2011 Lexus ES350

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER WHEEL AND WITHIN SECONDS HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPING OVER. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE SLID ON THE WET ROADWAY DUE TO THE RAIN. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN HIP AND FACE LACERATION AS HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AS A CLAIM WAS FILED. HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. *DT

NHTSA ID

11348985

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

THIS WEB SITE (THE NHTSA) SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VIN, BUT TOYOTA/LEXUS SITE SAYS THERE IS, FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS MISLEADING INFORMATION ON A GOVERNMENT WEB SITE CAN BE DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11175933

Incident

Feb 9, 2019

Mileage

56,000 mi

N/A

NHTSA ID

11115902

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

1. BODY PAINT HAS DETERIORATED GREATLY ON ROOF, FRONT HOOD AND TRUNK, PICTURES ATTACHED. 2. LEATHER SEATS DETERIORATED. DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN VARIOUS PARTS. PASSENGER AND REAR SEATS ALSO DETERIORATING. PICTURES ATTACHED. DATE RECORDED ON THE WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN FIELD IS AN APPROXIMATE WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE IMPLICATION OF THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11083224

Incident

Jun 17, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - NO INCIDENT YET

NHTSA ID

11072916

Incident

Feb 14, 2018

Mileage

29,300 mi

EXPLODING SUNROOF

NHTSA ID

11065787

Incident

Apr 9, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE CALLED THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND SAYS PARTS AREN'T AVAILABLE

NHTSA ID

11047324

Incident

Jun 25, 2016

Mileage

56,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016. RECEIVED NO CONTACT FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT SCHEDULING REPAIRS. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN MARCH 2017. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS DUE TO LACK OF REPLACEMENT PARTS. MY VEHICLE IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION PUBLISHED REGARDING DEGRADATION OF THE ORIGINAL AIRBAGS, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE IS IN GREATER DANGER OF HAVING DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS AIRBAGS. AS A RESULT, I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT OR LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS COULD BE MADE TO MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL DEALER REPRESENTATIVE TO ARRANGE ONE, BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED THEREAFTER. MANUFACTURER CASE NUMBER IS 1701061699.

NHTSA ID

11046357

Incident

Mar 17, 2017

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022

DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022

CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Lexus stands behind the reliability of our vehicles