Investigations
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25018 — open, opened 2025-10-28 and involving the HONDA ODYSSEY.
NHTSA investigation PE25018 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2025-10-28 and currently open. The subject of record is HONDA ODYSSEY, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2025-10-28 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE25018 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments rel..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related HONDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags in model year (MY) 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). The complaints allege that the inadvertent deployments occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Consumers allege no warning prior to air bag deployment. Some allegations state that the deployment(s) occurred after traveling over a pothole or similar roadway feature. Inadvertent deployment of air bags while a vehicle is in motion can lead to injury of vehicle occupants or driver distraction, which may result in a collision. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other HONDA Investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Rear-View Camera Failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.