NHTSA recall 17E034000 · Equipment
Air bags
The defect
Takata Corporation (Takata) has determined that certain PSDI-5 driver frontal air bag inflators that use calcium sulfate as a desiccant may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling. These inflators were assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment, such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags. This recall is not for all desiccated PSAN inflators; rather it relates to a subset containing calcium sulfate.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Takata will be working with vehicle manufacturers to determine into which vehicles the affected inflators were installed either as original or replacement equipment during service. As this work progresses, various vehicle recalls will likely be announced by the impacted vehicle manufacturers. NHTSA will supply this information as soon as possible.