AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2010 BMW 135I
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 BMW 135I, most frequently naming the fuel system, airbags and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 111 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2010 | 2 | 2 |
| May 2010 | 2 | 4 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 7 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 8 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 9 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 10 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 12 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 13 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 14 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 15 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system853.3%
- Airbags213.3%
- Electrical213.3%
- Visibility213.3%
- Other / unspecified16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE WIRING GOING TO THE BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2010 BMW 135I IS MELTED. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND THE BLOWER MOTOR STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE HEAT ON AT THE TIME. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS RECALL 17V-676 WHICH COVERS THE BMW 3 SERIES FROM THE SAME YEAR BUT NOT THE 1 SERIES WHICH USES THE SAME PARTS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11063922
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2017
- Mileage
- 79,862 mi
SUNROOF EXPLODED/SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE AT 45 MPH.
- NHTSA ID
- 11039786
- Incident
- Oct 16, 2017
- Mileage
- 53,400 mi
TAKATA RECALL-- I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016 NOTIFYING ME OF THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. IT STATED THAT REPAIR TIME WAS UNKNOWN AS YET. I CALLED OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER, BMW OF COLUMBIA, COLUMBIA, SC, RECENTLY AND WAS TOLD NO REPAIR CAN BE SCHEDULED YET. I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS CA RAND UPSET THEY CAN IGNORE THE DANGER.
- NHTSA ID
- 10875975
- Incident
- Mar 15, 2016
- Mileage
- 34,000 mi
ON NOVEMBER 6, 2015, WHEN I TURNED ON MY CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT OF MY CAR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I DROVE THE CAR FOR 40 MINUTES AND THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I ASKED MY SPOUSE TO SEAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER ON NOVEMBER 7, 2015 AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAR NEEDED THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT DETECTS SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, WHICH IS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. IN 2008 & 2013, BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS. THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ON MARCH 31, 2015, BMW DECIDED TO EXPAND RECALLS 08V-384 AND 13V-564 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT ON ADDITIONAL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
- NHTSA ID
- 10789036
- Incident
- Nov 7, 2015
- Mileage
- 82,666 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATING THE REAR DEFROSTER, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10671989
- Incident
- Jan 11, 2015
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES CHATTERS AND DOES NOT CLEAR THE RAIN! ON 2010 BMW X6 VIN #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10394073
- Incident
- Feb 8, 2011
CAR LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10376464
- Incident
- Jan 12, 2011
- Mileage
- 7,500 mi
2010 BMW 135I PURCHASED LATE APRIL...3000 MILES WHEN PROBLEM STARTED...THE CAR TOOK LONGER THAN NORMAL TO START...WHILE IN TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA...EXPERIENCED LOSE OF POWER OR STALL...SPITTING AND SPUTTERING TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD...CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED THE HPFP AND RE-FLASHED THE COMPUTER...SINCE THEN I HAVE TURBO-LAG AND STRANGE NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD...THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT IS FINE, BUT THE LOWER PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW PROGRAM IS UNACCEPTABLE...I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE PERFORMANCE AND TO DUMB DOWN THE COMPUTER TO KEEP FROM REPLACING OTHER COMPONENTS IS WRONG...FIX THE PROBLEM FOR REAL AND THERE WOULD BE NO ISSUE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10370498
- Incident
- Oct 15, 2010
- Mileage
- 3,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon? (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If theignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.