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2007 Infiniti M35

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most M35 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Infiniti M35 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 60.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

90 reports with mileage · 65 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Seats complaints

40 reports
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70,132 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Seats

A WELD BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BASE, THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO LEAN TOWARDS THE CONSOLE AND AS THE SEAT WAS RAISED IT GOT WORSE. ALSO WHEN YOU GRABBED THE HEAD REST AND PUSHED IT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR THE SEAL WOULD THEN LIFT UP. I BOUGHT A NEW SEAT BASE ( $ 1,000.00 + TAXES ) AND HAVE REPLACED THE BASE. I CANNOT SAY EXAC…

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A WELD BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BASE, THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO LEAN TOWARDS THE CONSOLE AND AS THE SEAT WAS RAISED IT GOT WORSE. ALSO WHEN YOU GRABBED THE HEAD REST AND PUSHED IT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR THE SEAL WOULD THEN LIFT UP. I BOUGHT A NEW SEAT BASE ( $ 1,000.00 + TAXES ) AND HAVE REPLACED THE BASE. I CANNOT SAY EXACTLY WHEN IT HAPPENED AS I LEFT THE CAR WITH MY BROTHER IN-LAW TO DRIVE WHILE I WAS ON HOLIDAYS AND NOTICED THE SEAT WAS SITTING CROOKED WHEN HE PICKED ME UP FROM THE AIRPORT. THE CAR HAS 70,132 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10916695

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2016
SeatsInjury

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH JUST UNDER 53K MILEAGE, 1 OWNER AND SEEMED TO BE WELL KEPTED. WELL OF COURSE AFTER DRIVING THIS 2007 M35X (W/ BOSE & CLIMATE CONTROL WITH MEMORY CONTROL) AROUND, I NOTICED TO BE ADJUSTING MY BACK & BOTTOM MORE & MORE TO GET A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHILE DRIVING... WELL, COME TO FIND OUT, THE ENT…

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JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH JUST UNDER 53K MILEAGE, 1 OWNER AND SEEMED TO BE WELL KEPTED. WELL OF COURSE AFTER DRIVING THIS 2007 M35X (W/ BOSE & CLIMATE CONTROL WITH MEMORY CONTROL) AROUND, I NOTICED TO BE ADJUSTING MY BACK & BOTTOM MORE & MORE TO GET A COMFORTABLE POSITION WHILE DRIVING... WELL, COME TO FIND OUT, THE ENTIRE SEAT (MAINLY IT'S THE BOTTOM, BACK RIGHT) IS LEANING INTO THE CENTER CONSOLE! I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE DA*M THING FOR MORE THEN A FEW MINUTES BEFORE MY RIGHT BUTTCHEEK, SCIATIC NERVE AND LOWER RIGHT BACK START TO REALLY REALLY HURT AND ACHE! TO THE POINT WHERE I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE! ALSO, SEAT MOVES BACK N FORTH WHEN STOPPING/GOING! I CONTACTED DEALER WHERE PURCHASED (INFINITI OF SCOTTSDALE) & IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANY HELP UNLESS I PROBABLY FORK OVER 100S OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY! SALESMAN BLAMES IT ON BEING 9-10YR OLD CAR (I GUESS HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN USED VEHICLES BUT WILL SELL THEM? NOR BELIEVES IN AN INFINITI PRODUCT WHERE HE WORKS!) I OFFERED FOR HIM TO DRIVE IT FOR 30MIN AND SEE HOW HIS BACK AND A$$ FEELS AFTER! (HAD NO REPLY). THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS A HEALTH ISSUE ALSO! HOW CAN THE INFINITI MANUFACTURER DENY SO MANY COMPLAINTS WHEN THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL!? I CAN'T WAIT TIL I GET THIS ISSIE RESOLVED/FIXED BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A DECENT CAR! OTHER THAN THIS VERY BIG ISSUE WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT SPOT IN THE ENTIRE CAR! THE DRIVER SEAT! IT'S ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE THAT AFTER READING UP ON HERE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM/ISSUE! DON'T BE AFRAID, POST A CLAIM IF THIS HAS HAPPENED OR IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE NOW! PLEASE! THIS NEEDS TO CATCH THERE ATTENTION! MAYBE I SHOULD SEND A CHIROPRACTOR & SURGERY BILL FOR THOUSANDS OF $$ BECAUSE THIS SEAT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME BIG BACK/THIGH/LEG PROBLEMS AS ITS ALREADY DOING! WILL TRY TO UPLOAD PICS

NHTSA ODI #10855628

73,400 miles · Feb 20, 2016
Seats

WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM 6 FT. 1 IN. TALL. IT IS MY OPINION SOMEONE 5 FT. 8 IN. TALL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE OVER THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE INFINITI DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN LOWE…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A PARKWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM 6 FT. 1 IN. TALL. IT IS MY OPINION SOMEONE 5 FT. 8 IN. TALL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE OVER THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE INFINITI DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN LOWER SEAT TRACK WELD WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE VEHICLE OWNERS COST OF $1,519. IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 25 PREVIOUS REPORTS OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND PERHAPS MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD WARRANT A MANUFACTURERS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10837313

100,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Seats

AT APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AND LEANS INTO AND BINDS WITH THE CONSOLE. THERE WAS NOTHING BUT NORMAL USE AND JUDGING FROM OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NO LONGER STABLE OR SAFE BECAUSE IT CAN BE EASILY MOVED AROUND BY HAND. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL …

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AT APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AND LEANS INTO AND BINDS WITH THE CONSOLE. THERE WAS NOTHING BUT NORMAL USE AND JUDGING FROM OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS NO LONGER STABLE OR SAFE BECAUSE IT CAN BE EASILY MOVED AROUND BY HAND. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10816761

117,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT FRACTURED OFF THE TRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811385

120,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Seats

MY M35 (2007) DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY IS "OFF TRACK". IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S STILL IN THE FLOOR TRACKS, BUT IT HAS MOVED ABOUT 3 INCHES TO THE RIGHT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT NOW RUBS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE EVERY TIME IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH. THERE IS NO LONGER A GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CONSOLE, LIKE THERE IS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. W…

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MY M35 (2007) DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY IS "OFF TRACK". IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S STILL IN THE FLOOR TRACKS, BUT IT HAS MOVED ABOUT 3 INCHES TO THE RIGHT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT NOW RUBS ON THE CENTER CONSOLE EVERY TIME IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH. THERE IS NO LONGER A GAP BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CONSOLE, LIKE THERE IS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHAT HAPPENED, AND WHAT DO I DO? IT ALSO MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND I CAN MOVE THE ENTIRE SEAT BY GRABBING THE HEADREST. THE SEAT MOVES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #10794470

83,000 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Seats

AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT I FELT THE VEHICLE SEAT MOVE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. SEEMS DETACHED FROM SEAT RAILS

NHTSA ODI #10760119

110,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Seats

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND PROCEEDING TO A STOP LIGHT MY SEAT JUST FEEL ON ONE SIDE AND TOOK A DIP. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT DEFINITELY STARTLED ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND COULD BARELY DRIVE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO MY DESTINATION, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE 2 MINUTES AWAY AT THAT POINT AND LOOK AT THE SEAT AND IT TURNED OUT TO …

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND PROCEEDING TO A STOP LIGHT MY SEAT JUST FEEL ON ONE SIDE AND TOOK A DIP. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT DEFINITELY STARTLED ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND COULD BARELY DRIVE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO MY DESTINATION, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE 2 MINUTES AWAY AT THAT POINT AND LOOK AT THE SEAT AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE NOTHING I CAN DO. NOW THE SEAT LIFTS AND DROPS ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #10758720

65,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT, THE LEVER FAILED AND THE SEAT DID NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT WELD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 INFINITI M35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT, THE LEVER FAILED AND THE SEAT DID NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT WELD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 6/17/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10713211

115,000 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Seats

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 INFINITI M35X, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE LOOSE ON THE DOOR SIDE OF THE SEAT. AFTERWARD, IT MOVED AROUND AND I CONSIDERED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NOT KNOWING HOW SEVERE THE PROBLEM WOULD BECOME. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON BOTH THE 2007 AND 2…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 INFINITI M35X, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE LOOSE ON THE DOOR SIDE OF THE SEAT. AFTERWARD, IT MOVED AROUND AND I CONSIDERED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NOT KNOWING HOW SEVERE THE PROBLEM WOULD BECOME. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON BOTH THE 2007 AND 2006 MODELS OF THIS CAR. IT IS ON THE CUSTOMER TO PAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE NET CHARGE TO FIX MY PROBLEM WAS $1,310.05. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CALAMITY IF THE INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, A REAL POSSIBILITY AS I AM IN SALES AND USE THE CAR FOR MY JOB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694723

Official recalls

4

20V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

17V028000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V349000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

13V430000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Sep 26, 2013

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2004, through October 5, 2010. Over time, the accelerator pedal sensor signal may deteriorate resulting in the output of an incorrect signal causing the engine to go into fail-safe (limp home) mode.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In this fail-safe mode, throttle valve deposits may cause the engine to stall when the vehicle is coming to a stop or at idle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly and reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

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

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.