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2018 Toyota Corolla

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 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

73 reports with mileage · 60 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

133 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Had a recall on the fuel system causing the system to potentially stall the vehicle. Had the car service but still when doing cruise control its still doing the same thing by reving the engine to high on RPM to potentially stall the vehicle. Potential safety problem

NHTSA ODI #11450905

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceFuel/propulsion System

While driving the car started to sputter like it was going to die. When I stopped to gas the next day a gush of air came out of the gas tank when I took the cap off. I put gas in and then my car wouldn’t start. For 3 hours I tried and finally it started. Now I can have in park and it revs clear to the 5 sometimes then it starts …

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While driving the car started to sputter like it was going to die. When I stopped to gas the next day a gush of air came out of the gas tank when I took the cap off. I put gas in and then my car wouldn’t start. For 3 hours I tried and finally it started. Now I can have in park and it revs clear to the 5 sometimes then it starts sputtering. Every time I put gas in I have to sit for 3 hours then it starts. The trac off light on the dash is on as well so nothing works the lane control, cruise control, the emergency brake system.

NHTSA ODI #11446498

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

While driving at 55 mph, cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the cruise control disengaged, the engine light came on and the traction control disengaged warning was displayed. The vehicle continued operating. After engine fault code stated there was a Mass Airflow Sensor fault. Owner replaced the sensor. Two…

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While driving at 55 mph, cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the cruise control disengaged, the engine light came on and the traction control disengaged warning was displayed. The vehicle continued operating. After engine fault code stated there was a Mass Airflow Sensor fault. Owner replaced the sensor. Two weeks later, the situation repeated, this time the fault read as an oxygen sensor error. After a day or two, the fault would clear, only to repeat a week or two later. Then, on Dec. 31, the vehicle completely stalled at highway speeds. It would restart, but if the rpms exceeded 2,500 it would stall again. Trying to get an appointment with the dealership, but will have to wait until after the New Year for them to open again.

NHTSA ODI #11445768

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The driver door will no longer open from the inside. As a driver door this door does not have child safety lock nor should it have one. This makes exiting the car very difficult under normal situations and prevents exiting the car in the event of an emergency. I had a mechanic dissemble the door and the mechanic discovered that …

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The driver door will no longer open from the inside. As a driver door this door does not have child safety lock nor should it have one. This makes exiting the car very difficult under normal situations and prevents exiting the car in the event of an emergency. I had a mechanic dissemble the door and the mechanic discovered that the door handle mechanism had failed internally so that the interior door handle was no longer connected internally to the door opening mechanism. The only way to exit the vehicle is to either crawl to another door or to roll down the windows (which requires electric power to be available). This problem occurred suddenly without any warning.

NHTSA ODI #11443984

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2021
Service Brakes

UNKNOWN BRAKE FAILURE AFTER SLOW SPEED STOP (LOCK UP)

NHTSA ODI #11434967

76,000 miles · Aug 31, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while coming out of a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and functionality was regained. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Cam…

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The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while coming out of a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and functionality was regained. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V012000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. Consumer stated engine light and "Traction Control Turned Off" warning while vehicle was still moving, then "Charging System Malfunction" and "Oil Pressure Low/Stop in a Safe Place" warning lights appeared at the same time the vehicle stalled.

NHTSA ODI #11431254

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2021
Seats

2018 Toyota Corolla - Front drivers seat is making clicking noises while driving. I believe seat is not properly secured and may be unsafe to drive. Car was under the Manufactures warranty when taken into Bill Kidds Toyota for service. Service manager was able to duplicate clicking noise while test driving car. Bill Kidds Toyota…

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2018 Toyota Corolla - Front drivers seat is making clicking noises while driving. I believe seat is not properly secured and may be unsafe to drive. Car was under the Manufactures warranty when taken into Bill Kidds Toyota for service. Service manager was able to duplicate clicking noise while test driving car. Bill Kidds Toyota refuse to investigate any further. I went on-line and found similar complaints to my vehicles problem. One person stated the problem is with the seat track not being secured properly. I reached out to Toyota Motors to file a formal complaint, and they referred me back to the dealership. Dealership is refusing service. I think this may not be an isolated issue with the 2018 Corolla. I would like Toyota to further investigate and force dealership to properly inspect my seat which was under warranty at time of original complaint. Thank You.

NHTSA ODI #11423130

25 miles · Mar 1, 2021
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemFireInjury

MY CAR HAD EARLY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS WITHIN ONLY THE SECOND YEAR. IT HAD STOPPED TWO TIMES. IF THIS CAR STOPS BEFORE THE 18,000 OR LEMON LAW RETURN IT. I THEN WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT HAD 3 RECALLS. MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY STILL DRIVEABLE. I ALSO WANT TO DISCLOSE THAT I DEALL WITH ENVIROMENTAL ALLERGIES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED SEVERAL TI…

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MY CAR HAD EARLY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS WITHIN ONLY THE SECOND YEAR. IT HAD STOPPED TWO TIMES. IF THIS CAR STOPS BEFORE THE 18,000 OR LEMON LAW RETURN IT. I THEN WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT HAD 3 RECALLS. MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY STILL DRIVEABLE. I ALSO WANT TO DISCLOSE THAT I DEALL WITH ENVIROMENTAL ALLERGIES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALLS WERE FIXED WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND AIR BAG I STARTED TO BECOME EXTREMLY ILL . I EVER PURCHASED A VOC MONITOR AND WAS ABLET TO DETECT GAS AT DANGEROUS LEVELS. MY DEALER TOYOTA BOWIE AND THE MANUFACTURER DID LITTLE TO NOTHING TO ACCOMODATE ME. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN, OR A CAR PERIOD UNLESS I CAN PAY FOR IT IN CASH UPFRONT. THE VEHICLES VOC TURNED DANGEROUS AFTER TURNING ON THE CAR FOR 10MINUTES STRAIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11398510

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2021
Fuel System, GasolineFire

2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11394237

24,000 miles · Nov 25, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEV SMITH TOYOTA, 3350 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, WHERE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED AN HOUR LATER AFTER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEV SMITH TOYOTA, 3350 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, WHERE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED AN HOUR LATER AFTER SHE LEFT THE DEALER, TWO MILES DOWN THE ROAD DRIVING AT 34 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATED TO 15-19 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED BACK THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING BACK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WAIT FOR THE DEALER TECHNICIAN TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN HAD SPRAYED A SUBSTANCE ON THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE TO IGNITE INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO NEGLIGENT FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #11376278

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.

20V012000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 13, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

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.

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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