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2008 Infiniti M35

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Infiniti M35 do not stand out strongly from 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

27 reports with mileage · 33 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.

  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Steering complaints

21 reports
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3,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Steering

CAR WILL SHIFT LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE TERM I HAVE HEARD IS TRAMLINING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378534

13,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
EquipmentSteeringUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM INFINITI SOUTHWEST IN HOUSTON, TX WITH 13K ON IT ALREADY. THIS PAST YEAR I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ANY GROOVE ON THE ROAD OR MINOR INDENTATION CAUSES MY STEERING WHEEL TO …

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I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2009 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM INFINITI SOUTHWEST IN HOUSTON, TX WITH 13K ON IT ALREADY. THIS PAST YEAR I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. ANY GROOVE ON THE ROAD OR MINOR INDENTATION CAUSES MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOSE CONTROL. EVEN WHEN I SWITCH LANES, JUST DRIVING OVER THE LITTLE BUMP REFLECTOR CAUSE ME TRAMLING. IT LITERALLY LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A DRUNK DRIVER ON THE ROAD WHEN PEOPLE SEE ME DRIVING. IT OCCURS ANY TIME I DRIVE IT. I'VE GOTTEN NEW TIRES (WHICH THEY ALWAYS TRY TO BLAME FIRST), ALMOST 3 ALIGNMENTS, AND WARRANTY CHECKS AND THEY SAY THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM AND BLAME IT ON THE ROAD. WHY ARE THERE PEOPLE ON EVERY ONLINE INFINITI M FORUM COMPLAINING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE AND THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG (DEFECTIVE STEERING RACK) AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO GET DONE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362501

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

2008 INFINITI M35X HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED UP TO 130 DEGREES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BEHAV…

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2008 INFINITI M35X HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED UP TO 130 DEGREES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BEHAVIOR OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. DURING THE FIRST FOUR TIMES, THE DEALER DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF ANY PROBLEM. THE FIFTH TIME, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINED UNSOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10313212

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2010
Steering

2008 INFINITI M35 DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO CONVINCE THE DEALER THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEY FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND …

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2008 INFINITI M35 DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECTIVE STEERING MECHANISM CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO CONVINCE THE DEALER THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEY FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINED UNSOLVED AND THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE POSED A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10313168

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE STEERING ON THE CAR PULLS LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN STOPPING DEPENDING ON THE ROAD PITCH. I TOOK THE CAR INTO INFINITY FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE MAN SAID NOTHINGS WRONG ALL INFINITI'S DO THAT. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN EASILY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR PULLS INTO THE OTHER LANE. THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE SOME SORT OF…

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THE STEERING ON THE CAR PULLS LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN STOPPING DEPENDING ON THE ROAD PITCH. I TOOK THE CAR INTO INFINITY FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE MAN SAID NOTHINGS WRONG ALL INFINITI'S DO THAT. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN EASILY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR PULLS INTO THE OTHER LANE. THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN THE STEERING OR BRAKING OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260639

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Power TrainSteering

2008 INFINITI M35 SPORT HAS A SEVERE TRAMLINING PROBLEM. DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 60 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR LIKES TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT AND RARELY WANTS TO TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES INTO THE OTHER LANE. CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN A SECOND OR TWO AT HIG…

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2008 INFINITI M35 SPORT HAS A SEVERE TRAMLINING PROBLEM. DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 60 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR LIKES TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT AND RARELY WANTS TO TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES INTO THE OTHER LANE. CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN A SECOND OR TWO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EVEN MORE NOTICEABLE IS AT SLOWER SPEEDS (I.E. COMING TO A STOP) VEHICLES PULLS VERY HARD AS THOUGH IT HAS HIT A LARGE POTHOLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250128

195 miles · Nov 15, 2008
Steering

BRAND NEW 2008 INFINITI M35 SPORT HAS A SEVERE TRAMLINING PROBLEM. DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 60 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR LIKES TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT AND RARELY WANTS TO TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES INTO THE OTHER LANE. CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN A SECOND…

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BRAND NEW 2008 INFINITI M35 SPORT HAS A SEVERE TRAMLINING PROBLEM. DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 60 MPH THE STEERING BECOMES VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR LIKES TO SWERVE LEFT AND RIGHT AND RARELY WANTS TO TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES INTO THE OTHER LANE. CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN A SECOND OR TWO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. INFINITI DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT TELLING THE TRUTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248870

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2008
SteeringTires

MY CAR, A 2008 INFINITI M35X, EXHIBITED EXTREME TRAMLINING (POOR ROAD TRACKING) ON INITIAL DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD WANDER ALL OVER A LANE WHEN RIDING ON A RESURFACED TAR LINE OR SIMILAR. IT WAS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE TIRE REPLACEMENT, FROM GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TO MICHELIN P…

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MY CAR, A 2008 INFINITI M35X, EXHIBITED EXTREME TRAMLINING (POOR ROAD TRACKING) ON INITIAL DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD WANDER ALL OVER A LANE WHEN RIDING ON A RESURFACED TAR LINE OR SIMILAR. IT WAS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE TIRE REPLACEMENT, FROM GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TO MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 WHICH RESULTED IN SOMEWHAT BETTER ROAD RESPONSE, BUT STILL QUITE SEVERE AND NOTICEABLE EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE FROM ANY CAR, LET ALONE ONE THAT COSTS MORE THAN $50,000. CHECKING VARIOUS FORUMS, I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. MANY CLAIM THAT CHANGING OUT THE STEERING RACK SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IT'S CLEARLY DANGEROUS AS IT STANDS AND NISSAN/INFINITI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247283

3,800 miles · May 26, 2008
Steering

THE AUTOMOBILE TRAMLINES CONSISTENTLY AND, UNDER SOME CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228925

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2008
Steering

STEERING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE. STEERING WHEEL TRAMLNES AND WANDERS. UNSAFE LANE CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220198

Official recalls

5

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.

09V393000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Oct 5, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

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.