Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports

Power Train complaints

20 reports

Clear category filter

20,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004

Power Train

TRANSMISSION GRINDING NOISE GOING INTO 3RD GEAR. CLUNK NOISE FROM LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058250

1 miles · Feb 16, 2004

Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION IS TERRIBLE. I CAN'T GET INTO REVERSE. IT IS CLUNKY. THAT'S WHY THEY CHANGED IT FOR 2004. IT ALWAYS POPS OUT OF GEAR. IF I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY'LL JUST TELL ME IT'S MY DRIVING LIKE THE OTHER 1000 PEOPLE OUT THERE I GUESS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT NEEDS TO RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH THE 04 TRANSMISSION. TH…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10058248

6,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

Read full complaint

1) ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH GEARS GRINDING, GEARS POPPING OUT (WHILE DRIVING NO LESS!), GEARS REFUSING TO GO INTO PROPER GEAR (ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM WITH REVERSE.) DEALER TELLS US CAR DRIVES FINE FOR THEM AND PROBLEMS CANNOT BE REPLICATED. SEVERAL OBSERVERS HAVE SEEN AND HEARD THESE PROBLEMS ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. DEALER CONTINUES TO TELL US THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. 2) CAR REFUSED TO START AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE UPON WE WERE TOLD THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP FOR US. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED AS OF THIS DATE. NOTE: THE EXACT MILAGE MAY NOT BE ACCURATE, BUT IS CLOSE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10069088

11,900 miles · Dec 24, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHTS THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. ONE TIME IT STALLED FOUR TIMES WITHIN ONE MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT ALL WINTER WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WEATHER BECAME WARM THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS STILL UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *PH *NM

NHTSA ODI #10047865

28,000 miles · Dec 14, 2003

Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE SITUATION IS WORSE ON COLD MORNINGS, EVEN AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP, AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER. AT TIMES, AFTER VECHICLE IS MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR CAN NOT BE PLACED IN NEXT GEAR, CAUSING VECHICLE TO ROLL DOWN STREET UNDER NO POWER UNTIL THE GEAR LEVER WILL ENGAGE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10049707

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003

Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

Read full complaint

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED A SPEED OF 60 MPH A WHISTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY ALL TOLD HIM THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL WITH THIS VEHICLE TYPE . THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER A FEW TIMES BUT CURRENTLY THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE ELECTRIC CABLES. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 10000 MILES AND AT 20000 MILES THE ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED. *AK *NLM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034208

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003

Power Train

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SIX OCCASIONS. *JB *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10022424

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003

Power Train

1. INTERMITTENT MANUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE CAR PURCHASED NEW. GEARS GRIND, REFUSE TO GO INTO PROPER GEAR, POP OUT OF GEAR (WHEN DRIVING!) PROBLEMS ARE NOT CONTINUAL, BUT DO SEEM TO BE INCREASING. DEALER TELLS US THERE IS NO PROBLEM, AS IT CANNOT BE REPLICATED.. CAR REFUSED TO START ON ONE OCCASION, TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10028750

20,800 miles · Apr 30, 2003

Power Train

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION (6SPD OF THE SPEC V MODEL) IS DEFECTIVE. 3RD GEAR SYNCHROS GO BAD, SHIFTING FEEL CLUNKY/KNOTCHY TO WHERE ITS HARD TO GET IN GEAR ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS COLD. TOOK IT IN THE FIRST TIME ON 3/26/02 AND THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER PULLED TRANSMISSION 1. WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT WITH ME AND 2. WITHOUT HAVING THE PART IN STOCK. TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW TRANSMISSION IN WHICH IF WE HADNT FOUGHT WITH THEM THEY WERENT PLANNING ON GIVING US A RENTAL. NOW IM TAKING IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. GRINDING AS IT GOES INTO 3RD. THIS TIME THEY SAY THEY ARE REPLACING IT WITH A 2003 TRANSMISSION AND IT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SO APPARENTLY NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. SINCE ITS ON 2 OCCASION I WILL PUT THE LATER DATE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TAKEN IN 3/26/02 AND REPLACED 4/11/02 AND NOW IM TAKING IT BACK IN ON 4/30/03 TO BE FIXED AGAIN

NHTSA ODI #10016736

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2002 SENTRA SE-R SPEC V IN FEB OF 2002. I HAVE HAD MAJOR ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVEN A YEAR OLD I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS 3 TIMES. THEY REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS WITH A 2003 TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN MY CAR IN 2 TIMES FOR THE ENGINE. MY ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED 2 TIMES. BOTH TIMES MY ENGINE WAS FOUND WITH NO OIL IN IT EVEN THOUGHT IT WAS FAR FROM BEING DO FOR AN OIL CHANGE. MY CAR CONSUMES OIL AND I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ADD. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXCESSIVE AND RIDICULES FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010390

Official recalls

20V747000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Dec 1, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag 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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

Air Bags

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

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.

15V287000 · Air Bags

May 15, 2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side 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 passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V511000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK'S BALL JOINT BRACKET MAY BREAK FROM STRESS CONCENTRATION AT A NOTCH CREATED BY SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND THE SHAPE OF THE MATERIAL CUT-LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

03V477000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Nov 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE QG18DE ENGINE OR QR25DE ENGINES, THE FOAM MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) BOX EMITS SULFUR AS IT CURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF ONE OF THE RESISTORS INSIDE THE ECM HAS A CRACK ON THE SURFACE COATING, THE GAS MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE RESISTOR. THIS COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON, POOR DRIVABILITY (IDLE INSTABILITY, POOR ACCELERATOR), OR THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSIDE LINING MATERIAL FROM THE ECM BOX. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V084000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Mar 11, 2003

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5 LITER ENGINE, THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN MAY CATCH DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY CONTACT WITH THE MAIN CATALYST. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER OF THESE TWO CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PROTRUDING PORTION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE HANGER PIN. IN ADDITION TO THE CORRECTIVE ACTION, IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE EVENT OF POOR OR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE THAT COULD RESULT IN OIL SPILLAGE, HEAT SHIELD(S) WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PRE-CATALYST AND EXHAUST TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. NISSAN RECALL NOS. R3007, R3014, R3015, R3016, R3017. ALSO ON 2002 ALTIMA AND SENTRA VEHICLES, CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE PRE-CATALYST TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE THE CATALYST SUBSTRATE. IF SUBSTRATE PARTICLES ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, THEY COULD SCORE THE CYLINDER WALLS, RESULTING IN INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION. IF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS NOT CHECKED ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND DROPS BELOW THE LOW LEVEL, AND THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IGNORING NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE PRE-CATALYST WILL BE TESTED TO ENSURE IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND INSIDE THE PRE-CATALYST, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENGINE.

02V056000 · Unknown Or Other

Feb 15, 2002

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN-APPROVED ACCESSORY FLOOR MAT THAT WAS INSTALLED EITHER AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR BY THE DEALER, DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT, A SMALL AMOUNT OF MAT MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE THE MAT TO INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOT ALLOW THE PEDAL TO RELEASE AFTER IT IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT AND IF IT IS A NISSAN FLOOR MAT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

01V376000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Dec 12, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE MISSING TAMPERPROOF CAPS THAT PREVENT HORIZONTAL HEADLAMP ADJUSTMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE CAPS ARE INSTALLED TO PREVENT MISADJUSTMENT OF THE HEADLAMPS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TAMPERPROOF CAP OVER THE HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT SCREW FOR BOTH HEADLAMPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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

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

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module