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2015 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 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

491 reports with mileage · 179 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 243 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports4 fire reports18 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

83 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2022
Electrical SystemSteering

The power steering light intermittently comes on and nearly locks the steering wheel. This occurs without warning while driving. Turning the vehicle off and on sometimes resolves the issue. This occurs without warning and makes steering very difficult. My mechanic confirmed the vehicle is showing a code for the power steeri…

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The power steering light intermittently comes on and nearly locks the steering wheel. This occurs without warning while driving. Turning the vehicle off and on sometimes resolves the issue. This occurs without warning and makes steering very difficult. My mechanic confirmed the vehicle is showing a code for the power steering system and said the only solution was to replace the electronic motor. The warning light does not come on until the steering wheel stiffens up. This has occurred many times at various speeds. There seems to be no pattern. Sometimes it does not happen for a week or two, other times it happens multiple times in a day.

NHTSA ODI #11496734

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Three times the vehicle would not start while at Walmart parking lot since over February 2020. I push the button to start and it wont start. The air condition/heater does not work since winter of 2021/2022. The electrical system has gone haywire twice. The lights on dashboard flash and the numbers roll all over since 2021. The…

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Three times the vehicle would not start while at Walmart parking lot since over February 2020. I push the button to start and it wont start. The air condition/heater does not work since winter of 2021/2022. The electrical system has gone haywire twice. The lights on dashboard flash and the numbers roll all over since 2021. The door locks are not wanting to lock now for the past 12 months. while I was inside the car the door would not unlock The engine seems to stall for the past 8 months. It feels like it is not getting gas. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer three times for the air with no positive results yet.

NHTSA ODI #11481650

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I noticed the car shook at first in park or at a light. I made Honda aware 1 month in at 25K miles and was told it was a common flaw with my year make and model and there was nothing to be done. It progressed over 1 year into vigarously shaking while in reverse. I was driving on the road and my car completely cut off on me witho…

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I noticed the car shook at first in park or at a light. I made Honda aware 1 month in at 25K miles and was told it was a common flaw with my year make and model and there was nothing to be done. It progressed over 1 year into vigarously shaking while in reverse. I was driving on the road and my car completely cut off on me without warning. It would restart, the ac blew hot, then cut back off. I was almost hit from behind while traffic kept going. I got out of the car for safety to have it towed to the Honda dealership. While off the tow, the car started back up again and went into drive. However, the check engine light was still on and the shaking was still ongoing. Honda told me they cleared the codes and could find nothing wrong. I made them keep the car. It has now been two week. After about 5 days they told me a list of the following problems: 1.engine harnes1.engine harness had s had corrosion due to coolant leakage 2.speed sensor and both transmission warmer coolant hoses with clamps needed repair 3. Transmission side mount 4. Evaporator canister vent shut valve stuck closed 5. front engine mount is collapsed My warranty company refused to repair issue #1 and #2 due to the corrosion. Honda charged me $1800 to repair the problem. The service manager mentioned in a phone call that my car was salvage while reading an email from his district manager. I can not find out if this is in fact true and the sold me a certified pre owned care under false pretenses. I want to make others aware.

NHTSA ODI #11464020

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

Starter motor failed at 40000 miles.Unable to start car on road at night. Dealer replaced $900.

NHTSA ODI #11444027

35,000 miles · Oct 22, 2021
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was appro…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11437784

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

In June 2016, my Honda CR-V 2015 broke down, lost all power, and stopped working in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to a Honda Dealership - Diamond Bar, CA. The Honda Mechanic diagnosed a P2138, did not solve the problem, and sent me home. The vehicle broke down once again, only for them to claim again that they co…

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In June 2016, my Honda CR-V 2015 broke down, lost all power, and stopped working in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to a Honda Dealership - Diamond Bar, CA. The Honda Mechanic diagnosed a P2138, did not solve the problem, and sent me home. The vehicle broke down once again, only for them to claim again that they could not recreate the problem. The vehicle had 12,000 miles on it at this time. I filed a complained with the NHTSA at this time. In September 2017, my Honda CR-V broke down again, lost all power, and stopped working in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to a Honda Dealership - Alhambra, CA. The Honda Mechanic diagnosed a P2647 and fixed the issue. The vehicle had 35,000 miles on it at this time. Now, in August 2021, my Honda CR-V broke down again, lost all power, and stopped working in the middle of the road. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic, where he diagnosed the car to have 4 OBII codes and recommended taking it to a Honda. I took it to a Honda Dealership - Buena Park, CA. The Honda Mechanic diagnosed a P2128 only, said they don't take recommendations from other mechanics, and replaced in the APP Sensor and gas pedal. The vehicle had 83,000 miles on it at this time. Only 1 week later, My Honda CR-V broke down again, lost all power, and stopped working in the middle of the road. My ODII code diagnosed the issue as a P2138 - the exact same code diagnosed and not fixed by Honda - Diamond Bar, CA back in 2016. When I called Honda Buena Park about the car breaking down again, they stated they will charge me another $150 diagnosis fee to look at it again. The above codes have the same issues over and over again, and I believe this vehicle should have a recall with no individual/franchise dealership willing to bite the bullet, looking to yank customer's chains to make the most amount of money for simple fixes. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11436067

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Car won’t start just clicks. Read that this could be related to an engine recall that I had fixed by Honda.

NHTSA ODI #11434624

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2021
Electrical System

*Draining new battery *Only 22,000 miles on this vehicle and have replaced Alternator, Fuses, Starter, 3 Batteries in 5 years of having this vehicle. Now its parked again cause electrical is making battery dead. *Manufacturer does not know what it can be. *No check engine code pops up. Please check for recall on my 2015 Honda C…

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*Draining new battery *Only 22,000 miles on this vehicle and have replaced Alternator, Fuses, Starter, 3 Batteries in 5 years of having this vehicle. Now its parked again cause electrical is making battery dead. *Manufacturer does not know what it can be. *No check engine code pops up. Please check for recall on my 2015 Honda CR-V. I have read there is a Lawsuit on this issue. Why isn't there a recall so my dealership can fix or replace. Wasting lots of money on this issue they can not find.

NHTSA ODI #11431724

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Electrical System

Purchased a 2015 CRV EX in 2018. Recently I've started having an issue where on the first or second attempts to start the car with the push button start, the car doesn't crank but clicks and only goes to Accessory mode. Generally the car will finally start after pushing the button 3-6 times. There have been situations where I wa…

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Purchased a 2015 CRV EX in 2018. Recently I've started having an issue where on the first or second attempts to start the car with the push button start, the car doesn't crank but clicks and only goes to Accessory mode. Generally the car will finally start after pushing the button 3-6 times. There have been situations where I was almost stranded in inclement weather conditions and unsafe surroundings. There is an existing class action law suit against Honda for CRV's 2017-2019 for: Parasitic Draw Defect. CRV's built PRIOR to 2017 were not recognized and recalled. According to this Honda class action lawsuit, the problem with the starter motor may be a lack of adequate clearance between the two gears where the starter motor connects to the engine. This lack of clearance can cause the starter motor to wear prematurely, preventing the vehicle from starting. I have changed the battery and the issue still persists. I have called my local Honda dealer and asked them to honor the recall but they stated that the 2015 CRV is not included in the recall even though the issues are identical to the those reported with the 2017-2019 CRV's. Other CRV owners have been experiencing the same issues: 2015 Intermittent Starting Issue forum - https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/2015-intermittent-starting-issue.202844/ 2015 CR-V Starting Issue forum - https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/2015-cr-v-starting-issue.212523/

NHTSA ODI #11427904

28,000 miles · Apr 26, 2021
Electrical System

I AM ON MY THIRD CAR BATTERY FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS OLD. I AM REPLACING THE BATTERIES EVERY 2-3 YEARS WHICH SEEMS A BIT RIDICULOUS. SO FAR, I AM OUT $330. I HAVE TRIED BOTH OEM AND NON-OEM BATTERIES, AND NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKI…

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I AM ON MY THIRD CAR BATTERY FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS OLD. I AM REPLACING THE BATTERIES EVERY 2-3 YEARS WHICH SEEMS A BIT RIDICULOUS. SO FAR, I AM OUT $330. I HAVE TRIED BOTH OEM AND NON-OEM BATTERIES, AND NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, I WAS STRANDED IN A STORE PARKING LOT. A FAMILY MEMBER CAME AND JUMP STARTED MY CAR, THEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME AS I DROVE TO THE DEALER TO GET THE BATTERY CHECKED AND THEN LATER TO AN AUTO STORE WHERE I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE GUY THAT REPLACED MY BATTERY SAID HE HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH HIS CRV. THE SECOND TIME (ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT), WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR AFTER DRIVING TO A STORE, THE CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING AND WHEN IT FINALLY TURNED OVER, MY DASHBOARD WAS LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AWD, VSA, LOW TIRE PRESSURE, AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE, AND SEEING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR HONDA CRVS, I KNEW THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE BATTERY. THE PLACE I WENT TO CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SURE ENOUGH, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I TRIED CALLING HONDA TO ASK ABOUT IT, BUT THEY DENIED THAT IT WAS EVEN AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS RECENTLY FILED FOR 2017-2019 HONDA CRVS. ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE LIKELY GOES BACK MUCH FURTHER, THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS PREVENTED EARLIER MODELS FROM BEING INCLUDED. THIS IS LIKELY A HONDA ISSUE, WHERE SOMETHING WAS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE WITHOUT A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING BATTERY, IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES MIGHT FAIL. THE DRIVER IS ALSO AT RISK OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. MY CAR HAS HAD INTERMITTENT RANDOM TROUBLE STARTING THE WHOLE TIME I'VE HAD IT. (THERE'S NO PATTERN TO IT).

NHTSA ODI #11414029

Official recalls

3

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.

17V305000 · Engine

May 4, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Honda CR-V vehicles that recently received a replacement engine. The replacement engine may have been built with the wrong pistons, potentially affecting the engine's performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The reduced performance may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace the incorrect components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF6.

15V121000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Mar 2, 2015

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JP2 (for Accord models) and JP3 (for CR-V models).

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