN! BASICALLY I AM STUCK WITH A NOISY CAR THAT SHAKES WITH ACCELERATION AND I EITHER KEEP PAYING TO FIX IT OR LIVE WITH IT. NEITHER IS ACCEPTABLE AND HONDA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE DATE I LISTED IS 10/27/20 BUT THESE ISSUES GO BACK FURTHER, TODAY WAS JUST THE FINAL STRAW FOR ME... I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING HONDA ALTHOUGH IT CLEARLY WON'T DO ANY GOOD....

NHTSA ODI #11366760

84,500 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Engine

A SURGE, VIBRATION, OR JUDDER MAY BE FELT WHILE DRIVING UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION

NHTSA ODI #11360173

Official recalls

2

23V858000 · 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

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

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

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

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

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

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

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