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2017 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 71 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports1 fire reports29 injury reports

What owners actually said

178 reports
43,000 miles · Oct 22, 2019
Visibility/wiper

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2017 COROLLA AND I AGREE WITH 2 OTHERS THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS EXTREMELY ANGLED IN TOWARD THE CAR AND REFLECTS THE DASHBOARD IN THE WINDOW. THE DASHBOARD IS LIKE A MIRROR AND THE VENTILATION LEVERS THAT RUN ALONG THE DASH REFLECT IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDOW AND THUS CUT OFF …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2017 COROLLA AND I AGREE WITH 2 OTHERS THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS EXTREMELY ANGLED IN TOWARD THE CAR AND REFLECTS THE DASHBOARD IN THE WINDOW. THE DASHBOARD IS LIKE A MIRROR AND THE VENTILATION LEVERS THAT RUN ALONG THE DASH REFLECT IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDOW AND THUS CUT OFF VISIBILITY. I HAVE TO WEAR SUNGLASSES WHENEVER I DRIVE IT AND EVEN SO, NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO HIT A PEDESTRIAN ETC. I CALLED TOYOTA NATIONAL BUT TINA C. (CASE #1910213249) DENIED HAVING ANY KNOWLEDGE OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. VERY DANGEROUS FEATURE AND AFTER BEING A LIFE-LONG TOYOTA OWNER, I AM READY TO SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11270207

19,000 miles · Sep 20, 2019
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11256866

40,000 miles · Sep 19, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED RELEASING AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF TOXIC DUST INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE FOOT AIR BA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED RELEASING AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF TOXIC DUST INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE FOOT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FRACTURING HER RIGHT HEEL SEVERAL PLACES AS WELL AS BURNS ON BOTH WRISTS THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO HER DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAUSING QUESTIONS AS TO WHY THE DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT WHERE IT WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *PM *DL

NHTSA ODI #11256663

72,310 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, IF IT HITS A LEVEL OR DOWN HILL IT APPEARS TO DOWN SHIFT, BUT CONTINUE TO SPEED UP. IT SHOULD JUST REDUCE THE FUEL TO SLOW DOWN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROGRAM PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. IT WAS BOUGHT USED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. I HAVE NOT ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT YET.

NHTSA ODI #11245122

5,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

LANE DEPARTURE ALERT & PRE COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT KEEP ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN WILL TURN OFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS ALSO AFFECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ABS SYSTEM. I NOTICED THAT IT AFFECTS WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP …

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LANE DEPARTURE ALERT & PRE COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT KEEP ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN WILL TURN OFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS ALSO AFFECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ABS SYSTEM. I NOTICED THAT IT AFFECTS WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND ACT LIKE IT IS OUT OF GEAR. ALMOST LIKE IT IS POSSESSED. IT'S BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY WILL FIX IT TEMPORARILY AND THEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. THIS PAST TIME HAS BEEN THE WORST AS IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED AND IT IS ACTUALLY AFFECTING THE STEERING AS WELL AS THE BREAKING AND EFFICIENT RUNNING OF THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA ODI #11245099

50,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringWheels

WHEN PURCHASING THE CAR AND LEAVING THE CAR LOT I HEARD A GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE WHICH SOUNDS JUST LIKE BRAKE PADS BEING WORN AS WELL AS ROTORS. I CONTACTED THE CAR LOT AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FROM RUST WHERE IT HAD SIT. THEY HAD ME TAKE IT TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT AND THEY EVALUATED STATING IT WAS RUST. I STILL HEAR THE RUBBIN…

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WHEN PURCHASING THE CAR AND LEAVING THE CAR LOT I HEARD A GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE WHICH SOUNDS JUST LIKE BRAKE PADS BEING WORN AS WELL AS ROTORS. I CONTACTED THE CAR LOT AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS FROM RUST WHERE IT HAD SIT. THEY HAD ME TAKE IT TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT AND THEY EVALUATED STATING IT WAS RUST. I STILL HEAR THE RUBBING OR LOUDNESS AFTER THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. PLEASE RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11209009

50,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A DOWNGRADE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND SET TO 65MPH, THE CVT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO WELL OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL. I HAD TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ORDER TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO BELOW THE PO…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A DOWNGRADE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND SET TO 65MPH, THE CVT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO WELL OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL. I HAD TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ORDER TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. I TRIED IT AGAIN ON ANOTHER DOWNGRADE AND THE SAME SITUATION WAS DUPLICATED. THE CAR WILL ALSO ENGAGE RPMS WHEN YOU ARE DOWNGRADING OR UPGRADING IN CRUISE CONTROL I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALER SINCE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIPS WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11209005

18,415 miles · May 2, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN YOU PUSH THE SPORTS BUTTON THAT GIVES IT SPEED YOU DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLADH. THEN THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 30MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FRED HESS DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. BUT IT WILL STILL DO IT. SO I STOPPED USING IT. I ONLY HAVE 20K MILES ON THE CAR. SO IT'S DA…

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WHEN YOU PUSH THE SPORTS BUTTON THAT GIVES IT SPEED YOU DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLADH. THEN THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 30MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FRED HESS DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. BUT IT WILL STILL DO IT. SO I STOPPED USING IT. I ONLY HAVE 20K MILES ON THE CAR. SO IT'S DANGEROUS IF YOUR ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11205141

42,002 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SANSONE AUTO MALL (LOCATED AT 90-100 US HIGHWAY 1, AVENEL, NJ 07001, (866) 809-9999) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE CONTACT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SANSONE AUTO MALL (LOCATED AT 90-100 US HIGHWAY 1, AVENEL, NJ 07001, (866) 809-9999) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,002. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS BENT. *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #11195597

34,423 miles · Mar 21, 2019
Power Train

TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN JSD. UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED DEALERS THERE IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, AS AN OWNER I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA IS ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY DISASSEMBL…

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TOYOTA SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN JSD. UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED DEALERS THERE IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, AS AN OWNER I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT OPERATE SMOOTHLY WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA IS ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY DISASSEMBLING THE CVT TRANSMISSION TO CHECK FOR PROBLEMS\UNNECESSARY WEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, SO OWNERS WILL BE COVERED IN THE LIKELY EVENT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS BREAK IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. APPEARS TOYOTA IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY BY NOT ISSUING A RECALL, AND JUST TRYING AN INEXPENSIVE AND INADEQUATE SOFTWARE UPDATE WITH INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE PROBLEM HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11190520

Official recalls

3

20V024000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Jan 17, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 28, 2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 2, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

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

2

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.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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