2014 BMW 228I

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.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11673490

Incident

Jul 14, 2025

Horn failure. Took the car to an independent BMW repair shop and found a blown fuse and said both the high pitch and low pitch have gone bad and need replacement at a cost of $850!

NHTSA ID

11671345

Incident

Jun 11, 2025

Manufacturer has no updates on providing a repair for the recall they've issued for the Engine Coolant Pump.

NHTSA ID

11652438

Incident

Aug 13, 2024

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Highly disappointed in BMW for a severe safety issue. My pregnant wife was driving this car. The plastic fuel tank started leaking which was very very scary. There is no sensor or alert on the car to notify of this. Our mechanic suggested that this was a manufacturing problem. There was no damage to the car (e.g. no accident or bump). This was apparently a spontaneous failure caused by poor manufacturing and design quality. This is a dangerous condition. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Fuel was leaking out of the vehicle and it could have easily started a fire with passengers inside or bystanders nearby. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This issue was confirmed as a known problem by BWM. I cannot explain why they did not send notification to owners - this is clearly a safety issue. I called the dealership in Irvine CA and they gave me the runaround. I brought the car to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel tank was leaking through a poor weld (its plastic). Once the issue was confirmed I called the BMW dealer again. They again gave me the runaround. Later I discovered there was a "warranty extension" issued. I submitted a reimbursement request for the $1300 repair but BWM denied it. They say the repair was completed in October 2022, but they won't pay for repairs made after April 2022. This is nonsense. NTSB should intervene. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I saved the tank and have photos. BMW did not take responsibility and the tank was eventually discarded. BMW confirmed that they are aware of this safety issue. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None. BMW did not notify customers.

NHTSA ID

11625039

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

I OWN A 2014 228I COUPE, BUILD DATE 03/2014 - THE BOLTS SECURING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO THE RACK HAVE SNAPPED LEADING TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS CONSISTENT WITH: BMW TIS SERVICE BULLETIN # SI B01 26 18 I CALLED BMW TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BULLETIN DESCRIBES MY CAR AS BEING EFFECTED, MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE PART SPECIFIC EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. MY PART NUMBER, LOCATION, SYMPTOMS, FAILURE TYPE, CAR MAKE MODEL AND BUILD DATE ALL MATCH THE CRITERIA FOR THE PART SPECIFIC EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FIRST BOLT FAILED IN MAY 2019, THE SECOND BOLT THAT I CAN SEE SOMETIME IN APRIL OR MAY 2020. THE CAR CAN CURRENTLY STEER, BUT WITH A LOT OF NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, AND WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE STOPPED IN MY DRIVEWAY, ABOUT TO PULL OUT. I HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BMW BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE THAT MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BEFORE I DO. *TR

NHTSA ID

11323356

Incident

May 3, 2020

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 228I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED STATING THAT A FAILURE OCCURRED AND TO PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,500. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10760994

Incident

Aug 28, 2015

Mileage

16,500 mi

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL A SUV THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANE ROAD TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE OTHER TWO SUV'S IN FRONT OF ME WERE FORCED TO HIT THEIR BRAKES HARD. FROM A SPEED OF 35 MPH AND A FOLLOWING DISTANCE OF FOUR CAR LENGTHS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER THE CAR STILL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OTHER THAN FOR THE SLIGHT BIT FROM GOING UP HILL. I WAS FORCED TO FULLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. MOMENTS LATER I IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE THIRD CAR THAT HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT MY CAR REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THE FRONT END. THE TWO CARS IN FRONT WERE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED THE BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10630202

Incident

Jul 23, 2014

Mileage

30 mi

Bowden Cable Outer Return

Right Tie Rod Return

Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date

Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date

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.

At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.