NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
239 reports1,000 miles · Feb 7, 2018
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DOES THIS ON A RANDOM BASIS IT IS TOO QUICK TO UPSHIFT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOG DOWN. -TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE TUCK TO LURCH FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. -SHIFTING FROM R TO D ON A HILL CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ROLL BACK AS IF THE TRUCK WAS IN NEUTRAL -IN GENERAL, THE TRANSMISSION IS INCONSISTENT IN OPERATION. IN…
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TRANSMISSION DOES THIS ON A RANDOM BASIS IT IS TOO QUICK TO UPSHIFT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOG DOWN. -TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE TUCK TO LURCH FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. -SHIFTING FROM R TO D ON A HILL CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ROLL BACK AS IF THE TRUCK WAS IN NEUTRAL -IN GENERAL, THE TRANSMISSION IS INCONSISTENT IN OPERATION. IN THE SAME SITUATION, IT MAY REACT DIFFERENTLY -DURING HARD ACCELERATION AFTER YOU LET UP ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE RPM'S WILL STAY HIGH AND SLOWLY COME BACK DOWN. IF YOU PRESS THE GAS AGAIN DURING THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV BUT THE TRUCK WON'T ACCELERATE OR WILL SLAM INTO A GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LURCH. IT ALSO DOES THIS RANDOMLY THE TRANSMISSION BEING SLOW TO DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR IT WOULD UPSHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING/MERGING RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN ACCELERATION.THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO "NOTICEABLY" DOWN SHIFT WHILE THE FOOT IS OFF THE ACCELERATOR RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN DECELERATION. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND NOW THE SHIFTING IS STARTING TO JOLT THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY SURGE HIGH IN RPMS THEN COME RIGHT BACK DOWN. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTING UNSAFE CONDITIONS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. 1ST TIME THEY TOPPED OFF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS IT WAS LOW FROM THE FACTORY. 2ND TIME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OTHERS WERE HAVING IT AS WELL AND THE TRANSMISSION ECU WAS RE-FLASHED. THIS STILL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK A 3RD TIME AND THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 2500 MILES ON IT. NOT SURE WHY YOU WOULD DESIGN A VEHICLE TO DO THIS. I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK IN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA OF ORANGE SAYS THE TRANSMISSION IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO...
NHTSA ODI #11071537
10,000 miles · Jan 23, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A SLOW SPEED TO A HIGHER SPEED ENTERING A HIGH SPEED ROAD. THE TRUCK FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR. I HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA SINCE ITS UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD I HAVE ONE OF …
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VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A SLOW SPEED TO A HIGHER SPEED ENTERING A HIGH SPEED ROAD. THE TRUCK FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR. I HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA SINCE ITS UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD I HAVE ONE OF SEVERAL TRUCKS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THIS COMPUTER ISSUE THE CAUSES THIS. I WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS BUT THEY COULD GET IT OPERATING CORRECTLY BUT ITS STILL NOT FIXED AND MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I MENTIONED I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. TOYOTA SAID THEY HAVE TO RELEASE THE CAR TO ME SINCE ITS OPERATING CORRECTLY NOW EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED. I LEARNED FROM THEM THEY HAVE MORE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION BUT DON'T HAVE ONE YET. THEY OFFER NO OTHER SOLUTION OR RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS RIGHT SINCE TO ME ITS MORE OF A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THEY SHOULD KEEP THE TRUCK UNTIL ITS FIXED AND LOAN ME A REPLACEMENT, OR THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY TRUCK WITH ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS SOFTWARE PROBLEM. I AM SHOCKED THEY WILL RELEASE A VEHICLE BACK WHILE STATING THEY KNOW THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER OF 1711171145 WITH TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND I WAS WORKING WITH PAM. I WAS ALSO WORKING THE MATT AT DESERT TOYOTA WHO RECEIVED ALL OF THIS INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #11064473
3,500 miles · Jan 17, 2018
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL HOWLING NOISE IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. ANDERSON WEBER TOYOTA LINCOLN (3450 CENTER GROVE DR, DUBUQUE, IA) CONFIRMED THE HOWLING NOISE IN THE CABIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL HOWLING NOISE IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. ANDERSON WEBER TOYOTA LINCOLN (3450 CENTER GROVE DR, DUBUQUE, IA) CONFIRMED THE HOWLING NOISE IN THE CABIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE WHO ALSO CONFIRMED THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. *TT *TR
NHTSA ODI #11063252
1,000 miles · Jan 14, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE ON TAKE OFF INITIALLY, IT ALSO JUMPS AS YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN ,COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. IT HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. IT IS DEFINITELY GETTING …
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THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE ON TAKE OFF INITIALLY, IT ALSO JUMPS AS YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN ,COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. IT HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. IT IS DEFINITELY GETTING WORSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
NHTSA ODI #11062727
800 miles · Jan 1, 2018
Power Train
THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL STARTED TO HOWL AND WHINE AT 800 MILES AND HAS STEADILY INCREASED IN SEVERITY AS I PUT MORE MILES ON IT. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A BEARING FAILING INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL. TOYOTA HAS BRUSHED THIS OFF. THEY HAVE NOT PHYSICALLY INSPECTED THE DIFFERENTIAL OR EVEN CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND PROVIDED NO ANSWER TO W…
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THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL STARTED TO HOWL AND WHINE AT 800 MILES AND HAS STEADILY INCREASED IN SEVERITY AS I PUT MORE MILES ON IT. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A BEARING FAILING INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL. TOYOTA HAS BRUSHED THIS OFF. THEY HAVE NOT PHYSICALLY INSPECTED THE DIFFERENTIAL OR EVEN CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND PROVIDED NO ANSWER TO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHAT IS KEEPING MY VEHICLE FROM NOT SEIZING UP ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF THE DIFFERENTIAL GRENADES WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS?
NHTSA ODI #11057863
1,000 miles · Dec 30, 2017
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU COME TO AN ABRUPT SLOWDOWN TO ROLLING THE TRUCK WILL SHUDDER, CLUNK INTO GEAR AND THEN WHEN ABOUT TO STOP WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHERE THE ABS ACTUATES DUE TO THE LUNGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE INFRONT. IN TH…
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WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU COME TO AN ABRUPT SLOWDOWN TO ROLLING THE TRUCK WILL SHUDDER, CLUNK INTO GEAR AND THEN WHEN ABOUT TO STOP WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHERE THE ABS ACTUATES DUE TO THE LUNGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE INFRONT. IN THE TOYOTA TACOMA FORUMS THERE ARE MANY WHOM EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE BUT TOYOTA SEEMS TO NOT RESOLVE IT.
NHTSA ODI #11057698
10,000 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash
12/9/17 THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY DRIVEWAY IS SLIGHTLY ON AN INCLINE AND THEN LEVELS OFF AT THE TOP I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND PROCEEDED UP THE DRIVEWAY WITH NO PROBLEM. I DEACTIVATED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND PLACED MY VEHICLE IN PARK W/O USING THE E BRAKE. I NEVER USE THE BRAKE WITH THIS…
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12/9/17 THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY DRIVEWAY IS SLIGHTLY ON AN INCLINE AND THEN LEVELS OFF AT THE TOP I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND PROCEEDED UP THE DRIVEWAY WITH NO PROBLEM. I DEACTIVATED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND PLACED MY VEHICLE IN PARK W/O USING THE E BRAKE. I NEVER USE THE BRAKE WITH THIS VEHICLE OR MY PRIOR VEHICLE A TUNDRA. TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER MY DAUGHTER INFORMS ME THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND OBSERVED MY VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE WAY STRIKING A TREE. WHEN I WENT TO INVESTIGATE I OBSERVED THAT MY VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. ALSO THERE WERE TIRE TREAD MARKS ON THE GRASS AND NOT SKID MARKS. QUESTION IS WHY BEING PARKED FOR OVER TWO HOURS THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA ODI #11057051
650 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RETRACT NO MATTER HOW THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO (231 LINCOLN PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92026) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RETRACT NO MATTER HOW THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO (231 LINCOLN PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92026) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650.
NHTSA ODI #11055400
2,375 miles · Dec 4, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 60 MPH FOR NO REASON. TACHOMETER STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON AS WELL. KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF WEEK. TOOK IT INTO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY IS…
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I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 60 MPH FOR NO REASON. TACHOMETER STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON AS WELL. KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF WEEK. TOOK IT INTO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE MY TRUCK BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD AT LEAST 6-7 OTHER NEW TACOMA'S THAT HAD THIS ISSUE ALREADY. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER ISSUE WITH 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA'S HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LEAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS, IF NOT LONGER BEFORE I BOUGHT MY TACOMA. HOWEVER, NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP DISCLOSED TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED MY TACOMA THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY TACOMA WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH UNTIL TOYOTA REPAIRED IT.
NHTSA ODI #11052289
28,000 miles · Nov 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS PULLING ACCROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY TRUCK COMPLETEY LOST POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I GOT A MESSAGE 'BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY' BUT THEY WERE NOT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11051108
Official recalls
5Nov 4, 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Apr 3, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. 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 J0K/JLD.
Dec 20, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. 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 load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
Jun 1, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine. The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0H.
Apr 27, 2017
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and gasket. If the rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0G.
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
1EA19001 · 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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