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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

670 reports
22,000 miles · May 1, 2018
EngineCrashInjury

MY CAR STALLED, IT HAD STALLED BEFORE. I MEANT TO GO IN AND HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT BUT I DID NOT DO THAT. ON APRIL 10 2018 I WENT TO PULL OUT ON HWY 78, FROM MY ROAD WEEKEND VILLA, MY CAR STALLED, AND I WAS HIT HEAD-ON AND PUT IN THE HOSPITAL. I DID NOT REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THE STALLING WOULD BE. MY SON-IN-LAW FOUND THI…

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MY CAR STALLED, IT HAD STALLED BEFORE. I MEANT TO GO IN AND HAVE THE DEALER LOOK AT IT BUT I DID NOT DO THAT. ON APRIL 10 2018 I WENT TO PULL OUT ON HWY 78, FROM MY ROAD WEEKEND VILLA, MY CAR STALLED, AND I WAS HIT HEAD-ON AND PUT IN THE HOSPITAL. I DID NOT REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THE STALLING WOULD BE. MY SON-IN-LAW FOUND THIS NOTICE ON THE INTERNET, HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/URL?SA=T&SOURCE=WEB&RCT=J&URL=HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/2015-HONDA-CR-V-2014-15-ACCORD-RECALLED-TO-REPLACE-ENGINE-SHORT-BLOCK.HTML&VED=0AHUKEWJEQCTJTOPAAHWMTD8KHCV5DFGQFGHDMAI&USG=AOVVAW1UCHDCC3FCDT0TG60SVR0L,2015 HONDA CR-V, 2014-'15 ACCORD RECALLED TO REPLACE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK PUBLISHED: 03/10/2015 - BY [XXX], CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON ? AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. IS RECALLING 137 2014-'15 HONDA ACCORD CARS WITH A FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE AND 2015 HONDA CR-V SUVS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. "THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY TORQUED CONNECTING ROD BOLTS, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER OR LEAK OIL," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY. "LOSS OF ENGINE POWER MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED THROUGH A "WARRANTY CLAIM REVIEW PROCESS," HONDA SAID. THE AFFECTED 2014 ACCORDS WERE BUILT FROM JULY 29, 2014 TO JULY 31, 2014, WHILE THE 2015 ACCORDS WERE BUILT FROM AUGUST 14, 2014 TO JANUARY 30, 2015. THE AFFECTED CR-VS WERE BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 TO FEBRUARY 6, 2015. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-234-2138. SO I CHECKED HERE AND FOUND NO RECALL. WILL YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME? SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11091268

36,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018
EnginePower TrainWheels

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2015 HONDA CR-V: 1. LUG NUT CORROSION: I HAVE HAD SEVERAL LUG NUTS REPLACED DUE TO VISUAL CORROSION AROUND THE WELDED TOP TO SIDE AREA OF THE NUT. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY @ 36,000 MILES. 2. ENGINE / TRANSMISSION VIBRATION: LOW SPEED VIBRATION, I CAN VISIBLY SEE THE PASSENGER SE…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2015 HONDA CR-V: 1. LUG NUT CORROSION: I HAVE HAD SEVERAL LUG NUTS REPLACED DUE TO VISUAL CORROSION AROUND THE WELDED TOP TO SIDE AREA OF THE NUT. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY @ 36,000 MILES. 2. ENGINE / TRANSMISSION VIBRATION: LOW SPEED VIBRATION, I CAN VISIBLY SEE THE PASSENGER SEAT VIBRATE. HIGH SPEED VIBRATION ~ 70MPH, THIS IS FELT THROUGH THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. REAR HATCH VIBRATION (BOOMING) ~ 55 - 60 MPH. THE DEALER HAS INSTALLED COUNTERMEASURE PARTS @ 36,000 MILES, BUT THE VIBRATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11090968

43,000 miles · Apr 22, 2018
Engine

CAR HAS A RIDICULOUS SHAKE ON IDLE, LITERALLY FEELS AS IF THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE GOING ON OUTSIDE, I FOUND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT SOMEHOW HONDA IS GETTING AWAY WITH IT AND EVERYONE IN MOST BLOGS I'VE FOUND WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE ARE STILL WAITING FOR HELP / POSSIBLE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HONDA.…

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CAR HAS A RIDICULOUS SHAKE ON IDLE, LITERALLY FEELS AS IF THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE GOING ON OUTSIDE, I FOUND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT SOMEHOW HONDA IS GETTING AWAY WITH IT AND EVERYONE IN MOST BLOGS I'VE FOUND WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE ARE STILL WAITING FOR HELP / POSSIBLE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HONDA. I REALLY HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP US ALL OUT AS IT'S A HORRIBLE FEELING TO BUY A CAR THEN HAVE IT DO THIS TO YOU... I FEEL STUCK. I FEEL SAD & BAD & DEPRESSED. I AM KEEPING MYSELF BUSY BY RANTING ALL OVER THE INTERNET BUT I WOULD STRONGLY APPRECIATE SOME HELP FOR THIS UNJUST ISSUE THAT HONDA IS APPARENTLY IGNORING AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #11089323

8,000 miles · Apr 20, 2018
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11089166

19,262 miles · Apr 6, 2018
Service Brakes

REAR ROTORS RUSTED, SCORED AND PADS FROZEN IN THE CALIPER. $200 TO FIX. INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND FOUND A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HONDA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT. CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED, HAS AVERAGE MILEAGE AND AVERAGE VERMONT CONDITIONS. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WITH REAR DISCS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, NOR …

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REAR ROTORS RUSTED, SCORED AND PADS FROZEN IN THE CALIPER. $200 TO FIX. INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND FOUND A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HONDA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT. CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED, HAS AVERAGE MILEAGE AND AVERAGE VERMONT CONDITIONS. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WITH REAR DISCS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, NOR HAVE FRIENDS I HAVE TALKED TO. HONDA ATTRIBUTES THE RUST TO MOTHER NATURE AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSION IS THAT IT IS NOT WHERE I LIVE, RATHER THE QUALITY OF THE PARTS. IN OTHER WORDS "DEFECTIVE". TROUBLE IS HONDA KNOWS IT AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEM. AND THE ANSWER IS TO REPLACE POOR QUALITY PARTS WITH NEW POOR QUALITY PARTS? NICE RACKET AS LONG AS THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. AM LOOKING TO REPLACE PARTS MYSELF WITH QUALITY AFTER MARKET PARTS AT A MECHANIC'S SUGGESTION. WILL KNOW THE JOB IS DONE RIGHT THAT WAY. AFTER ALL BRAKES, EVEN THE REARS, ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF ANY CAR. IF IT WAS JUST MY CRV I COULD LIVE WITH THAT. PROBLEM IS IT'S MOST LIKELY EVERY ONE SOLD IN VERMONT. I'M CURRENTLY DEALING WITH HONDA CORPORATE ABOUT THIS. GETTING THE RUN AROUND AS I WAS TOLD I WOULD. AFTER ALL, BRAKE FAILURE WITH AVERAGE MILES AND UNDER WARRANTY AND IT'S MY FAULT THEY RUSTED IN PLACE? AT 63 YEARS OLD ALL I CAN SAY IS "JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL.............YOU HAVEN'T."

NHTSA ODI #11083626

49,475 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE IDLE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS, BUT WHEN I TOOK TO THEM FOR A CHECK-UP, THEY STATED "FOUND NO ISSUES AT THIS TIME". I WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

NHTSA ODI #11082597

36,000 miles · Apr 1, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS A VIBRATION AT LOW SPEED. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR HAS LOUD NOISE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAS A POPPING SOUND. VIBRATION IS AT LOW SPEED ON CITY STREETS. THE POPPING SOUND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #11082354

31,500 miles · Mar 17, 2018
Power Train

I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED 2015 HONDA CR-V FROM A DEALER. WITHIN TWO DAYS I NOTICED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND OUT IT'S A HONDA KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THEY ISSUE A BANDAID FIX (TSB 15-046) OF NEW ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS AND HEADRESTS BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX THE VIBRATION ISSUE. HONDA KNOWS …

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I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED 2015 HONDA CR-V FROM A DEALER. WITHIN TWO DAYS I NOTICED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND OUT IT'S A HONDA KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. THEY ISSUE A BANDAID FIX (TSB 15-046) OF NEW ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKETS AND HEADRESTS BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX THE VIBRATION ISSUE. HONDA KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR ADMIT THE DESIGN FLAW AND FIX OR REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT HAVE BEEN LOGGED IN. UNTIL HONDA OWNS THE ISSUE AND FIXES IT, I'M STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11079991

25,000 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST AS THE FRONT WHEELS WERE ABOUT TO TOUCH THE CURB THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AT HIGH RPMS, JUMPING THE CEMENT CURB AND RUNNING OVER ABOUT 40 FEET OF SIDEWALK, TAKING DOWN 2 HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGNS. THE ENGINE RACED UNTIL THE CAR WAS THROWN INTO PARK AND TURNED O…

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WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST AS THE FRONT WHEELS WERE ABOUT TO TOUCH THE CURB THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AT HIGH RPMS, JUMPING THE CEMENT CURB AND RUNNING OVER ABOUT 40 FEET OF SIDEWALK, TAKING DOWN 2 HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGNS. THE ENGINE RACED UNTIL THE CAR WAS THROWN INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11079880

2,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THIS CAR HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN BREAK IS APPLIED. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO SOFTWARE PROBLEM, WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY WAY OF RECALL. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE SOFTWARE RECALL SERVICES, THE CAR IS STILL HAVING A VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN BREAK IS APPLIED AT STATIONARY. THIS RATTLING PROBLEM IS VERY NOTICE…

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THIS CAR HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN BREAK IS APPLIED. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO SOFTWARE PROBLEM, WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY WAY OF RECALL. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE SOFTWARE RECALL SERVICES, THE CAR IS STILL HAVING A VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN BREAK IS APPLIED AT STATIONARY. THIS RATTLING PROBLEM IS VERY NOTICEABLE SINCE A WATER BOTTLE IN THE CAR CAN SHOW HOW THAT BAD THE RATTLING PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA ODI #11076908

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.

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