I HAVE HAD THREE SIZABLE CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD SINCE 2017, WITH THE MOST RECENT FAIRLY LARGE WHICH WILL PROBABLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE OTHER TWO CRACKS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN ALL CASES, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE DANGER ( IE. FOLLOWING A TRUCK) . THEY A…
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I HAVE HAD THREE SIZABLE CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD SINCE 2017, WITH THE MOST RECENT FAIRLY LARGE WHICH WILL PROBABLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE OTHER TWO CRACKS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN ALL CASES, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE DANGER ( IE. FOLLOWING A TRUCK) . THEY ALL OCCURRED ON TWO LANE ROADS TRAVELING AT OR UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT.
NHTSA ODI #11415190
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2021
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERAT…
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MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERATURE. ALSO, NO EQUIPMENT OR PEOPLE AROUND WHO COULD HAVE SEEMED TO 'TOSSED' ANYTHING AT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ON THE INTERIOR LAYER OF THE WINDSHEILD AND NOT THE OUTTER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES NOW WHERE MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY DIED WITHOUT ANY ITEMS BEING LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. FIRST TIME WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF ONLY A HOUR OR SO AND COMPLETELY DEAD. I REPLEACED THE BATTERY AND AT THAT POINT THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY AND SYSTEMS TESTED ALL FINE BUT IT WAS SO DEAD, POWER LOCKS WOULDNT WORK WITH THE KEY FOB.
NHTSA ODI #11413024
26,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Visibility/wiper
THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD, I WATCHED THE CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD JUST AS FAST AS IT HAPPENED. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, IT SEEMED EACH ROCK THAT HIT MY WINDSHIELD TURNED INTO A FULL-LENGTH CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #11413000
39,380 miles · Apr 11, 2021
Visibility/wiper
I BOUGHT THE CAR 25 JUNE 2020 AND 3 DAYS INTO IT I GOT A CHIP GOING THEU AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH I CALLED SAFELITE AND THE INS COMPANY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT OF NOWHERE I GET A CRACK COMING UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE GOING UP TO WIPER AREA THE CAR SAT FOR 2 DAYS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE I DROVE …
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I BOUGHT THE CAR 25 JUNE 2020 AND 3 DAYS INTO IT I GOT A CHIP GOING THEU AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH I CALLED SAFELITE AND THE INS COMPANY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT OF NOWHERE I GET A CRACK COMING UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE GOING UP TO WIPER AREA THE CAR SAT FOR 2 DAYS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE I DROVE MY OTHER VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS FLORIDA HEAT IS BRUTAL I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY WINDSHIELD YOU CANT SEE IT WELL UNLESS YOUR IN DRIVER SEAT OR CLEANING WINDSHIELD AD I AM OCD
NHTSA ODI #11407467
36,000 miles · Apr 10, 2021
Visibility/wiper
A MINOR ROCK HIT ON HIGHWAY CAUSES WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM FROM BOTTOM NEAR WIPERS ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE OF SCREEN.
NHTSA ODI #11407412
51,150 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Visibility/wiper
A CRACK FORMED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THERE WAS NO CHIP OR OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD FORM A CRACK. IT IS A BIG S-SHAPED CURVE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEET THE ROOF DOWN TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHI…
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A CRACK FORMED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THERE WAS NO CHIP OR OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD FORM A CRACK. IT IS A BIG S-SHAPED CURVE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEET THE ROOF DOWN TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 6 WEEKS FROM A PRIOR CHIP AND CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #11407224
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2021
Visibility/wiper
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT DEVELOPED RANDOM SMALL CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD IN 4 DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I NOTICED SPECS ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD NOT COME OFF UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE TINY CHIPS IN THE GLASS. I HAVE NO …
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT DEVELOPED RANDOM SMALL CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD IN 4 DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I NOTICED SPECS ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD NOT COME OFF UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE TINY CHIPS IN THE GLASS. I HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THOSE GOT THERE I WAS NOT IMPACTED BY ANYTHING FLYING AT MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX ONE CHIP THAT GOT BIG ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CRACK THE OTHER 3 I WAS TOLD BY THE SAFELIGHT EMPLOYEE THAT I WOULD GET LOTS OF THEM AND I DIDN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY CHIPPED OR CRACKED DEEPER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE SUBARU GLASS IS VERY THIN AND CHIPS AND CRACKS EASILY HE HAS MANY SUBARU'S THAT COME IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE WAY THE CHIPS ARE STARTING OUT VERY TINY AND HOW THEY ARE SPACED OUT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING SUBARU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE AND RECALL AND REPLACE. MY HUSBAND JUST PURCHASED A CROSS TREK AND NO SURPRISE AFTER INSPECTING HIS WINDSHIELD WE FOUND TWO VERY TINY SMALL CHIPS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON HIS WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD TO TRY AND KEEP MY WINDSHIELD COOL AND OUT OF THE SUN TO TRY AND PREVENT ANYMORE CHIPPING OR CRACKING. IF I HAD KNOWN THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAD THIS DEFECT I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11406932
70,000 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDOW CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE STARTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDOW. THERE ARE ALSO MULTIPLE CRACKS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WINDOWS.
NHTSA ODI #11406699
32,600 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Visibility/wiper
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 02/09/2021. ON 03/31/2021 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON FURTHER EXPLORATION, I NOTICED THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE TOP-CENTER, DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES AND THEN ANOTHER 6 INCHES TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE …
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 02/09/2021. ON 03/31/2021 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON FURTHER EXPLORATION, I NOTICED THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE TOP-CENTER, DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES AND THEN ANOTHER 6 INCHES TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH OR ACCIDENT IN THE SIX WEEKS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #11405887
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2021
Visibility/wiper
DRIVEN THE 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN THE MORNING TO WORK AND PARKED IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE. NOTICED A BIG CRACK ON THE UPPER MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN GETTING BACK TO THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT TIME.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:knee Bolster
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Steering:column
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Suspension
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
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.
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