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

What owners actually said

304 reports

35,920 miles · Oct 31, 2003

Air BagsCrashInjury

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IMPACT AT 45 MPH FULL FRONTAL IMPACT CAR ELECTRONIC SYSTEM (COMPUTER) REGISTERED THAT THE BAGS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. NO ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC CONNECTION REGISTERS ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS OPERATIONAL. NOR DRIVER OR PASSENGER BAGS WERE ACTIVATED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045213

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2003

TiresCrash

POOR PAINT QUALITY....HOW CAN AN AUTO MAKER BE ALLOWED TO PUT SUMMER LOW PROFILE TIRES ON A CAR THAT IS SOLD IN NEW ENGLAND?? *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043446

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2003

Electrical System

THE CAR STARTED STALLING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY NEWBORN CHILD AND IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE IF THE WAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR 3 DIFFERENT ISSUES + THEY FOUND OUT THE MAIN COMPUTER HAD A PROBLEM. IT IS ALMOST A MONTH AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND WILL BE FOR ANOTHER 3 WEEKS ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN PARTS REPR…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10043250

20,000 miles · Oct 14, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

DRIVING AT 75 MPH, CAR VERY SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 45 MPH. SUBSEQUENT TO THIS, CAR OPERATED SPORADICALLY UNTIL GOING PAST 15 MPH WAS IMPOSSIBLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT HAS REMAINED FOR A MONTH AWAITING A DEFECTIVE ECU REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER LATER INFORMED THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD OCCURRENCE, AND THAT NISSAN CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND OF THIS PARTICULAR PART(THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT COMPUTER). AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER FROM THE FAST LANE. MY VEHICLE HAS 20,000 MILES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041815

600 miles · Oct 11, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

Read full complaint

2002 NISSAN SENTRA GXE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AFTER BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS EXITING OFF HIGHWAY (60-70 MPH). THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED AT 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW WITH ONLY 600 MILES ON IT! THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 3 TIMES. THE 3RD TIME RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NISSAN ARBITRATION HAS TESTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS MODEL SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN 2000 AND 2001. IS IT NOT OBVIOUS THAT NISSAN HAS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041637

35,920 miles · Oct 6, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

I LEASED A SENTRA SE-R IN NOV 2002. SINCE GETTING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE CAR RANDOMLY DOES NOT START. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO TURN OVER, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO IT. THE CAR STARTS FINE SOME DAYS, AND THEN SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T WANT TO START. I'VE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE - THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IN JUNE, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING WHEN IT RAINS OUT - AND THAT MUST BE THE PROBLEM. (ARE THEY INSANE - I ASKED MYSELF - THE CAR WON'T START WHEN IT RAINS? THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL EVERY TIME I START THE CAR - A FUEL INJECTED CAR?) SO, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. BUT TWICE SINCE THE CAR HAS NOT WANTED TO START. THE CAR HAS, SINCE THE DAY I LEASED IT, RANDOMLY STALLED RIGHT AFTER STARTING. WHY? NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW. THEN, THIS WEEKEND WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 70 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER, AND BY THAT POINT THE ENGINE DIED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OVER 20 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT REMAINED ON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY TO TRAVEL HOME FROM WHERE I WAS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, STARTING MAKING HORRIBLE BANGING NOISES AND IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND HAD NO POWER. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT BEFORE HAVING TO CALL FOR A TOW. THERE WAS A RECALL RECENTLY ON THE SENTRA - RELATING TO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE FIRES - AND THE PARTS REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED - SO I AM LEFT WONDERING WHAT KIND OF JUNK I HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH... IT SEEMS THAT IT IS ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041315

17,500 miles · Oct 1, 2003

Electrical System

ECU FAILURE CAUSED FUEL PUMP RELAY TO CYCLE ERRRATICALLY WITH ACCOMPANYING ENGINE HESITATION. NISSAN COSIDERED THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REQUESTED THAT I DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. MANY ECU FAILURES SEEM TO BE OCCURING SINCE NISSAN TOLD THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD ISSUES WITH THE UNIT AND THAT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER.

NHTSA ODI #10041042

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

26,120 miles · Sep 2, 2003

Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DRIVER SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE TO AVOID A TABLE TOP WHICH WAS DROPPED BY AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND BECOME WEDGED BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND A GUARDRAIL. NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10032067

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON 5 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2003, EVERYTIME IT HAS BEEN THE SAME PROBLEM, IT STARTS IDLEING AT A VERY SPARATIC PACE, ALSO I LOSE THE THROTTLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN "RESET AND RECALIBRATED" 4 TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR THEN RUNS FINE FOR ABOUT 300 MILES AND WE GO THROUGH IT AGAIN. IT HAS…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10033487

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