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2005 Mercedes Benz C230

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

43 reports with mileage · 42 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 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2024
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not determine the issue! There have been various recalls on the Takata air bags stating my C230 2005 Kompressor is included in the recall over…

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The SAM system failed and car would not start !It took months to be diagnosed by 3 different mechanics! The message said quite often that the Air bags have been deployed !The dealer could not determine the issue! There have been various recalls on the Takata air bags stating my C230 2005 Kompressor is included in the recall over the last few years and when I put in the vin it says my car is not included! My mechanic said I should take it to the dealer before someone is killed. All I want now is to have these airbags replaced! Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11578847

111,000 miles · Aug 28, 2020
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER IT DRAINED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT KEEPS DRAINING NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I REPLACE IT. I HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 200 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THIS. I REPLACED THE TIRES ONCE A…

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I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER IT DRAINED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT KEEPS DRAINING NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I REPLACE IT. I HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 200 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THIS. I REPLACED THE TIRES ONCE AND THE BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES. I PAID $6,500.00 FOR A CAR I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11351726

170,000 miles · Aug 15, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

ON THE HIGHWAY CAR SHUT DOWN SHOP SAID THE W SHAPED FUEL TANK FAILED TO SEND FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO THE DRIVER SIDE. ALSO NUMEROUS TIME SPEED HAS ACCELERATED INDEPENDANTLY BUMPED IN PARKING LOT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED SEAT MALFUNCTIONS WHEN MOVING IT ITS STUCK AND CROOKED CANT REACH PEDALS AND LOSS OF POWER EVEN AFTER FUEL REPA…

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ON THE HIGHWAY CAR SHUT DOWN SHOP SAID THE W SHAPED FUEL TANK FAILED TO SEND FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE TO THE DRIVER SIDE. ALSO NUMEROUS TIME SPEED HAS ACCELERATED INDEPENDANTLY BUMPED IN PARKING LOT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED SEAT MALFUNCTIONS WHEN MOVING IT ITS STUCK AND CROOKED CANT REACH PEDALS AND LOSS OF POWER EVEN AFTER FUEL REPAIRS BEFORE AS WELL. SUNROOF MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND CONSTANT FUSES BLOWING AND LIGHTS ALL THE TIME. DOOR LOCKS ALSO GET STUCK. BATTERY ALSO DRAINS ITSELF ALL THE TIME AND HAS BAD CYLINDERS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BUT THANKS FOR THE BENZ ITS OTHERWISE GREAT WHAT A JOKE.

NHTSA ODI #11349353

72 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

HI MY NAME IS [XXX] I OWN THE VEHICLE DESCRIBE AND PROVIDED THE VIN NR I WENT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ OF PORTLAND OR SITUATED IN 1605 S.W NAITO PKWY PORTLLAND OREGON ON THE DATE OF 3 OCTOBER 2019 BECAUSE THIS CAR HAVE A S.R.S RECALL THEY MAKE ME WAITING FROM 10;16 TO 15;41 BUT THEY DU NOT WANT TO SOLVE ALL THE RECALL FOR FREE MOTIV…

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HI MY NAME IS [XXX] I OWN THE VEHICLE DESCRIBE AND PROVIDED THE VIN NR I WENT TO THE MERCEDES BENZ OF PORTLAND OR SITUATED IN 1605 S.W NAITO PKWY PORTLLAND OREGON ON THE DATE OF 3 OCTOBER 2019 BECAUSE THIS CAR HAVE A S.R.S RECALL THEY MAKE ME WAITING FROM 10;16 TO 15;41 BUT THEY DU NOT WANT TO SOLVE ALL THE RECALL FOR FREE MOTIVATED THE COMPANY THEY DO NOT ALLOW TO CHANGE EVERY SENSOR FOR FREE BECAUSE ON THE COST TOO BIG !!! THE CAR HAVE SEVERAL ISSUE SINCE THAT AND I AM ON DISABILITY I CAN CHANGE THOSE ISSUE BY MYSELF PLEASE TAKE NOTE AND HELPING ME >THANK YOU VERY MACH [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #11308340

110,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE SAFETY AIR BAG RECALL HOWEVER, I HAVE JUST FOUND OIL IN MY WIRING HARNESS. MY CAR IS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND STALLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, I RECEIVED 8 CODES. I HAVE OIL IN MY CAMSHAFT WIRING HARNESS, MY PISTON 1 FUEL INJECT, SPARK PLUGS, AND FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHERE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER MAGN…

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I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE SAFETY AIR BAG RECALL HOWEVER, I HAVE JUST FOUND OIL IN MY WIRING HARNESS. MY CAR IS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND STALLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, I RECEIVED 8 CODES. I HAVE OIL IN MY CAMSHAFT WIRING HARNESS, MY PISTON 1 FUEL INJECT, SPARK PLUGS, AND FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHERE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER MAGNETS ARE COVERED IN BLACK SLUDGE OIL. ANOTHER MERCEDES OWNER TOLD ME THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIS CAR AND WAS "PIGTAILED" THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR 2005 C230 KOMPRESSOR SPORT THE RECALL NUMBER IS #200910001. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, I NEED A GOVERNMENT LETTER TO BE APPROVED. MAY YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS REQUEST?

NHTSA ODI #11185733

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

OTHER REMAINING

NHTSA ODI #11036009

156,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRE HARNESS TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRE HARNESS TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874804

51,000 miles · Oct 19, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

ON A WAY FROM ROAD TRIP I WAS DRIVING ( NIGHT DRIVE) MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I PULL ON SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND THEN I SAW SMOKE PORING OUT OF MY DRIVER SIDE FOG LIGHT AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHT .OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW WHAT I REALLY DID NOT WANTED TO SEE A FIRE. I JUST WANA SAY BIG THANKS F…

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ON A WAY FROM ROAD TRIP I WAS DRIVING ( NIGHT DRIVE) MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I PULL ON SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND THEN I SAW SMOKE PORING OUT OF MY DRIVER SIDE FOG LIGHT AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHT .OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW WHAT I REALLY DID NOT WANTED TO SEE A FIRE. I JUST WANA SAY BIG THANKS FOR SEMITRUCK DRIVER WHO WAS SO NICE TO STOP WITH HIS RIG AND TRY TO HELP ME WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN FIRE WAS OUT I PULL THE BULB OUT AND PLASTIC BULB SOCKET THE HOLD THE BULB WAS GONE MELTED. IM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PLASTIC PART THAT IS ON BULB IS A PLASTIC PART THAT IS COMING FROM THE CAR ELECTRICAL WIRE THAT PLUGS IN TO THE BULB.SAME THING WAS WITH FOG LIGHT BULB ALL MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS NO PLASTIC FOR BULB SOCKET. AFTER COUPLE MINUTES SEMITRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME TO FOLLOW HIM TO FIRST RESTAREA STOP SO I CAN BE SAFE NOT STANDING ON MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR AND TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON ONLY ONE LIGHT WAS WORKING. FINALLY AFTER COUPLE MILES OF DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT AND FOLLOWING THE SEMITRUCK DRIVER WE CAME TO FIRST REST AREA STOP. AFTER LOOKING FOR COUPLE MINUTES SEMITRUCK DRIVER GAVE ME ELECTRICAL TAPE TO COVER THE WIRES SO THAT FIRE DOSE NOT START AGAIN. MAYBE IS HARD TO BELIEVE BUT I HAVE PHOTOS THAT I CAN SEND IT . I KNOW THERE IS A MERCEDES FORUM ON INTERNET ABOUT THIS PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. LIKE I SAID I HAVE PHOTOS THAT I CAN SEND IT IF YOU GUYS THING IS A MADE UP STORY. AND WORST THING IS NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT IS A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR SO I DON'T FEEL SAFE OR DRIVING ANY MORE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED I BEEN GOING THRU 20 BULBS FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS TAIL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS. BUT NOW IM THINKING IS NOT THE BULBS THAT R BAD IS THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548559

62,000 miles · Nov 5, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

IN SEPT 2008 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED MERCEDES BENZ C230 SEDAN ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE THE CAR HAD APPROX 32K ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE, IT NOW IS AT APRROX 62K ALL SERVICE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR ONLY HAS THE OEM EQUIPMENT IT WAS MANUFACTURED…

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IN SEPT 2008 I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED MERCEDES BENZ C230 SEDAN ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE THE CAR HAD APPROX 32K ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE, IT NOW IS AT APRROX 62K ALL SERVICE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR ONLY HAS THE OEM EQUIPMENT IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH. ON THE 28TH OF OCT 2010 I HAD RETURNED TO WORK PARKED THE CAR AND ABOUT 15 MINS AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF I WAS SUMMONED BY A COWORKER THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, I IMMEDIATELY OPENED THE HOOD, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE CARS BATTERY AS HAVING A MECHANICAL BACKGROUND IN BOTH AUTOMOTIVE & AVIATION. I NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS CALLED THE MORNING OF NOV 2, 2010 BY THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPT THAT MY CLAIM ADJUSTER HAD ARRIVED AND WAS ASKED TO AUTHORIZE TEAR DOWN OF THE CAR AND THAT IT HAD APPEARED THAT THE CARS ALTERNATOR WIRE HARNESS HAD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE CARS EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH LED TO THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THIS WAS CLASSIFIED AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR IN WHICH I AM IN TOTAL DISAGREEMENT WITH ESPECIALLY SINCE MERCEDES OF ALBUQUERQUE HAS PERFORMED ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THIS NOW IS BEING PUT ON ME FOR THE EXPENSES. IN MY PAST 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THIS NATURE WITH A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/07/10 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364178

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

FIRST, MY STEERING WHEEL WIRE WAS REPLACED FROM A FAULTY SRS LIGHT COMING ON AND THE ESP LIGHT COMING ON. I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS. NEXT, EUROMOTOR CARS SAID THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAR WAS BROKE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT FIXED BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME AND I FELT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE COLLAR SINCE THEY REPLACED THE…

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FIRST, MY STEERING WHEEL WIRE WAS REPLACED FROM A FAULTY SRS LIGHT COMING ON AND THE ESP LIGHT COMING ON. I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS. NEXT, EUROMOTOR CARS SAID THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAR WAS BROKE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT FIXED BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME AND I FELT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE COLLAR SINCE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WIRE. NOW MY CAR DOES NOT START AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT LIGHT UP. I CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE KEY AND I CANNOT UNLOCK THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. MY CAR JUST SITS BECAUSE I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THIS ANY MORE. I HAVE PUT $6,800 IN REPAIRS IN THIS CAR. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I FEEL MY CAR IS UNSAFE. MY CAR WAS FIRST SERVICED AT HERB GORDON'S AUTO GROUP IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE SO I DECIDED TO TRY EUROMOTORS AND THE SERVICE WAS WORSE. THEY CONTINUE TO PUT IN CODES SO THERE WILL NOT BE A RECALL AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE HELP IN RESOLVING SOME OF THE ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH THIS 2005 C230 KOMPRESSOR MERCEDES BENZ. I WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR THIS CAR TO BE ENTERED INTO THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING WIRE REPAIR JUST AS THE E320. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 4,000 MILES ON IT IN 10/2005. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358849

Official recalls

4

24V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Nov 19, 2024

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

22V954000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 23, 2022

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

19V918000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 20, 2019

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

16V081000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 11, 2016

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

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.