WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY DURING WINTER, A CRACK APPEARED AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOTHING KNOWINGLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND I SEE AND FEEL NO KIND OF IMPACT POINT. THE CRACK EXTENDED UPWARD AND THEN SPREAD TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED A SUBARU DE…
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WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY DURING WINTER, A CRACK APPEARED AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOTHING KNOWINGLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND I SEE AND FEEL NO KIND OF IMPACT POINT. THE CRACK EXTENDED UPWARD AND THEN SPREAD TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I HAVE CONTACTED A SUBARU DEALER ASKING THEM WHAT SUBARU'S POLICY IS REGARDING WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS ON 2015 OUTBACKS. I AM WAITING FOR THEIR REPLY.
NHTSA ODI #11180874
51,500 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM BASE OF WINDSHIELD RUNS THROUGH HEATING ELEMENT AND WIPER AREA. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY PEBBLE IMPACT OR POSSIBLY EXTREMELY MINOR ONE AND SPREAD IMMEDIATELY
NHTSA ODI #11180329
70,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Visibility/wiper
WE CAME OUT TO FIND A 6-8 INCH CRACK LINE EMANATING FROM THE TOP RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE ONE MORNING. WE DROVE IT 5 MILES AFTER THAT AND WHEN WE CAME OUT IT HAD TRAVELLED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELDS DRIVER SIDE. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME IT HAD MOVED HALFWAY THROUGH THE GLASS AND ENDED IN A "J" AT THE M…
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WE CAME OUT TO FIND A 6-8 INCH CRACK LINE EMANATING FROM THE TOP RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE ONE MORNING. WE DROVE IT 5 MILES AFTER THAT AND WHEN WE CAME OUT IT HAD TRAVELLED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELDS DRIVER SIDE. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME IT HAD MOVED HALFWAY THROUGH THE GLASS AND ENDED IN A "J" AT THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT! THE FIRST WAS A RECALL. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS FROM THE TEENIEST PING FROM A CAR ON THE FREEWAY AND NOW THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT! THIS IS MY FIRST SUBARU. WE HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT TOYOTA IN THE PAST. I REMEMBER ONE INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY FROM A TRUCK HITTING THE RAV 4 AND IT WAS AN ISOLATED HOLE THAT WE COULD HAVE FILLED, NOT REPLACED! DO I REALLY HAVE TO HAVE A NEW WINDSHIELD EVERY YEAR?! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I E-MAILED SUBARU THREE DAYS AGO AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11121568
60,200 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Visibility/wiper
CAR WAS STATIONARY AND CRACKED FROM BOTTOM TO FORM 8 IN L SHAPE SAME AS THE LAST TIME THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED 3 YEARS PRIOR
NHTSA ODI #11113190
46,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Visibility/wiper
IN JUNE OF 2018 OUR FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK ACROSS THE TOP DRIVER SIDE, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SORT OF IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD OVER A NUMBER OF DAY. SUBARU REJECTED OUR WARANTEE CLAIM BECAUSE THE CRACK WAS IN THE WRONG LOCATION.
NHTSA ODI #11110450
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2018
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR'IT STARTED IN THE BLACK SECTION ALONGSIDE THE MIRROR AND CAME DOWN AND MADE A J AND REVERSE J PATTEN ONTO DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AT EYE LEVEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO IMPACT POINT BUT REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY B…
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WINDSHIELD CRACKED BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR'IT STARTED IN THE BLACK SECTION ALONGSIDE THE MIRROR AND CAME DOWN AND MADE A J AND REVERSE J PATTEN ONTO DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AT EYE LEVEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO IMPACT POINT BUT REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AREA. WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER HIT BY ROCK OR OTHER DEBRIS AND THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR IT TO CRACK LIKE IT DID. THE CRACK APPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SUBARU CARLEX WINDSHIELDS. I FOUND FOUND SEVERAL COMMENTS ONLINE DESCRIBING THIS SAME CRACKING PATTERN.
NHTSA ODI #11079963
35,000 miles · Jan 7, 2018
Visibility/wiper
2 YEARS, 35000 MILES INTO OWNING NEW 2015 OUTBACK, MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED AN 8 INCH LONG CRACK ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS APPEARED WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE, WITH NO KNOWN WINDSHIELD IMPACTS DRIVING. CONSEQUENTLY, I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD USING SAFELITE, MATCHING THE WINDSHIELD TYPE VIA VIN. ONL…
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2 YEARS, 35000 MILES INTO OWNING NEW 2015 OUTBACK, MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED AN 8 INCH LONG CRACK ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS APPEARED WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE, WITH NO KNOWN WINDSHIELD IMPACTS DRIVING. CONSEQUENTLY, I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD USING SAFELITE, MATCHING THE WINDSHIELD TYPE VIA VIN. ONLY 2 MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT, ANOTHER CRACK DEVELOPED ORIGINATING FROM THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE EDGE, AND QUICKLY SPREAD 3/4 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE BOTTOM. AGAIN, NO IMPACTS WERE WITNESSED TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD AGAIN, AS IT LIKELY WILL CRACK IN THE SAME MANNER SOONER OR LATER.
NHTSA ODI #11061061
14,000 miles · Nov 20, 2017
Visibility/wiper
LARGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. STARTS AT THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE CAR AND BRANCHES OUT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11047421
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2017
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHOWED UP ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HAS INCREASED IN SIZE. BEFORE BRINING IT TO THE DEALER (NAPOLEON SUBARU IN SCHAUMBURG, IL), I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CRACK WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY WINDSHIELD AND NOT BECAUSE OF ANY IMPACT. THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT TO THE WI…
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THERE IS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHOWED UP ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HAS INCREASED IN SIZE. BEFORE BRINING IT TO THE DEALER (NAPOLEON SUBARU IN SCHAUMBURG, IL), I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE CRACK WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY WINDSHIELD AND NOT BECAUSE OF ANY IMPACT. THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND YET THE CRACK APPEARED AND HAS SPREAD. SUBARU DEALER SAID THAT THE CRACK MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN IMPACT BUT AGAIN I DON'T RECOLLECT ANY IMPACT THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. THE SUBARU DEALER SAID HE DID HIS PEN POINT CHECK AND THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY SUBARU'S FAULT. WHAT THE SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME ABOUT THE PEN POINT CHECK MAKES NO SENSE TO ME ESPECIALLY AS THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT TO MY WINDSHIELD. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT SUBARU AND THE DEALER ARE LYING ABOUT THE FAULTY WINDSHIELD AND ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE IT (WHICH I AM ASSUMING IS ALSO A FAULTY OEM PART). I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS BEFORE AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE. I REPEAT, NEVER BEFORE ON ANY CAR, ESPECIALLY A NEW CAR. I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AGAIN, WAS TOLD THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSED BY FAULTY WINDSHIELD. EITHER TO AVOID ADMITTING FAULT OR TO AVOID PAYING FOR A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM OR FOR AVOIDING LIABILITY IN A LAWSUIT, I DON'T KNOW BUT I FEEL LIKE SUBARU IS DELIBERATELY LYING OR MISREPRESENTING THE FACTS ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD EXPECT FROM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BUT I AM WRITING BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS. WE WERE CONSIDERING A SUBARU FORRESTER FOR NEXT YEAR BUT I AM NOT GOING TO DO THAT NOW GIVEN HOW BADLY SUBARU IS TREATING ME ON THIS FAULT OF THEIRS. I SUSPECT SUBARU WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING DESPITE IT BEING SUBARU'S FAULT AT PUTTING IN A BAD WINDSHIELD AND INSTEAD PUSH THE COST TO THE CAR BUYERS. I CAN BE REACHED ON THE CELL AT [XXX]. THANKS. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11033892
35,000 miles · Jun 22, 2017
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREEN ON THE RADIO CREATED A BLINDING GLARE FROM THE SUNLIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A PEDESTRIAN DUE TO THE GLARE. THE WAS TAKEN TO RAMSEY SUBARU WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREEN ON THE RADIO CREATED A BLINDING GLARE FROM THE SUNLIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A PEDESTRIAN DUE TO THE GLARE. THE WAS TAKEN TO RAMSEY SUBARU WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO BE REACHED. UPDATED 9/22/2017*JS
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