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2012 Honda Odyssey

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Odyssey do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 249.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

187 reports with mileage · 57 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports19 injury reports

Seats complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2020
Seats

IN TWO DIFFERENT OCCATIONS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A MOTION THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUDDENLY GO DOWN AND THE MOUNT PLASTIC COVER GET DISASSEMBLE. IT IS A SECURITY PROBLEM. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. IT IS A SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ODI #11339198

56,000 miles · Feb 27, 2020
SeatsWheels

PURCHASED 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 49K MILES, LOOKED LIKE NEW INSIDE AND OUT, DEALERSHIP PREPPED VEHICLE, INCLUDING NEW TIRES, A FEW MINOR REPAIRS WERE NEEDED, REQUESTED EVERYTHING BE GONE OVER, VEHICLE SAFETY WAS A PRIORITY. I GAVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL MONTH TO ORDER PARTS AND TO TAKE THEIR TIME TO MAKE SURE ALL WAS COMPLETED PROP…

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PURCHASED 2012 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 49K MILES, LOOKED LIKE NEW INSIDE AND OUT, DEALERSHIP PREPPED VEHICLE, INCLUDING NEW TIRES, A FEW MINOR REPAIRS WERE NEEDED, REQUESTED EVERYTHING BE GONE OVER, VEHICLE SAFETY WAS A PRIORITY. I GAVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL MONTH TO ORDER PARTS AND TO TAKE THEIR TIME TO MAKE SURE ALL WAS COMPLETED PROPERLY. DISCOVERED THE NEW ALL SEASON TIRES WERE REALLY DEDICATED MICHELIN WINTER TIRES AS I AM DRIVING ALL SUMMER, HIGHWAY INTERSTATE. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE CORRODED, LEAKING TPMS SENOR/VALVE STEMS, THEY LEFT THE ORIGINAL ONES IN. WHILE ON AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO DISCOVERED THE(2) SAFETY LATCH RECALLS FROM HONDA WERE STILL OPEN AS I AM DRIVING MY KIDS AND OTHER STUDENTS IN OUR VAN. THE DEALERSHIP SALESMAN ENSURED ME ALL WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS HE HAD CHILDREN HIMSELF. HE WAS SENDING THE VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR THE KEY CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. TURNS OUT THE VEHICLE HAD 3 OPEN RECALLS. NON REPAIRED AND THEY ASSURED ME THEY HAD BEEN FIXED. THEY MARKETED THE VAN AS A LOCAL TRADE IN, LATER TO FIND OUT THE DEALERSHIP PURCHASED THE VAN AT AN OUT OF STATE AUCTION. I HAD TO PUT NEW ALL SEASON TIRES ON AND REPLACED THE LEAKING TPMS UNITS, THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUES AS I HAD REPAIRS COMPLETED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU REIMBURSED ME FOR THE SMALL REPAIRS, BUT REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TIRES OR TPMS UNITS, DISMISSING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THERE IS NO LOVE OR SAFETY AT THIS SUBARU DEALERSHIP . ALL DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL COMPLAINT. A BIG QUESTION IS ABOUT THE VEHICLES HISTORY FROM AN AUCTION AND WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN COVERED UP AND NOT DISCLOSED.

NHTSA ODI #11311878

50,000 miles · Jan 15, 2020
SeatsInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME SO I HAD TO QUICKLY HIT MY BREAKS TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT WITH THE OTHER CAR BUT IN THE PROCESS THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY FLIPPED DOWN THEN FLEW FORWARD RAMMING THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND MY BACK VERY HARD. LUCKILY…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME SO I HAD TO QUICKLY HIT MY BREAKS TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT WITH THE OTHER CAR BUT IN THE PROCESS THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY FLIPPED DOWN THEN FLEW FORWARD RAMMING THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND MY BACK VERY HARD. LUCKILY MY SON WAS SITTING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VAN AND WAS NOT SITTING IN THAT SEAT. BUT THE SEAT KEPT SLAMMING BACK AND FORTH INTO MY BACK UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER TO LATCH THE SEAT BACK INTO PLACE. I HAVE TRIED CALLING MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT HAVING MY SEATS CHECKED OUT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT HELP ME. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO RECALLS ON THE 2ND PASSENGER ROW OF MY HONDA ODYSSEY. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH THE NEW INFORMATION ON THE RECALLS, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUES WITH MY SEATS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE BUT MY LOWER BACK HAS BEEN HURTING EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED BUT IM WORRIED IF I KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SEAT SHOULD UNLOCK AGAIN THEN IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE ME/MY BACK EVEN MORE OR WORSE CAUSE ME TO WRECK.

NHTSA ODI #11299653

145,588 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Seats

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS EJECTING FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND IS RECLINING ON IT'S OWN WHEN BREAKING OR GOING FORWARD. BOTH ON CITY & HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR CUT HIM OFF AND OUR 8 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD AND S…

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PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS EJECTING FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND IS RECLINING ON IT'S OWN WHEN BREAKING OR GOING FORWARD. BOTH ON CITY & HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED FIRST ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR CUT HIM OFF AND OUR 8 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS AND THE SEAT RECLINED AND WOULD NOT STAY IN POSITION. THE SEAT CAME OFF THE FLOOR BOARD BRACKETS WHICH ARE SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS . ALSO IN ONE PHOTO YOU WILL SEE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE SMALLER SEAT IN THE MIDDLE HOW FAR IT CAME OFF THE BRACKETS.

NHTSA ODI #11089611

55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2018
Seats

THE BACK SEAT INVOLUNTARILY MOVES FORWARD WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11066787

38,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Seats

THERE IS A RECALL FOR SECOND ROW BUT IT IS THIRD ROW THAT DOES NOT CLAMP DOWN AND IS LOSE. IT TOOK ME 2 HOURS TO WIGGLE INTO CLAMP POSITION AS IT WAS NOT SAFE. IF I UNCLAMP, IT WILL NOT CLAMP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11058336

38,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Seats

THE VAN HAS ABOUT 38000 MILES. THE THIRD ROW SEAT DOES NOT HOOK IN CLAMP AND IS LOSE. IT IS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS STATIONARY POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #11058334

59,535 miles · Nov 20, 2017
SeatsInjury

2ND ROW SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD DURING MODERATELY HARD BRAKING, INJURING MY CHILD WITH A BUSTED LIP AND SCRATCHES. SHE WAS 6 YRS OLD AND SECURED IN A 5 PT HARNESS CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT WAS SECURED INTO THIS 2ND ROW SEAT. THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD WITH HER IN IT CAUSING HER TO STRIKE THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE SEAT…

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2ND ROW SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD DURING MODERATELY HARD BRAKING, INJURING MY CHILD WITH A BUSTED LIP AND SCRATCHES. SHE WAS 6 YRS OLD AND SECURED IN A 5 PT HARNESS CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT WAS SECURED INTO THIS 2ND ROW SEAT. THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD WITH HER IN IT CAUSING HER TO STRIKE THE BACK OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE SEAT CAN BE MANUAL UNLATCHED FOR REMOVAL AND TO SLIDE IT SIDEWAYS, WHICH WE HAD DONE. APPARENTLY IT NEVER LATCHED BACK PROPERLY, BUT IT APPEARED TO BE FULLY LATCHED. WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 35 AND 40MPH WHEN WE HAD TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE SEAT FLIPPED FORWARD. IT WAS IN AMARILLO TX ON A CITY STREET WHEN A SHORT GREEN LIGHT QUICKLY CYCLED TO YELLOW, THEN RED. THIS EVENT HAPPENED JUNE 27, 2015. WE NOW "CHECK" AND MAKE SURE BOTH KID'S SEATS ARE LATCHED (THE BEST WE CAN) BY PULLING FORWARD, WITH HEAVY FORCE, ON THE SEATS WHEN BUCKLING KIDS IN THOSE SEATS. THERE APPEARS TO NOW BE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE LATCH MECHANISM WHEN PERFORMING THIS "CHECK" THAT I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH. I FEEL THESE SEATS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND ARE NOT SAFE. THESE SEATS USED TO SECURE TO THE VEHICLE TIGHTLY, BUT NOW THERE IS EXCESSIVE "PLAY" AND LOTS OF "COMPLIANCE" IN THE SEAT FASTENING SYSTEM THAT SECURES IT TO THE VEHICLE. I'M NOT CONFIDENT, EVEN AFTER MY TRIPLE CHECKING IT EVERY TIME, THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11047365

70,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017
SeatsInjury

2ND ROW SEAT SWUNG FORWARD SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKED AT A STOPLIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT RECALL OF HONDA ODYSSEYS. MY DAUGHTER RAMMED HER CHIN AGAINST THE FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10967534

7,000 miles · Jan 10, 2017
Seats

I'M SUBMITTING THIS NOW IN RESPONSE TO AN EVENT THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, TRIGGERED BY A DEC. 27 2017 RECALL NOTICE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS AFFECTED BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. ON THAT DAY, A SECOND ROW OUTBOARD SEAT TIPPED FORWARD AND BANGED AGAINST THE BA…

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I'M SUBMITTING THIS NOW IN RESPONSE TO AN EVENT THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, TRIGGERED BY A DEC. 27 2017 RECALL NOTICE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS AFFECTED BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. ON THAT DAY, A SECOND ROW OUTBOARD SEAT TIPPED FORWARD AND BANGED AGAINST THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT DURING A SUDDEN DECELERATION (WE WERE GOING DOWN A SMALL HILL TOWARD A STOPLIGHT, WHERE A VEHICLE APPEARED IN CROSS-TRAFFIC AND UNEXPECTEDLY BLEW THROUGH ITS RED LIGHT, REQUIRING A SUDDEN STOP BY OUR VEHICLE). MY THEN-3-YEAR-OLD WAS SEATED IN HIS FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT, A BRITAX MARATHON CONNECTED USING THE LATCH ANCHOR SYSTEM, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SEAT/CAR SEAT COMBINATION FLIPPED FORWARD. HE WAS SHAKEN AND SLIGHTLY BRUISED BUT OTHERWISE FINE, I BELIEVE AS A RESULT OF THE PROTECTION FROM THE SIDE WINGS OF THE CAR SEAT. AT THE TIME THE SECOND ROW SEATS HAD NOT RECENTLY BEEN MOVED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR THEY HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR HAULING A LARGE PIECE OF FURNITURE. AFTERWARD I REINSTALLED THE VEHICLE SEATS AND BELIEVED THEM TO BE FULLY AND FIRMLY AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED BY NOT ONLY THE TIPPING EVENT ITSELF, BUT BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT HAD BEEN DANGEROUSLY UNATTACHED DURING THOSE TWO WEEKS. I INTENDED TO SUBMIT A REPORT BUT THEN DOUBTED MYSELF. HOWEVER, THE CONFIRMATION FROM THE RECENT RECALL NOTICE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR SOME HONDA ODYSSEY VEHICLES (AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A REPAIR AVAILABLE) IMMEDIATELY MADE ME WANT TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT.

NHTSA ODI #10944053

Official recalls

5

17V725000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Nov 17, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.

16V933000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Dec 27, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent . Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD5.

13V143000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

13V016000 · Air Bags

Jan 18, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

11V602000 · Suspension:front

Dec 22, 2011

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012, ODYSSEY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 31, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2011. THE RETENTION NUT FOR THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION DAMPER BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE NUT LOOSENS, THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WOULD ONLY BE ATTACHED BY ONE BOLT, ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SHIFT TO AN EXTREME INWARD ANGLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: HONDA CONTACTED ALL NINE OWNERS BY PHONE ON DECEMBER 19, 2011, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

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

1

DP26005 · Inadvertent Deployment Of Air Bags

Opened Jul 13, 2026 · No close date supplied

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

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.

Air Bags

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleges that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. The Petitioner cites 10 complaints received by ODI alleging the same failure. ODI will evaluate these complaints to determine if they are related to the failure cited in the Petition andconduct a technical review under 49 CFR Part 552. This Defect Petition is being opened to evaluate whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11744118.