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2014 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Honda CR-V do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 400.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

396 reports with mileage · 191 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 190 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports7 fire reports22 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

108 reports
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11,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD A FEW FEET IT CLUNKS THEN LURCHES AS IF THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY KICKED IN.

NHTSA ODI #10725393

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE AIR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. I CANCELED OUT PER INSTRUCTIONS OF DEALER AFTER I WENT TO THEM THE FIRST THREE TIMES - THEY CHECKED PRESSURE AND FOUND IT TO BE AS IT SHOULD BE. ALSO, LOW BEAMS ON HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT. HI BEAMS ARE OK. WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY IN THE DARK,…

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THE AIR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. I CANCELED OUT PER INSTRUCTIONS OF DEALER AFTER I WENT TO THEM THE FIRST THREE TIMES - THEY CHECKED PRESSURE AND FOUND IT TO BE AS IT SHOULD BE. ALSO, LOW BEAMS ON HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT. HI BEAMS ARE OK. WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY IN THE DARK, THE LOW BEAMS SEEM TO ONLY SHOW AREA DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TO USE HIGH BEAMS WOULD BE DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. PREVIOUSLY HAD ODYSSEY THAT GOT 22 MPG IN TOWN. IT HAD A 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. I THOUGHT THAT THE 4 CYLINDER CR-V WOULD DO BETTER THAN THAT, BUT DOES NOT DO BETTER IN TOWN. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS IN TOWN DRIVING. COST OF DOING REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE IS HIGH AT MY HONDA DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE INSPECTIONS AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE ARE VERY HIGH. I HAVE LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND $75 OVER AND ABOVE THE PRICE FOR THE OIL CHANGE SEEMED PRETTY STEEP TO ME. THE VEHICLE IS JUST THE RIGHT SIZE FOR MY NEEDS AND I LIKE SITTING HIGHER IN THE CR-V AS OPPOSED IN A SEDAN THAT SITS LOWER.

NHTSA ODI #10722194

16,500 miles · May 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE CARS A/C CONDENSER WAS HIT BY A PEBBLE ON THE ROAD AND IT DAMAGED ONE OF THE VEINS. NEEDS TO REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE.

NHTSA ODI #10716703

6,100 miles · Feb 28, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CRV, FROM A COLD START AND 2 WARM STARTS, I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING ALSO WITH WARMS STARTS (2X THIS WEEK). CALLED HONDA DEALER , ROCHESTER NY WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. SPOKE TO A SENIOR SERVICE ADVIS…

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MORE THAN 5 TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CRV, FROM A COLD START AND 2 WARM STARTS, I GET A HARSH GRINDING 'METAL-ON-METAL' SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS HAPPENING ALSO WITH WARMS STARTS (2X THIS WEEK). CALLED HONDA DEALER , ROCHESTER NY WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 6 MONTHS AGO. SPOKE TO A SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR AND TOLD ME OUT RIGHT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM/DEFECT (HIS WORDS) AND HONDA IS WELL AWARE OF IT AND THERE IS NO FIX KNOWN. I ASKED FOR A DATE TO BRING MY 2014 CR-V IN AND WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO REASON TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND TO WAIT FOR THE COLD WEATHER TO GO AWAY. HE ALLOWED ME TO QUOTE HIM THAT "THERE IS NO PROBLEM, IT'S THE VTEC ACTUATOR, NOTHING TO FIX PER HONDA USA AND ASSURED ME THAT NO, NONE DAMAGE IS ACCRUING WHEN I HEAR THE GRINDING ENGINE START NOISE." HE SUGGESTED THAT I TURN THE KEY TO THE 'ON' POSITION FOR 20 SECONDS, TURN OFF THE KEY, AND RESTART THE CAR AND I SHOULD HAVE NO ISSUES. I TRIED THAT 2X TODAY 2/28/2015 AND STILL GOT THE SAME HARSH GRINDING NOISE. THE FACT THE DEALER WON'T EVEN LET ME MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHECK THIS CAR, AND WITH MUCH RESEARCH BY MYSELF, THERE IS 100'S OF THESE SAME REPORTS VIA GOOGLE, YOUTUBE VIDEOS WITH EXACT SOUNDS. I DEMAND THIS CAR TO BE FIXED, IT IS NOT STARTING CORRECTLY, AND I AM GETTING ZERO ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONDA DEALER HERE IN ROCHESTER, NY. BY THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO ME, THIS IS A KNOWN, ON-GOING DEFECT IN MANY HONDA ENGINES, AND WHEN I ASK MORE THAN 50+ PRE-SALE QUESTIONS, AT NO TIME WAS I GIVEN THIS INFORMATION UPFRONT. THE DEALER AND HONDA ARE SIMPLY HIDING A KNOWN PROBLEM AND ARE USING HORRID CUSTOMER SERVICE TACTICS TO GT AROUND IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691255

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2014
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED NEW 2014 HONDA CR-V ON 12/19/14. DURING THE PURCHASE THE SALES PERSON WAS SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) PROBLEM, WHICH PER THE NHTSA COMPLAINT PROCESS HAS EXISTED IN THE HONDA 2014 CR-V MODELS SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013. THE SALES PERSON WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. ASKED THE SALES …

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PURCHASED NEW 2014 HONDA CR-V ON 12/19/14. DURING THE PURCHASE THE SALES PERSON WAS SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) PROBLEM, WHICH PER THE NHTSA COMPLAINT PROCESS HAS EXISTED IN THE HONDA 2014 CR-V MODELS SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013. THE SALES PERSON WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. ASKED THE SALES PERSON TO VERIFY THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THE VEHICLE TO BE PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SEPTEMBER 2014. THE NEXT DAY (12/20/14) WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN SOME 25 MILES (THE ODOMETER READ 115 MILES WHEN PURCHASED). TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE 30 PSI PER SPECIFICATIONS. RESET THE TMPS FOLLOWING OWNER MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 12/22/14. A SOFTWARE PATCH (VERSION OHA240 DECEMBER 2014) WAS INSTALLED. HONDA CONTINUES TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT. PAST "FIXES" DO NOT SEEM ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. WHEN WILL SOMEONE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND SOLVE IT?

NHTSA ODI #10668003

6,700 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Unknown Or OtherFire

SPOUSE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES AND FLAMES SHOOT OUT OVER THE HOOD, IMMEDIATELY STOPS AND EXITS THE NEW CR-V IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. TWO MEN ARRIVE IMMEDIATELY WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE CAR BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. DAMAGE ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SMOKE DAMAGE IN THE CABIN AREA…

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SPOUSE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES AND FLAMES SHOOT OUT OVER THE HOOD, IMMEDIATELY STOPS AND EXITS THE NEW CR-V IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. TWO MEN ARRIVE IMMEDIATELY WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE CAR BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. DAMAGE ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SMOKE DAMAGE IN THE CABIN AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654938

1,800 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Unknown Or Other

THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT FREQUENTLY: AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ATTEMPT TO PROCEED AND STEP ON ACCELERATOR AND THERE IS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT AN IDLE PACE. THIS SITUATION MAY LAST FOR 20 SECONDS OR SO AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS AND T…

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THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT FREQUENTLY: AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ATTEMPT TO PROCEED AND STEP ON ACCELERATOR AND THERE IS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT AN IDLE PACE. THIS SITUATION MAY LAST FOR 20 SECONDS OR SO AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS AND THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS AS THE VEHICLE IS LIMITED TO MOVING AT A CRAWL PACE WHEN IT HAPPENS. IF MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, OR MAKING A TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, YOU ARE JUST OUT THERE MOVING AT A CRAWL AND COULD EASILY BE HIT BY OTHER CARS. LOOKING ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM I FIND 4 OTHER NEW HONDA CRV OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DEALER THINKS THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOW GONE 300 MILES WITHOUT EXPERIENCING THE LACK OF ACCELERATION. BUT ON THE CARCOMPLAINT.COM SITE, OTHER PEOPLE ARE JUST BEING TOLD "DEALER CAN NOT REPRODUCE" AND THEY ARE SENDING CUSTOMERS BACK OUT IN A CAR WITH A POTENTIAL DEADLY SITUATION. SOMEONE WILL BE MAIMED OR KILLED. THIS RANDOM AND SUDDEN LACK OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. ALL CARCOMPLAINT.COM PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM BOUGHT OR LEASED THEIR CARS IN MAY 2014 OR LATER. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED WHEN CARS ARE IN PRODUCTION. JUST ONE EXPERIENCE BY THE UNLUCKY OWNER OF ONE THE HONDA CRV'S WITH THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. LOOK AT THE CARCOMPLAINT.COM SITE AND SEARCH HONDA CRV ACCELERATION. CUSTOMERS ALL REPORT SAME PROBLEM. CUSTOMERS STATE "AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR". PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651366

1,000 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Unknown Or Other

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON INDICATING TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECT. WHEN I CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE IT IS CORRECT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651335

Official recalls

1

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.

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.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems