THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. LAST WEEK A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN MINUTES A 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED (EXTENDS FROM UPPER RIGHT TO THE MIDDLE). THE CRACK IS CONTINUING TO GROW. I'M CONCERNED THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE …
Read full complaint
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE UPPER RIGHT TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. LAST WEEK A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN MINUTES A 2 FOOT CRACK APPEARED (EXTENDS FROM UPPER RIGHT TO THE MIDDLE). THE CRACK IS CONTINUING TO GROW. I'M CONCERNED THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #10785981
7,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH LAKE TAHOE AREA WITHOUT ANY DEBRIS HITTING WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTED AT LOWER PASSENGER CORNER AND HAS GROWN PAST MID SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS THE 2ND WINDSHIELD DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10766830
13,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other
NOTICED A SMALL WINDSHIELD CRACK AND WAS TOLD IT COULDN'T BE REPAIRED. IT STAYED SMALL FOR A MONTH OR SO THEN SPREAD RAPIDLY WHEN WEATHER HEATED UP. I'VE HAD DINGS BEFORE IN PRIOR CARS' WINDSHIELDS, BUT NEVER A CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #10764422
6,000 miles · Sep 13, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, MERELY AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT WHILE BEING WASHED. (I HAVE NEVER IN MY 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING CARS HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE IMPACT OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT!!!) THE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD ALMOST TO THE DRIVER S…
Read full complaint
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, MERELY AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT WHILE BEING WASHED. (I HAVE NEVER IN MY 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING CARS HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE IMPACT OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER RETRACTING ONTO IT!!!) THE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD ALMOST TO THE DRIVER SIDE. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION, I BELIEVE THE BUILT IN WINDSHIELD DE-ICER UNIT COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. IN THE EVENT AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR, THE WINDSHIELD COULD VERY WELL SHATTER AND CAUSE BODILY INJURY. A SUBARU OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMED VIA EMAIL THAT "IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE SEEN A HIGHER DEMAND FOR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT THAN WE USUALLY SEE. OUR PARTS DEPARTMENT IS WORKING HARD WITH RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS AVAILABILITY....WE HAVE ALSO UPDATED OUR PRODUCTION PROCESS TO IMPROVE THE DURABILITY OF OUR WINDSHIELDS." CLEARLY, THE SUBARU OUTBACK 2015 WINDSHIELDS HAVE A DEFECT, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED NEXT WEEK. ONLY TIME WILL WILL TELL HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST. IN FAIRNESS, THE SUBARU OF AMERICA REP HAS ASKED ME TO SEND A COPY OF THE REPLACEMENT RECEIPT TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP WITH THE COST. CONSIDERING SUBARU'S REPUTATION, MY HOPE IS THEY WILL ULTIMATELY REIMBURSE ME IN FULL.
NHTSA ODI #10763381
6,000 miles · Sep 5, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED HORIZONTALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. IT WAS FINE WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE; THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE CRACK WAS THERE.
NHTSA ODI #10761752
9,868 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperInjury
INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF THE MOUNTING WITH GLASS ATTACHED TO THE MOUNTING. THEIR WAS NO FORCEFUL MOVEMENT OR ADJUSTMENT BEING APPLIED TO THE MIRROR AT THE TIME, IT JUST CAME DOWN. DISTRACTING MY DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10761638
7,652 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Unknown Or Other
TRAVELING FROM KANSAS CITY MO TO PHOENIX WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACK WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE TRAVELING IN A LIGHT RAIN AND THERE WAS SOME VERY SMALL PEA GRAVEL BEING THROWN UP BY PASSING CARS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF CAR. THE CRACK CENTERED OVER THE PASSENGER WIPER ABOUT 4 INCHES UPWARD. THERE WAS NO STAR FORMATION. I TOOK IT T…
Read full complaint
TRAVELING FROM KANSAS CITY MO TO PHOENIX WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACK WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE TRAVELING IN A LIGHT RAIN AND THERE WAS SOME VERY SMALL PEA GRAVEL BEING THROWN UP BY PASSING CARS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF CAR. THE CRACK CENTERED OVER THE PASSENGER WIPER ABOUT 4 INCHES UPWARD. THERE WAS NO STAR FORMATION. I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN CHANDLER AZ. I WAS TOLD BY THE GENERAL MANAGER THAT THERE WAS A BACK ORDER ON THE GLASS BUT TO WAIT UNTIL I RETURNED TO KANSAS CITY FOR REPAIR. DURING OUR DRIVE HOME I CALLED OUR INSURANCE, SUBARU (WHERE PURCHASED) AND GLASS COMPANY. I FOUND THAT GLASS ON MY OUTBACK WAS AT LEAST 6 WEEKS OUT. AFTER 6 WEEKS I WAS AGAIN TOLD THE GLASS REMAINS ON BACKORDER. IT WAS FINALLY REPLACED BY SAFELITE ON AUGUST 25TH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD, INSTALLATION, OR FIT? THANKS
NHTSA ODI #10761600
4,300 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I WAS AT WORK TODAY AND WHEN I LEFT I SAT IN THE OUTBACK FOR ABOUT 10 MIN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND MADE PHONE CALLS. WHEN I GOT READY TO TAKE OFF I HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED AROUND AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO PICK UP THE GRANDKIDS AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "HOW DID THE WINDSHIELD…
Read full complaint
I WAS AT WORK TODAY AND WHEN I LEFT I SAT IN THE OUTBACK FOR ABOUT 10 MIN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND MADE PHONE CALLS. WHEN I GOT READY TO TAKE OFF I HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED AROUND AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO, MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO PICK UP THE GRANDKIDS AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "HOW DID THE WINDSHIELD GET CRACKED? HE WAS RIGHT IT WAS CRACKED RIGHT AT THE REARVIEW MIRROR. I CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE SALES COMPANY AND THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO COME WHEN A SUBARU REP IS IN THE STORE AND HE WILL TELL WHETHER IT WAS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT, I WAS SITTING STILL AND IT JUST CRACKED. IT WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING, AND THERE ARE NO INDENTS WHERE IT WAS HIT.
NHTSA ODI #10760851
10,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I HEARD A POP ON THE HIGHWAY, ALTHOUGH NOTHING HIT MY VEHICLE. SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS APPEARED-ONE QUICKLY GOT LARGER. I HAD CALLED SUBARU A FEW MONTHS BEFORE ABOUT THE POP AS MY MECHANIC SAID THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE REPLACED-THERE WAS NO REACTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH WIND NOISE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND HAD THE…
Read full complaint
I HEARD A POP ON THE HIGHWAY, ALTHOUGH NOTHING HIT MY VEHICLE. SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS APPEARED-ONE QUICKLY GOT LARGER. I HAD CALLED SUBARU A FEW MONTHS BEFORE ABOUT THE POP AS MY MECHANIC SAID THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE REPLACED-THERE WAS NO REACTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH WIND NOISE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND HAD THE SMALL WINDOW REPLACED AS WELL. THERE IS A GENERAL ISSUE WITH THE WINDOW SIZING AND PLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS IN THIS MODEL, AND SUBARU NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #10748794
4,390 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS AN IMPACT POINT AT THE ORIGIN OF THE CRACK, YET THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE WIPER ASSEMBLY. I WASHED THE CAR ON TUESDAY 8/11/15 AND THERE WAS NO CRACK THEN. THE…
Read full complaint
THE WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS AN IMPACT POINT AT THE ORIGIN OF THE CRACK, YET THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE WIPER ASSEMBLY. I WASHED THE CAR ON TUESDAY 8/11/15 AND THERE WAS NO CRACK THEN. THE CRACK WAS FIRST NOTICED BY A PASSENGER ON 8/12/15. THE CRACK SEEMS TO BE GETTING LARGER. THE SUBARU DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT I KNOW NOTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD. THE CAR IS ALWAYS KEPT IN MY GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured on July 20, 2015. The brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture which may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTC-64.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 and 2016 model year Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Outback vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to July 27, 2015. Transmission oil may leak from a deformed seal cap on the propeller shaft yoke.
Consequence: If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the propeller shaft, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2015. Owners may contact 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQU-56.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Outback vehicles manufactured January 22, 2014, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with a Subaru accessory trailer hitch assembly. During installation, the trailer hitch mounting nuts may have been overtightened, potentially resulting in failure of the trailer hitch mounting studs.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight mounting nuts for the trailer hitch assembly, and will inspect all eight mounting studs for damage, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2014. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQN-50.
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.
Illustration