2006 BMW 325

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 OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE RADIATOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A FUEL STATION, ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR, AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE CONTACT DROVE TO PETER PAN BMW (1625 ADRIAN RD, BURLINGAME, CA 94010) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW RADIATOR WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON JUNE 19, 2019 BY THE SAME DEALER PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11230540

Incident

Jun 19, 2019

Mileage

136,000 mi

I WAS TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL A REMEMBER WAS AVAILABLE BUT I'M PREGNANT AND NOW THESE ISSUES HAVE GOTTEN WORSE AND ARE MORE IMPERATIVE MY CAR IS NOW SMOKING AS I DRIVE THE POWER STEERING IS NOW AFFECTED I JUST PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IT STOPPED RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ALL ISSUES WHICH ARENT ACCEPTABLE PERIOD BUT ARE WORSE GIVEN MY CURRENT PHYSICAL STATE

NHTSA ID

11091982

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICED IN DECEMBER 2017 FROM BMW STATING THAT THERE WAS A DANGER THAT THE CAR COULD CATCH FIRE. 6 MONTHS LATER I AM STILL WAITING. IT WAS RECOMMENDED NOT TO PARK IN THE GARAGE UNTIL REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11091473

Incident

Dec 17, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED THE NOTICE IN MARCH 2016 REGARDING SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT BMW IS READY TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. I CALLED A BMW DEALER SEVERAL WEEKS AGO TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF REMEDY. DATE ENTERED BELOW IS APPROXIMATE AS THE LETTER ONLY REFERENCES THE MONTH AND YEAR.

NHTSA ID

10936700

Incident

Mar 15, 2016

WAS HAVING A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CODES POP UP AND MY VEHICLE. INCLUDING THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALUMINATE. I POPPED THE TRUNK TO FIND THE BATTERY TERMINAL MELTED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON BATTERY TERMINALS. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL IF SHE FROM CARS 2007 TO 2011 MY 2006 BMW EXHIBITS THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT.

NHTSA ID

10916014

Incident

Oct 13, 2016

Mileage

171,000 mi

FOOT WELL MODULE AND JUNCTION BOX ELECTRICAL SHORT. SOME LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF THE CAR IS OFF SOME SIGNALS DONT WORK, ONE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK, REAR WINDOWS WORK SOMETIMES AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDO DOES NOT WORK A ALL, ECT

NHTSA ID

10862431

Incident

Mar 19, 2016

Mileage

108,000 mi

INTERMITTENT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR SAYS AIR BAG IS DISABLED. SEEMS LIKE SAME ISSUE AS PREVIOUS NHSTA CAMPAIGN 13V-564 BUT THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS CURRENTLY COVERED. PLEASE EXPAND RECALL TO INCLUDE MY VIN.

NHTSA ID

10837211

Incident

Feb 19, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

FIND ENGINE OIL LEAKING ON FLOOR AND SMILE OIL BURNING. THEN, FIND A BOLT FOR ENGINE VALVE COVER IS BROKEN. IT MAKE CATCHING FIRE!!!

NHTSA ID

10819254

Incident

Dec 15, 2015

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.

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.