Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1810–25K
6925–50K
5350–75K
2675–100K
8100–150K
6150K+
343 reports with mileage · 167 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Visibility/wiper. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
510 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2015
Visibility/wiper
MY WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK THAT RUNS FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW AND THEN HORIZONTALLY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS FIRST STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK AND GREW QUICKLY. THERE IS A TINY CHIP, LESS THAN A PIN HEAD IN SIZE NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE CRACK. NO STAR, AND NOT THE SIZE I WOULD TAKE TO GET F…
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MY WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK THAT RUNS FROM THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW AND THEN HORIZONTALLY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS FIRST STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK AND GREW QUICKLY. THERE IS A TINY CHIP, LESS THAN A PIN HEAD IN SIZE NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE CRACK. NO STAR, AND NOT THE SIZE I WOULD TAKE TO GET FIXED. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT OTHER THAN "BUMMER, A BIG CRACK IN MY BRAND NEW CAR'S WINDSHIELD" UNTIL I SAW ANOTHER OUTBACK, SAME BODY STYLE, WITH THE SAME CRACK. I CALLED THE DEALER TO GET IT REPLACED AND IT IS ON A 3 MONTH BACKORDER. THEN I CHECKED THIS WEBSITE AND SAW SEVERAL SIMILAR STORIES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD, INSTALLATION, OR FIT? THANKS
NHTSA ODI #10748449
400 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Visibility/wiper
MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK IN POCATELLO, IDAHO. ON OUR MAIDEN VOYAGE HOME, 10 MILES FROM OUR HOME IN WYOMING THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY SPREAD TO OVER 18 INCHES. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WHILE WASHING THE CAR, THE CRACK RAN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ANOTHER 18 INC…
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MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK IN POCATELLO, IDAHO. ON OUR MAIDEN VOYAGE HOME, 10 MILES FROM OUR HOME IN WYOMING THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY SPREAD TO OVER 18 INCHES. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WHILE WASHING THE CAR, THE CRACK RAN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ANOTHER 18 INCHES. I CONTACTED OUR GLASS SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AFTERMARKET DOESN'T HAVE WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2015 OUTBACK AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED SAFELITE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SEVERAL DAYS. THE NIGHT BEFORE MY WIFE WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, SAFELITE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE WINDSHIELD WAS BACKORDERED FOR 3 MORE WEEKS AND THE COST WOULD BE 100.00 MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL QUOTE. I CANCELED THE ORDER AND CONTACTED A SUBARU DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD EXPEDITE A NEW WINDSHIELD FOR US AND THAT IT SHOULD BE IN ON AUGUST 1ST. TODAY IS AUGUST 12TH, STILL NO WINDSHIELD. THE ORIGINAL CRACK HAPPENED WITHOUT EVER HEARING A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. SEVERAL DAYS AGO A SMALL ROCK HIT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE STAR CRACK THAT SPREAD TO A 24 INCH CRACK WITHIN MINUTES. THE CARS WINDSHIELD IS NOW OBSTRUCTED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM REPORTING HERE AFTER READING ABOUT COUNTLESS WINDSHIELD FAILURES ON 2015 SUBARU OUTBACKS THAT SUGGEST SUBPAR GLASS OR A DEFECT IN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE CHASSIS THAT IS CAUSING THE GLASS TO STRESS CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #10748301
250 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Equipment Adaptive/mobility
DOOR LOCKS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR REMAIN UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING, UNLESS SOMEONE REMEMBERS TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING, CHILDREN COULD OPEN DOOR, PEOPLE COULD BE THROWN OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE OF UNLOCKED INSECURE DOORS ETC. BUT ALSO AIDS THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT …
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DOOR LOCKS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR REMAIN UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING, UNLESS SOMEONE REMEMBERS TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING, CHILDREN COULD OPEN DOOR, PEOPLE COULD BE THROWN OUT OF VEHICLE BECAUSE OF UNLOCKED INSECURE DOORS ETC. BUT ALSO AIDS THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT BY ALLOWING THEM EASY ACCESS TO INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM ANY DOOR WHILE STOPPED (TRAFFIC LIGHT SHOPPING CENTER LOTS ETC.)
NHTSA ODI #10748151
10,950 miles · Aug 12, 2015
StructureVisibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN PARKING LOT. VERY LONG BREAK STARTING AT BASE AND CONTINUED HALFWAY UP THROUGH THE CENTER.
NHTSA ODI #10748058
41 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Visibility/wiper
WENT TO PICK UP MY BRAND NEW 2015 OUTBACK FROM THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THEY WILL BE REPLACING IT, BUT THIS CRACK IS IDENTICAL TO OTHERS DESCRIBED IN MANY COMPLAINTS. CRACK STARTED IN THE HEATED WIPER ELEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IS NOW ABOUT 12 INCHES IN LENGTH. SUBARU DEALER SAID THEY…
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WENT TO PICK UP MY BRAND NEW 2015 OUTBACK FROM THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THEY WILL BE REPLACING IT, BUT THIS CRACK IS IDENTICAL TO OTHERS DESCRIBED IN MANY COMPLAINTS. CRACK STARTED IN THE HEATED WIPER ELEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IS NOW ABOUT 12 INCHES IN LENGTH. SUBARU DEALER SAID THEY BELIEVE IT OCCURRED IN THEIR CAR WASH. LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT IS NOW OBVIOUS SUBARU 2015 OUTBACK WINDSHIELDS HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP.
NHTSA ODI #10746927
5,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Visibility/wiper
SPONTANEOUS CRACK STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS GROWING AND WE ARE TOLD THAT WARRANTY DOES NOT HANDLE WINDSHIELD CRACKS. WE HAVE TO PAY $250 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND THERE IS A 4-6 MONTH DELAY ON GETTING THE NEW GLASS BECAUSE…
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SPONTANEOUS CRACK STARTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS GROWING AND WE ARE TOLD THAT WARRANTY DOES NOT HANDLE WINDSHIELD CRACKS. WE HAVE TO PAY $250 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND THERE IS A 4-6 MONTH DELAY ON GETTING THE NEW GLASS BECAUSE OF BACKLOG...! THIS IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT INHIBITS OUR VISIBILITY AND WHO KNOWS WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF THERE IS A CRASH OF ANY KIND!
NHTSA ODI #10746589
5,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Unknown Or Other
NEW WINDSHIELD SUFFERED A MINOR ROCK IMPACT ON THE FREEWAY. THE CRACK PROPAGATED QUICKLY. THE WINDSHIELD REQUIRES REPLACEMENT, BUT THE SUBARU DEALERS SAY THERE IS A 3 MONTH BACKLOG!
NHTSA ODI #10745969
1,695 miles · Aug 1, 2015
Unknown Or Other
7/28/15 - I CAME OUT TO MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK AT THE END OF THE WORK DAY AND FOUND A "V" SHAPED CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD, APPROX 9-11 INCHES IN EACH DIRECTION, ORIGINATING BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS DEFECT IN THE GLASS SINCE THE TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS APPROX. 93 DEG. 7/29/15…
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7/28/15 - I CAME OUT TO MY 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK AT THE END OF THE WORK DAY AND FOUND A "V" SHAPED CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD, APPROX 9-11 INCHES IN EACH DIRECTION, ORIGINATING BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS DEFECT IN THE GLASS SINCE THE TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS APPROX. 93 DEG. 7/29/15 - I WENT TO THE NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND UPON INSPECTION BY THE SERVICE DEPT. WAS TOLD "A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD" WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. MY RESPONSE, "HOW COULD A ROCK HIT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WHERE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A ROCK HITTING IT?" THE COST TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD IS OVER $700.00, NOT COVERED BY SUBARU WARRANTY AND THE WINDSHIELDS ARE BACKLOGGED BY 4-6 WEEKS SINCE THERE NONE IN STOCK. I RETURNED HOME DISCOURAGED AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2015 WINDSHIELDS CRACKING. 7/30/15 - I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR, ARMED WITH 19 PAGES OF WINDSHIELD COMPLAINTS. THE SERVICE DEPT REP INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD AND ALSO SAID "A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD" BUT SAID THIS IS COMMON OCCURRENCE, WINDSHIELDS WERE IN SCARCE SUPPLY AND NOT COVERED BY SUBARU WARRANTY. HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE LAST WINDSHIELD THEY HAD IN STOCK AND RESERVED IT SO I NOW HAVE A REPAIR DATE IN A WEEK. I AM STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE $700.00 WHETHER IT IS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS COMPREHENSIVE OR CASH OUT OF POCKET. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE REP ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT, THICKNESS OF THE GLASS AND THE HEATING ELEMENT UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER AND OTHER VEHICLES HIT BY SMALL PEBBLES WHERE "PITTING" WOULD OCCUR BUT NOT CRACKING WHEN HIT. AS A GOOD SERVICE REP, HIS ANSWERS WERE EVASIVE BUT EMPATHETIC, WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS BEING IGNORED BY SUBARU. I WAS ASSURED, THOUGH, IF IN THE FUTURE, SUBARU WERE TO HAVE A RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD, I WOULD BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA ODI #10745587
6,233 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other
CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED OVER THE WEEKEND. STARTED IN THE LOWER CORNER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND SPREAD ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY TO DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #10745034
3,900 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Visibility/wiper
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR OUTBACK AROUND TOWN WHEN SHE NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE CENTER WINDSHIELD, JUST BELOW THE MIRROR ATTACHMENT POINT. SHE DID NOT RECALL ANY MAJOR STONE OR GRAVEL HITS (OTHER THAN THE USUAL DUST/DEBRIS ON NEW ENGLAND ROADS). LATER THAT DAY THE CRACK HAD SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 6" AND THEN THREE DAYS LATE…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR OUTBACK AROUND TOWN WHEN SHE NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE CENTER WINDSHIELD, JUST BELOW THE MIRROR ATTACHMENT POINT. SHE DID NOT RECALL ANY MAJOR STONE OR GRAVEL HITS (OTHER THAN THE USUAL DUST/DEBRIS ON NEW ENGLAND ROADS). LATER THAT DAY THE CRACK HAD SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 6" AND THEN THREE DAYS LATER (IN THE INTERIM, SHE WENT INTO LABOR AND HAD A BABY), THE CRACK HAD EXPANDED TO NEARLY THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED BOTH THE DEALER AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. AS IS STATED ELSEWHERE ON THE NTSB COMPLAINT SITE, THE ONLY WINDSHIELDS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2015 OUTBACK ARE FACTORY, OEM UNITS - WHICH ARE ON BACK ORDER FROM MOST DEALERS AND GLASS REPLACEMENT COMPANIES. GIVEN THE OVERALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT WINDSHIELD CRACKING (BOTH HERE AND AVAILABLE THROUGH VARIOUS OTHER AUTOMOTIVE SITES), I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD WORK TO FIX AN OBVIOUS ISSUE WITH THE GLASS.
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.
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