2014 BMW 320XI

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.

PURCHASED 4 COOPER EVOLUTION TOUR ALL SEASON TIRES (225 50 17 94V). DOT U940 1LT 4119 IN NOVEMBER 2019. TIRES DO NOT MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE. TIRES REQUIRE MORE AIR WITHIN 2-4 DAYS. SIDEWALLS BULGE WHEN FULLY INFLATED CAUSING TIRES TO LOOK UNDER INFLATED BUT LOSE AIR PRESSURE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, ROLLING EFFECT WHEN TURNING CORNERS AT LIGHT TO MODERATE SPEEDS. PLEASE PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. MOST RECENT INCIDENT NOTED IN APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE RELATED TO LOST OF AIR PRESSURE

NHTSA ID

11298031

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 320XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/05/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10958974

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

I AM A WIDOW WITH TWO CHILDREN AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE AIRBAG RECALL AND THE INJURIES AND DEATHS IT HAS CAUSED. I WAS NOTIFIED IN FEBRUARY BUT THE PART HAS NEVER BEEN AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

10916220

Incident

Feb 1, 2015

THIS BMW HAS APPROXIMATELY 16000 MILES ON IT (WAS PURCHASED LAST YEAR). CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN FIRST TIME THAT DAY. CAR WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION. WHEN LIGHT CHANGED AND GAS WAS PRESSED, THE CAR MADE A STUTTERING NOISE AND MOVED A FEW FEET AND STOPPED. THE DASHBOARD INDICATED DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED AWAY TO A BMW DEALER. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF BACK AND FORTH ABOUT SOFTWARE RESET ETC, THE DEALER WORKED WITH BMW TO DETERMINE THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS AS THE CAR WAS IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. IT IS SURPRISING THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED THIS EARLY IN THE CAR'S LIFE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REASSURE US BY SAYING THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN PEOPLE THINK (WHICH MADE US EVEN MORE CONCERNED).

NHTSA ID

10809596

Incident

Nov 30, 2015

Mileage

16,000 mi

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

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.

BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE