NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
155 reports51,000 miles · May 28, 2019
Service Brakes
3/8/19 RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE AT THE CALIPER SPLIT AT 51,000 MILES, COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WAS NOT A COVERED REPAIR BY THE DEALER. 5/24/19 LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST FAILED AT 56,000 MILES. AGAIN A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY.VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE …
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3/8/19 RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE AT THE CALIPER SPLIT AT 51,000 MILES, COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WAS NOT A COVERED REPAIR BY THE DEALER. 5/24/19 LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE JUST FAILED AT 56,000 MILES. AGAIN A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY.VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11210287
25,000 miles · May 15, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
ON 5/11/19, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN THE ENTIRE DASH WENT DARK, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING (WITH 3/4 TANK OF GAS) AS I LOOKED AT AN 'ALL POWER OFF' DISPLAYED IN THE INFORMATION AREA OF THE DASH (THAT NORMALLY DISPLAYS THE TRIP MILEAGE INDICATOR). I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE EMERGENCY FLASH BUTTON WHICH …
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ON 5/11/19, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN THE ENTIRE DASH WENT DARK, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING (WITH 3/4 TANK OF GAS) AS I LOOKED AT AN 'ALL POWER OFF' DISPLAYED IN THE INFORMATION AREA OF THE DASH (THAT NORMALLY DISPLAYS THE TRIP MILEAGE INDICATOR). I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE EMERGENCY FLASH BUTTON WHICH WORKED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO SIMPLY COAST TO A SAFE AREA ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING, I FELT I HAD ONE CHANCE TO USE THE POWER BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE REASON WAS DUE TO 'CAR FAILURE'. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE JUST STOPPING THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED WITH CASES SENT TO NHTSA. THEIR FRUSTRATION IN SUMMARY IS THIS: THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. TO BE CLEAR; I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY LINCOLN DEALERSHIP ON 5/15/19, AS THE SERVICE REP SAID THEY CAN'T FIND A COMPUTER ERROR CODE FOR THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO AT THIS POINT IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING FAIL, AND DON'T RESOLVE IT, YOU'LL SEE IT AGAIN. THEREFORE, I DON'T TRUST THIS CAR AS SAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE OPTION TO HEAR THAT YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS MAY REQUIRE YOUR DESIGN ENGINEERS TO BE INVOLVED. THE QUESTION IS SIMPLE, 'WHAT ITEMS CAN CAUSE THE COMPUTER TO 'ALL POWER OFF'. NO MIDDLE GROUND HERE AS IT IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE THAT I JUST LIVED THROUGH.
NHTSA ODI #11207822
49,000 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Service Brakes
ON OR ABOUT 10/22/18, TOOK SUV TO DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. MECHANIC FOUND THAT SUV NEEDED FRONT BRAKES. 1. FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER; AS I APPLIED BRAKES CAR STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE, NOISE IS INTERMITTENT AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. 11/29…
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ON OR ABOUT 10/22/18, TOOK SUV TO DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. MECHANIC FOUND THAT SUV NEEDED FRONT BRAKES. 1. FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER; AS I APPLIED BRAKES CAR STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE, NOISE IS INTERMITTENT AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. 11/29/18 - TOOK SUV BACK FOR FRONT BRAKE INTERMITTENT NOISE; ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO LATER, I START GETTING SAME INTERMITTENT BRAKE NOISE (GRINDING). 1/3/19 - I TOOK SUV BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE NOISE, MECHANIC TEST DROVE SUV AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE. (DID NOT PUT CAR ON LIFT). SERVICE MANAGER RODE WITH ME AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE. AS I WAS LEAVING DEALERSHIP, BRAKES MADE NOISE AGAIN AND HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE EVER SINCE. NEW BRAKES SHOULD NOT MAKE GRINDING NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #11171219
40,000 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Structure
ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 2017, WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO INTERIOR OF 2016 LINCOLN MKX SUV WHICH SMELLED BAD AND MADE EYES WATER. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM: 1. THEY FOUND THAT REAR WELD SEAMS BEHIND LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS WERE CRACKED AND ALSO WELD SEAMS BELOW LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS WERE…
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ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 2017, WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO INTERIOR OF 2016 LINCOLN MKX SUV WHICH SMELLED BAD AND MADE EYES WATER. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM: 1. THEY FOUND THAT REAR WELD SEAMS BEHIND LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS WERE CRACKED AND ALSO WELD SEAMS BELOW LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS WERE CRACKED. 2. RUBBER GROMMET WAS MISSING (HOLE) BEHIND LEFT TAIL LIGHT, REAR AIR VENT ON RIGHT SIDE BEHIND TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. 3. DEALER SEALED WELD SEAMS ON BOTH SIDES, (LT & RT) INSTALLED BLACK TAPE OVER GROMMET HOLE WITH SEALANT AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR VENT. 4. THEN PRESSURE TESTED INTERIOR FOR LEAKS.
NHTSA ODI #11171216
25,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Power Train
THE SUV PTO OR POWER TRANSFER UNIT OVER HEATS LEAKS GEAR OIL AND BURNS ON EXHURST PIPES. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO BREATHE AND LET COOL DOWN. DEALER SAYS IT IS A SEALED UNIT AND SHOULD NOT LEAK. NO WAY TO SERVICE UNIT SO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE FOR OVER $2400 DOLLARS
NHTSA ODI #11144491
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2018
Unknown Or Other
CARBON DIOXIDE COME INTO CAB EVERY TIME YOU PRESS ON GAS.I HAVE CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORS TO PROVE IT HAPPENS LINCOLN HAS TRIED TO FIX IT 3 OR 4 TIMES .THERE ANSWER ,THEY CANNOT FIX PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM HAS SHOWED UP IN OTHER VEHICLES . THE ENGINE IS 6 CYLINDER MODEL
NHTSA ODI #11132256
22,000 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE OPENING THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF, THE CONTACT DETECTED TWO CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINCOLN SOUTH COAST (1405 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705, (855) 711-9224) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A ROCK STRUCK THE SUN ROOF GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHILE OPENING THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF, THE CONTACT DETECTED TWO CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINCOLN SOUTH COAST (1405 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705, (855) 711-9224) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A ROCK STRUCK THE SUN ROOF GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #11128706
20,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Wheels
MULTIPLE TIRE PRESSURE LOSS WITH AS MUCH AS A 25 PSI DIFFERENTIAL . CONSTANT PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #11102384
30,600 miles · Jun 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH I CAN HEAR AIR COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDOW WHERE THE FELT MEETS THE WINDOW. UNABLE TO PUT HAD AT WINDOW TO SEE IF AIR CAN BE FELT COMING OUT WINDOW WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11100614
21,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE RADIATOR AND RESERVOIR CONTAINERS WERE EMPTY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LINCOLN MKX. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE RADIATOR AND RESERVOIR CONTAINERS WERE EMPTY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA ODI #11089559
Official recalls
7Aug 22, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The rear brake jounce hose may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake jounce hoses and adjust brake jounce hoses with no damage present, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S87.
Aug 10, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Consequence: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture prematurely.
Consequence: A ruptured front brake hose will cause a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake hoses with the new hoses that have a revised braid material, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S42.
Jul 17, 2020
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Air Bags
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Nov 12, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX vehicles equipped with 3.7L engines. The battery positive cable harness may contact the transmission shifter cable bracket resulting in a short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the battery harness clips and elbow guide, and install a wire channel shield and protective sleeve to the battery cable harness, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on December 2, 2019. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available, currently expected to be the end of April 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S41.
Aug 29, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Feb 27, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles. In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal air bag may not fully inflate or the air bag cushion may detach from the air bag module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: During deployment, if the air bag does not fully inflate or the cushion detaches, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C02.
May 24, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015. An incorrect seat back trim cover was installed on the affected vehicles, blocking the child seat tether anchors in the second row center seating position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly anchored child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat back trim cover and tether cover bezel on the second row, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C09.
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
1EA21002 · 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.
Illustration