STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE CAR HAS MORE VIBRATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT LIGHTS ETC.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CR-V years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
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.
What owners actually said
670 reportsVEHICLE VIBRATES DURING MILD ACCELERATION IN THE 2000RPM AREA. STEERING WHEEL VISIBLY SHAKES. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND SPOKEN TO AMERICAN HONDA. AT FIRST, THEY SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE ISSUE YET. NOW THEY SEEM TO HAVE SHIFTED THEIR RESPONSE TO "THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC". IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE…
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VEHICLE VIBRATES DURING MILD ACCELERATION IN THE 2000RPM AREA. STEERING WHEEL VISIBLY SHAKES. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND SPOKEN TO AMERICAN HONDA. AT FIRST, THEY SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE ISSUE YET. NOW THEY SEEM TO HAVE SHIFTED THEIR RESPONSE TO "THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC". IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM FOR A $32000 CAR. I CAN IMAGINE THE DEPRECIATION FROM THIS WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL. I ASKED AMERICAN HONDA FOR MY MONEY BACK AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND DOESN'T AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE.
WEIRD VIBRATIONS AT RPM SPEED OF 1000-2000. FEELS LIKE THE DRIVE-LINE, TRANSMISSION OR WHO KNOWS WHAT IS VIBRATING. VERY ANNOYING IN A BRAND NEW HONDA CRV $32000 CAR!! NO SOLUTION FROM DEALER OR HONDA.
I WAS DRIVING AND EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT A RED-LIGHT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE SO MUCH THE SEAT NEXT TO ME WOULD VISIBLY SHAKE. I ALSO FELT MY SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE A LOT. NOT JUST TO THE EXTENT THAT A NORMAL VEHICLE WOULD, BUT A LOT! I LITERALLY FELT THE VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT MY BODY. THIS IS …
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I WAS DRIVING AND EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT A RED-LIGHT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE SO MUCH THE SEAT NEXT TO ME WOULD VISIBLY SHAKE. I ALSO FELT MY SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE A LOT. NOT JUST TO THE EXTENT THAT A NORMAL VEHICLE WOULD, BUT A LOT! I LITERALLY FELT THE VIBRATIONS THROUGHOUT MY BODY. THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2015 HONDA CRV EX AND IS NOT AT ALL NORMAL. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY HONDAS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE DONE THIS. EVEN MY 13 YEAR OLD HONDA PILOT DOES NOT DO THIS.
MY 2015 CRV HAS A CONSISTENT SHUDDER AND VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT 1000 RPM'S AND 2000 RPM'S. THIS VIBRATION IS VERY DISTRACTING AND CAUSES FATIGUE DURING LONGER TRIPS. ALSO SEVERE VIBRATIONS AT THE IDLE, AROUND 600 RPM'S WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS…
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MY 2015 CRV HAS A CONSISTENT SHUDDER AND VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT 1000 RPM'S AND 2000 RPM'S. THIS VIBRATION IS VERY DISTRACTING AND CAUSES FATIGUE DURING LONGER TRIPS. ALSO SEVERE VIBRATIONS AT THE IDLE, AROUND 600 RPM'S WHEN STOPPED AT STOP LIGHTS OR IN TRAFFIC. THE VIBRATION MAKES THE CAR EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE FOR THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER.
THE VIBRATION, AND AT TIMES SHAKING, OF THE SEATS OF MY 2015 HONDA CRV IS SO SEVERE THAT IT CAUSES NAUSEA, MIGRAINES, AND BACK PAIN. I MYSELF HAVE A HERNIATED DISK WITH NERVE COMPRESSION, A CONDITION THAT IS SERIOUSLY AGGRAVATED BY THE VIBRATION/SHAKING. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA TO NO AVAIL. THAT HONDA, OR A…
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THE VIBRATION, AND AT TIMES SHAKING, OF THE SEATS OF MY 2015 HONDA CRV IS SO SEVERE THAT IT CAUSES NAUSEA, MIGRAINES, AND BACK PAIN. I MYSELF HAVE A HERNIATED DISK WITH NERVE COMPRESSION, A CONDITION THAT IS SERIOUSLY AGGRAVATED BY THE VIBRATION/SHAKING. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA TO NO AVAIL. THAT HONDA, OR ANY CORPORATION FOR THAT MATTER, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HARM CONSUMERS IN THIS WAY IS DESPICABLE.
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW WITH 6 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AFTER A WEEK TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING THAT VIBRATING / SHAKING FEELING WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE OR AT A RED LIGHT , CAR SHAKES A LOT AND CAN REALLY FOCUS ON THE STEERING WHEEL , DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SUPPOSE MY SALES …
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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW WITH 6 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AFTER A WEEK TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING THAT VIBRATING / SHAKING FEELING WHEN THE CAR IS IN IDLE OR AT A RED LIGHT , CAR SHAKES A LOT AND CAN REALLY FOCUS ON THE STEERING WHEEL , DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SUPPOSE MY SALES PERSON THAT BEEN WORKING THERE FOR 15 YEARS DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE SERVICE MAN SAID THAT HONDA IS WORKING ON A SOFTWARE , THIS IS A $30K CAR I ASKED FOR EXCHANGED THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO SUCH A THING LIKE THIS ,, MY QUESTION IS WHEN HONDA IS GOING TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT COULD FIX THIS ISSUE ,, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON VACATION BECAUSE IT FEELS THAT ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BREAK A PART WE NEED AN ANSWER WE NEED SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS NOT JUST WE ARE AWARE OF IT AND THAT'S IT ,, THAT DON'T HELP THESE DAYS. *TR
BOUGHT THE 2015 HONDA CR-V AND IT HAS A PROBLEM OF VIBRATION WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE ON. WHEN IT IDLES THE VIBRATION IS QUITE OBVIOUS - PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT STOPS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND SAID HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A FIX. …
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BOUGHT THE 2015 HONDA CR-V AND IT HAS A PROBLEM OF VIBRATION WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE ON. WHEN IT IDLES THE VIBRATION IS QUITE OBVIOUS - PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT STOPS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND SAID HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A FIX. I DO HOPE IT IS SOON AS I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITH A BRAND NEW CAR. SOMETIMES ALSO NOTICE THE ENGINE REVS UP WHEN GOING DOWNHILL - VERY DISAPPOINTED AND I WOULD LIKE TO A FIX TO THESE PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE IN PARK, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK, COLON, AND STOMACH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HONDA CR-V. WHILE IN PARK, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK, COLON, AND STOMACH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. MA 10/1 UPDATED 10/12/2017*CN
CAR HAS A BAD VIBRATION AND SHUTTERING WHILE IDLING AND AT AROUND 60 MPH. IT SHAKES AND CAN BE NAUSEATING AT TIMES. PAID OVER 30,000 FOR A CAR THAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND MAKES ME SICK. I DON'T FEEL SAFE!!! HONDA DEALER SAYS IN A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR. SOMETHING IS DEFIANTLY WRONG!!! *TR
Official recalls
323V858000 · 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
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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